NHTSA Complaint #10622636 — 2014 MAZDA CX-5

I LEASED A 2014 CX-5 GRAND TOURING IN APRIL 2014. ON 7/21/14 & AT 1800 MILES I NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT STARTED FROM THE TOP EDGE AND EXTENDED DOWN BELOW THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. WHEN I INSPECTED THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE OUTSIDE I COULD SEE NO ROCK CHIP. ON 7/25/14 I TOOK THE CAR TO H*** BODY & PAINT AND INQUIRED ABOUT REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD. THE TECHNICIAN THERE SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A PRETTY OBVIOUS CASE OF A STRESS CRACK & TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX IT. THAT SAME DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP & REPORTED TO THE SERVICE DEPT THAT I HAD A CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD THAT WASN'T FROM A ROCK CHIP. BUT THE TECH SAID HE COULD SEE THE ROCK CHIP RIGHT AWAY & PERFORMED A "PEN TEST" TO SHOW ME THE ROCK CHIP. HE POINTED THE PEN DIRECTLY TO WHAT HE SAID WAS THE CHIP & I LOOKED AT IT CLOSELY. I SAID, "THAT STILL DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A ROCK CHIP TO ME; IT LOOKS LIKE THE CRACK STARTED FROM THE TOP EDGE UNDERNEATH THE SEAL." THE TECH SAID IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH AT ALL FOR A CRACK LIKE THAT TO START. I COMMENTED THAT MAZDA MUST USE VERY POOR QUALITY WINDSHIELDS THAT CRACK SO EASILY FROM A ROCK CHIP SO TINY THAT I CAN'T EVEN SEE IT, & WITH ONLY 1800 MILES ON IT. THE TECH SAID I WAS WELCOME TO GET A SECOND OPINION ABOUT THE ROCK CHIP BUT THAT THE MAZDA WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER GLASS ANYWAYS. ON 7/28/14 I TOOK THE CAR TO T***GLASS AND INQUIRED ABOUT REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD. THEY QUOTED ME A PRICE NEAR $400. I SAID, "WHOA, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY JUST BECAUSE OF A TEENY-TINY ROCK CHIP!" THE TECH SAID, "THAT'S NOT A ROCK CHIP, THAT'S A STRESS CRACK." I TOLD HIM, "THE DEALER TOLD ME ON FRIDAY THAT IT'S FROM A ROCK CHIP." THE TECH LOOKED AT THE WINDSHIELD AGAIN AND PERFORMED THE "PEN TEST." HE CAME BACK & SAID, "THERE IS NO ROCK CHIP ON THAT WINDSHIELD." I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP MANAGEMENT & THEY AGREED TO DO A "GOOD WILL" REPLACEMENT. *TR