Tesla Cybertruck may be bulletproof, but the windshield is its Achilles heel

Tesla produces perhaps the best glass in the automotive industry. The glass roof of Tesla vehicles is known for its ability to withstand enormous forces. This makes them very safe in rollover accidents and rare cases where trees or other large objects fall on the roof. With the Cybertruck, Tesla went even further and developed what Elon Musk called “Armor glass.” This ultra-strong glass is provided with layers of polymer composite “to absorb and redirect impact force for better performance and damage tolerance,” as Tesla advertises.

Tesla Cybertruck windows have proven themselves in countless experiments, even though they failed during the original presentation in 2019. This encouraged Tesla fans to portray it as an apocalypse vehicle that can withstand virtually anything you can throw at it . The armored glass windows complement the Cybertruck’s stainless steel exoskeleton, which is strong enough to stop rifle bullets.

However, the Cybertruck also has an Achilles heel, and it’s too big to ignore. Many owners have complained that the windshield cracks quite easily, at least compared to other vehicles. It turns out that the zombies can still kill you in an apocalypse, as long as they aim at you through the windshield.

Tesla promoted the Cybertruck glass as being class 4 direct hit and hail resistant. Class 4 is the highest level of hail protection and can withstand the impact of a 51mm hail ball dropped from 20 feet. However, it seems that this only applies to the side windows. One Cybertruck owner was disappointed to find the windshield cracked after a moderate hailstorm. Obviously, no other vehicle parked next to the Cybertruck had windshield damage. This may have to do with how large the windshield is, making it more susceptible to cracking.

Earlier this month, an Instagram video showed a skateboarder jumping onto the Cybertruck’s glass roof and falling onto the windshield. It visibly bent under the impact, causing it to crack. Being so big and actually flat is a risk if something heavy presses on it. However, the Cybertruck’s windshield doesn’t need something as big as a skateboarder to damage it. A stone chip can also lead to cracked glass.

Admittedly, the owner who showed off his cracked windshield on the Tesla CyberTruck Facebook group admitted he was traveling at 90mph when the rock hit. Although he couldn’t see it coming, the loud bang he heard made him think it was big. Intriguingly, the Cybertruck’s windshield is nearly horizontal and should have easily deflected the rock without cracking. However, this did not happen, leaving the owner with an expensive repair bill.

Finally, “Glass is glass and glass breaks”, as Zack from JerryRigEverything said in 2018. Replacing the Cybertruck windshield isn’t cheap, as Tesla charges $1,900 for the parts. Owners who have had to replace it have shown repair estimates of around $2,300 – $2,400, including labor. It is a wise choice to have glass coverage on your insurance.