2004 MINICooper S windshield cracked from 1/32 inch "pit"...only 3,100 miles on car.

- Escondido, CA, USA

MINICooper S 2003 model purchased September 27, 2003 has developed a windshield crack near lower edge at center. Many MINIowners have experienced a similar crack, and MINIBMW refuses to acknowledge a problem here. At great majority of these cracks are occurring in one of three places. Cracks are happening repeatedly to some owners (3 new windshields in one year for at least one owner.) we would like MINIBMW to address this problem and to reimburse owners for cracked windshields not caused by accidents.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

A 1" long vertical fissure (crack) just appeared overnight on my 2003 MINICooper S while vehicle was in a single car garage (and I don't have kids or pets), and was visible on windshield the morning of Feb 11, 2004. On the evening of Feb 10, 2004, this crack was not there. The crack originated at the bottom of the windshield from below the area of the windshield that is exposed to road hazards like stones and rocks, and no such hazards have hit the windshield. The crack is growing each day like my vocabulary about this problem. It is now 8" long now after 1 week and has hung a left. I've read on numerous MINIowners forums online that this is a common problem with 2003 minis and that 2004 minis have addressed the problem.

- Shelton, CT, USA

Windshield cracked in lower center. Dealer claimed the crack was caused by a small chip in the glass. I could not see any chip in the galss. Dealer would not replace under warranty using guidlines set by the manufacture.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Cracked windshield that quickly grew to span across the entire windshield.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Windshield: Cracking because of frame stress, maybe induced by pin six rock strike.

- Reno, NV, USA

Windshield cracked three days after purchase. I don't remember any stone damage being done. When I washed my car (hot day), a crack developed in the mid-right bottom border of my windshield. I brought it in to the service department, and they told me it was stone damage.

- Rochester, MI, USA

2003 MINICooper S purchased new; at approx 4500 miles 6-inch crack appeared overnight in lower right corner of windshield. Vehicle was parked at the time and there was no visible damage anywhere on windshield. Since then, crack has progressed nearly to center of windshield. Took vehicle to dealer and was told that the crack was the result of a stone hitting the windshield. Service manager "proved" this by tracing crack with a ballpoint pen until it encountered a microscopic, nearly invisible "pit" along the crack. Dealer declined to replace under warranty. Personal opinion, supported by experience of other MINIowners: Stress crack probably caused by incorrect installation or underdesigned windshield. In any case, MINIhas been inconsistent in solution, replacing some customers' windshields under warranty and refusing to replace others, like mine.

- Smithfield, VA, USA

The windshield on my 2004 MINICooper S just got a stress crack today. This has been a problem since the minis introduction and was supposedly fixed with reinforced a pillars on 04S. It has about 2500 miles on it. Many MINIowners would like this problem to be resolved, permanently.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

Excessive pitting on windshield on a vehicle with less than 10,000 miles.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

The front windsheild cracked, extremely small chips on windsheild. Crack appears when car is parked for a week. I had huge rocks landed on my windshield before and nothing more than an extremely small chip, unlike other cars that are driven daily. I believe the crack is a stress crack and not caused by a rock. Many complaints where filed at www.minicooperonline.com in regards with this matter.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

The windshield on my 2003 MINIsuffered a 5 inch crack after being hit by a small pebble. The whole windshield had to be replaced because it wasn't repairable due 1-1/2 inches of it being subsurface. On my other cars, a 1993 Lexus LS400 and a 1993 Isuzu rodeo 4WD, neither car has ever suffered a cracked windshield due to a pebble hit. What's worse is the 2003 MINIwindshield cracked just 11 days after owning the car. The replacement was not covered by my aaa insurance.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Cracked windshield lower left corner of one week old car. Crack appeared while vehicle was parked in a parking lot. Long beach MINIdealer claims rock damage.

- San Gabriel, CA, USA

Windshield bullseye produced by very insignificant stone from roadway. Was shocked to see damage result from such a minor impact. Appears to be a recurring problem with these cars.

- Sugar Hill, GA, USA

I have a MINIcopper S and the windshield cracks very easy. I have talked to MINIusa, and they said that it is not their problem. But this has happen to so many MINIowner, I think that it is a MINIusa problem. Cause why would so many MINIwindshields crack all the time.

- Clifton, VA, USA

Windshields on MINICoopers cracking, chipping easy and frequently. I have had four windshields replaces in the last 8 months. 2 covered under warrantee for stress related cracks and two due to small rock strikes. I have neve been thru windshields like this before and feel that the construction and design of the MINIwindshield makes it substandard in protection.

- Corona, CA, USA

Numerous windsheild chips in less than 12,000 miles. I have never had a vehicle with a windshield that chips so easily. The smallest of debris will result in a significant chip. The windsheild has to be too weak. How can the windshield protect you when it is so weak. The first chip happened at about 800 miles another at about 8000 miles and the last at 11000 miles. The first one was "repaired" the next morning. But it is now spidering.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

The windshield on my 2003 MINIcopper S cracked right down the center when I sprayed it with a hose while washing it. This was not a high pressure hose, just a regular garden hose. I believe it was probably due to a temperature change. However, it was not a particularly hot day, being barely above 70 degrees. I have washed this car and all of my previous cars in weather hotter than that! additionally, a search of the web shows that others have been having problems with "stress" cracks with MINIwindshields. Anyway, I don't know if this represents a significant safety hazard, but it is certainly disturbing and (in my experience) very unusual.

- Los Gatos, CA, USA

Windshield cracked at 3 months usage and 4,000 miles on the car. I know this to be an inherent problem with the cooper and Cooper S as I have monitored the MINIcooper message board for well over a year now and have seen many failures posted(many of them multiple failures). Don't know how to get the company to address this problem as it monitors the message board continuously but has yet to offer owners any options for the poor quality of the vehicle glass.

- Madison Heights, MI, USA

Windshield cracked

- Flourtown, PA, USA