Those who've had windshields replaced - help me rate this job

[Cyano_Hibiki]

Hi all,

My windshield took a hit in September 2025 and after months of waiting due to glass back order, I finally had it replaced.

The shop who did the replacement was one referred by my local Honda Dealership. The have been pretty pleasant to work with so far so I want to make sure the issues I'm discussing next are not just me being nick-picking.

First of all, I can see a pretty noticeable gap between the bottom edge of the glass and the rubber strip, particularly in the center. It is pretty tight on the two ends. I'm pretty sure that is not up to spec?

Second up, I'm pretty sure they messed up the adhesive here. I want to say I should not be seeing this long bead of urethane here behind the A pillar cover...?

Wait, I'm not done yet. I'm pretty sure there was a piece of foam between the dash and the glass when I bought the car. Others in the forum also confirmed this (https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threads/replaced-windshield.51750/post-856246). Well, there is nothing there now.

Are these expected outcomes? Am I being a Karen to be upset about these issues? I'm genuinely trying to figure out since this is my second ever glass replacement and the first one was not a Honda.

 

[Shingo Shoji]

I find I'm always dissapointed by work done. It's never perfect in my experience. This seems acceptable if it was me purely because of the time and pain of having to have it done again.

 

[Cyano_Hibiki]

I find I'm always dissapointed by work done. It's never perfect in my experience. This seems acceptable if it was me purely because of the time and pain of having to have it done again.

If it’s only one of these issues I’m probably just gonna shrug my shoulders and try to ignore it. But they do add up and this honestly looks like sloppy job to me. Like come on, you could have at least cleaned that excess urethane off…

 

[CivicSportSGP]

If this were school project, I'd give it a "C." They completed the work, but definitely made some silly mistakes. Though my lowly FL2 was always missing the foam piece.

I had my windshield replaced last summer at the dealer, though a third-party does the actual installation.

While the final result was fine, my passenger side hinge cover was deformed, and one of the mounting tabs was squished. I opted to replace it, but was only able to get one of the rubber tabs in the mounting holes. It has been months and hasn't fallen off, so I'm not too concerned.

I was more peeved about how the installer routed my Homelink mirror harness versus how I had it installed. I only found out after trying to locate a clicking noise in that area.

 

[Cyano_Hibiki]

If this were school project, I'd give it a "C." They completed the work, but definitely made some silly mistakes. Though my lowly FL2 was always missing the foam piece.

I had my windshield replaced last summer at the dealer, though a third-party does the actual installation.

While the final result was fine, my passenger side hinge cover was deformed, and one of the mounting tabs was squished. I opted to replace it, but was only able to get one of the rubber tabs in the mounting holes. It has been months and hasn't fallen off, so I'm not too concerned.

I was more peeved about how the installer routed my Homelink mirror harness versus how I had it installed. I only found out after trying to locate a clicking noise in that area.

I think a C might be a bit generous when they are literally omitting a piece (aka the foam strip) that is clearly on the parts diagram, and hence should be installed.

If I had your issue with the deformed piece and such, I’d be seething. They had one job, aka putting the car back the way it was. I don’t know how they feel justified to charge that high of a labor cost when they can’t even do the basics.

 

[CivicSportSGP]

I think a C might be a bit generous when they are literally omitting a piece (aka the foam strip) that is clearly on the parts diagram, and hence should be installed.

If I had your issue with the deformed piece and such, I’d be seething. They had one job, aka putting the car back the way it was. I don’t know how they feel justified to charge that high of a labor cost when they can’t even do the basics.

Probably a "D" would be more fitting.

And I was mad about that deformed piece, but since I didn't pay to have my windshield replaced (and this wasn't a dealer I normally go to), I didn't want to try my luck acting as a Karen.

Especially when the hinge cover only cost me $11 including shipping.

