I recently caught a rock at the base of my windshield that has now ran almost to the top. I am getting conflicting reports as to whether this windshield can only be replaced by Infiniti (OEM) or if an auto glass shop can handle the job.

Part of the problem is that the windshield comes with a lane departure feature and a rain sensor feature. The vehicle also has blind spot warning, blind spot intervention and backup collision intervention, but I do not know if those are related to the windshield.

Can anyone offer any suggestions or past experience with replacing this type windshield? I received a quote from Safelite for about $1400 and from the dealership for about $2200. My insurance did not include glass breakage (my fault for trying to save a buck) so I am responsible for the deductible.

Most of the time Safelite will quote OEM glass, I've used them a couple of times and have had to specifically ask for generic glass after the first quote came back with OEM. So my guess is Safelite is quoting you OEM glass, especially at that price. Generic glass would probably run about $700

I have a 2017 QX50 that has all the same features you mentioned except for the rain sensing.

I got a big crack about 4 months after I bought it (thanks to the gravel the City of Houston put out on the freeways when we had ice/snow for a few days).

I went to a local repair shop in Spring and had it replaced for <$500 and have not had any problems. It did take longer than usual because they had to go to their warehouse to get the correct glass so that all the sensors would work properly.

Safeline is def on the higher end of quotes I've gotten and they seem to work well with insurance claims since the customer usually only plays the deductible.

They also will come to your work/house to do the work.

FYI, I had safelite replace my BMW windshield a few years ago with generic and the rain sensor wouldn't work. I don't need auto wipers, but the failure mode wiped out my interval wipers completely somehow. They promptly came back and replaced it with OEM for no additional cost and it worked as expected.

So if you try generic, make sure you get some sort of operational guarantee.

Go OEM on a QX80. Just trust me on these. I've seen way to many done poorly or future issues. Not really any American companies making after market glass for these and all the non-oem China crap will give you a headache on theses cars.

Also, there are a lot of moldings on top of windshield as well. Every time I see one of these replaced not at a dealership they bend these and they do not bend back flush. It'll look horrible. Also, 50% of the time your whole sensor system will fall off the windshield the follow summer because there is an OEM seal kit that needs to be replaced when you do the windshield. If that's not done right or gets reused it will not adhere properly.

Those quotes are pretty inline with that you're going to find for OEM. Not saying you have to do it at a dealer, but go OEM and make sure they know what they're doing with chrome moldings and reapplying the sensors to the windshield

TitanAGGIE09 said:

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Go OEM on a QX80. Just trust me on these. I've seen way to many done poorly or future issues. Not really any American companies making after market glass for these and all the non-oem China crap will give you a headache on theses cars.

Also, there are a lot of moldings on top of windshield as well. Every time I see one of these replaced not at a dealership they bend these and they do not bend back flush. It'll look horrible. Also, 50% of the time your whole sensor system will fall off the windshield the follow summer because there is an OEM seal kit that needs to be replaced when you do the windshield. If that's not done right or gets reused it will not adhere properly.

Those quotes are pretty inline with that you're going to find for OEM. Not saying you have to do it at a dealer, but go OEM and make sure they know what they're doing with chrome moldings and reapplying the sensors to the windshield

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Slight derail, but still on topic.

My '17 stx f150 recently had a crack too that requires replacement. I dont have any of the fancy sensors, but my does have the ford logo and a ton of black stuff on the actual windshield. Is this worth getting the same replacement with the ford logo stuff? the safelite quote gives me an option for both regular glass and the same ford logo/whatever it has on it windshield. About $100 difference, i just have no clue if its worth it. I lean know but this makes me think maybe yes to be safe?

Thanks to all of you for your replies and suggestions. It would appear that my best route is to go thru the dealer and be assured that I am getting an OEM windshield and the proper moldings.