A new windshield replacement should come with two warranties: a manufacturer glass warranty covering defects in the glass itself, typically lasting 1 to 5 years, and an installation workmanship warranty covering leaks, wind noise, and adhesion failures, which reputable shops offer for the lifetime of your vehicle ownership. The best providers offer lifetime workmanship warranties that cover water leaks, air leaks, stress cracks caused by installation errors, and rattling or wind noise from improper sealing. Red flags include shops that offer no written warranty, limit coverage to 90 days or less, exclude water leaks from coverage, or require you to return to the original location for warranty service. Insurance-covered replacements generally come with better warranties because insurers have quality standards their approved shops must meet. Always get your warranty terms in writing before work begins and verify the shop has been in business long enough to honor a multi-year guarantee.
Every reputable windshield replacement comes with some form of warranty, but the coverage varies significantly between shops. A good warranty should cover both the glass and the installation workmanship. The best shops offer lifetime workmanship warranties and back them without hassle. Here is what to look for, what is typically covered, and the warning signs that a shop’s warranty is not worth the paper it is printed on.
Two Types of Windshield Warranties
Workmanship / Installation Warranty
This covers defects in the installation process. If the windshield leaks, rattles, develops wind noise, or detaches from the vehicle due to improper adhesion, the shop will fix it at no charge. This is the more important warranty because installation quality directly affects safety and the longevity of the replacement.
- Best shops: Lifetime workmanship warranty
- Good shops: 3-5 year workmanship warranty
- Minimum acceptable: 1 year workmanship warranty
- Red flag: No written workmanship warranty
Glass / Manufacturer Warranty
This covers defects in the glass itself: spontaneous cracking (not caused by impact), delamination (the glass layers separating), and optical distortion. Glass defects are rare with quality manufacturers but can occur. The glass warranty is provided by the glass manufacturer (not the shop) and is typically tied to the manufacturer’s defect policy.
- OEM glass: Typically 1-2 years or vehicle lifespan
- Quality aftermarket: 1-3 years
- Budget aftermarket: 6 months to 1 year
- Used/salvage glass: No warranty in most cases
What Warranties Typically Cover
| Issue | Workmanship Warranty | Glass Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Water leaks | Covered | Not covered |
| Wind noise | Covered | Not covered |
| Glass detachment | Covered | Not covered |
| Spontaneous cracking | Not covered | Covered |
| Delamination | Not covered | Covered |
| Optical distortion | Not covered | Covered |
| Rock chip / impact damage | Not covered | Not covered |
What Warranties Never Cover
No windshield warranty covers damage caused by external impacts: rock chips, cracks from road debris, vandalism, hail damage, or stress cracks caused by extreme temperature changes. These are covered by your auto insurance comprehensive policy, not the replacement warranty. In Arizona, most comprehensive policies include zero-deductible glass coverage that handles these situations.
Red Flags: Signs of a Bad Warranty
No written warranty
If a shop will not put the warranty in writing, it does not exist. Get the warranty terms on your invoice or a separate document. Verbal promises are unenforceable.
Very short coverage (30-90 days)
A 30-day warranty on workmanship is a sign the shop does not trust its own work. Quality installations should be warranted for at least 1 year, ideally for the life of the vehicle.
Warranty requires you to return to the same shop
Some shops use warranty restrictions to lock you in. A good warranty should be honored at any location in their network or provide reimbursement for third-party repairs.
Excessive exclusions
If the warranty excludes leaks, wind noise, or adhesion failure, it covers essentially nothing. These are the exact issues a workmanship warranty should address.
No warranty on used/salvage glass
Used glass typically comes with no warranty at all. If you go the salvage route, understand you are accepting all risk. See our new vs used comparison.
Questions to Ask Before Your Replacement
- 1“What does your workmanship warranty cover, and how long does it last?”
- 2“Does the glass come with a manufacturer warranty?”
- 3“Will you put the warranty terms in writing on my invoice?”
- 4“If I have a leak or issue, what is the process for making a warranty claim?”
- 5“Is the ADAS calibration warranted? If it fails inspection later, will you redo it?”
How Warranty Quality Relates to Price
Shops that offer strong warranties tend to charge fair (not necessarily lowest) prices. They use quality materials, employ trained technicians, and stand behind their work. Shops offering suspiciously low prices often cut costs on adhesive quality, curing time, or technician training -- and compensate with weak warranties. The cheapest replacement is not always the best value when a leak or failure six months later means paying for the job twice. See our cash pay guide for tips on finding the best value.
Get a Replacement with a Lifetime Workmanship Warranty
Quality glass, certified technicians, and a warranty you can actually count on.