 

[MrBBQ]

I had my windshield replaced at the dealer, and frankly was surprised a 3rd party was doing doing the install. Some guys in an old beat up '90s era Toyota truck that do replacement glass, with their business and their phone number on the side. At 1st I was uncomfortable with them touching my car but my service advisor assured me they would do a good job. I'm OCD, I had actually removed the rear view mirror trim pieces myself prior fearing they might just gouge those up removing them. Before driving off, I inspected all edges of the glass on the exterior and it looked like oem fitment to me. They said they were going to replace the two side moldings, but looking at them, they didn't look brand new. I didn't make a fuss about it as it didn't gave fitment issues. However, upon returning home, I did find two beads of black silicone on both sides of the A pillar squeezed out, seen from the interior of the car, just like yours. At 1st I was pissed, but come to think of it, it was probabky better they put too much silicone than not enough and deal with water leaks later. Not wanting them to touch my car again, I just took a razor and cut that extra silicone off a few days later. Your windshield have fitment issues, I would not be happy with that. It's the reason we have it done at the dealer to be done right. Bring it back and tell them to fix it. I just checked and my foam piece between the dash and windshield is there.

 

[AZCWTypeR]

Intaller replaced mine a year ago in my driveway, so I bird dogged him the entire time while engaged in polite conversation. Windshield installation and calibration were perfect from my perspective. They used Honda parts, saying that was the only available option. Installer had zero problems and didn't need to refer to manuals to complete the job.

 

[Cyano_Hibiki]

Update: shop offered to redo the job next Monday. They were apologetic and said they’ve ordered the missing piece this time. I’ll give them another chance, but I’m gonna request that I watch on the side, just in case…

 

[TheFactor]

@Cyano_Hibiki I agree with you and understand 100%. About Your thoughts and concerns.
I would try to get them to do the job over but with that being said if they won’t I would just accept it and not loose any sleep over it. On a positive note depending were you live it will probably happen again and next time you’ll be happy so you can get it replaced and done right and not so much worrying about the next Chip or crack instead

 

[TheFactor]

Update: shop offered to redo the job next Monday. They were apologetic and said they’ve ordered the missing piece this time. I’ll give them another chance, but I’m gonna request that I watch on the side, just in case…

Great news ! Sorry I missed your post
But my reply can still apply if the replacement doesn’t meet the standards it should be. I’m sure this time though they are going to do it right.

 

[CivicSportSGP]

@Cyano_Hibiki I agree with you and understand 100%. About Your thoughts and concerns.
I would try to get them to do the job over but with that being said if they won’t I would just accept it and not loose any sleep over it. On a positive note depending were you live it will probably happen again and next time you’ll be happy so you can get it replaced and done right and not so much worrying about the next Chip or crack instead

Windshield protection film does exist, and I was sorely tempted to do so as I needed my clear windshield tint redone and the shop I used offers it. However, I was not sold on the ROI, as I was quoted around $800 for installation, and the life expectancy of the film is two-to-four years.

For a weekend-only Type R that's constantly garaged, it's fine. For a daily-driven base model Civic, I'll take my chances.

 

[TheFactor]

Windshield protection film does exist, and I was sorely tempted to do so as I needed my clear windshield tint redone and the shop I used offers it. However, I was not sold on the ROI, as I was quoted around $800 for installation, and the life expectancy of the film is two-to-four years.

For a weekend-only Type R that's constantly garaged, it's fine. For a daily-driven base model Civic, I'll take my chances.

You know I was just considering doing my windshield being it’s a spanking new car. I hate even the smallest chips I’m pretty OCD about it. My SGP first trip on the highway I got a couple tiny/chips and it bugged me and of course time goes on it gets worse no matter how careful you are with following distance and or what your following. That was 800 just to ppf your front window ? For two years protection..
If your tracking yours it would be well worth it but otherwise I’m not sure now. I’m considering calling my tint/ppf shop and get an estimate for the windshield and basic protection kit for the front end. I’m the same mine is just a pleasure car I think my SGP Type R had only 4300 miles in a year and 8 months before I sold it. But any freeway driving it’s almost a guarantee your going to get a few chips.

 

[Cyano_Hibiki]

Update:
I had the shop reinstall the windshield today. They fixed the mentioned issues. Gonna wait for a day or two to see if that cowl seal stays in place.
Good for the shop owning up their mistakes and fixing it up for free.

 

[TheFactor]

Update:
I had the shop reinstall the windshield today. They fixed the mentioned issues. Gonna wait for a day or two to see if that cowl seal stays in place.
Good for the shop owning up their mistakes and fixing it up for free.

That’s awesome!

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