Body/Trim: Volvo front windscreen tint film

[aslan]

Hi all

Since acquiring my 08/09 XC90 a few months back, I've noticed this discolouration on the front windscreen. It is affecting both top corners.

I did mention this to the dealer sales person and he said it was due to the aftermarket tint film.

IMG_20131205_153015.jpg

So taking his word, I waited till I had funds to remove and install a new front windscreen tint. I went to the tint shop and after inspecting it carefully they said it is not due to the tint film. The aftermarket tint on the inside of the front windscreen goes above the the blackened rim of the windscreen. And the discolouration is actually due to some sort of film inside the windscreen.

I've seen at least one other XC90 on the road with this sort of windscreen.

Not sure how common this is. But when I was searching for used XC90 I don't recall seeing this.

Anyone else suffering this same effect on their windscreen?

The XC90 has an extended 5 years warranty which is still valid. Is this a manufacturing defect?

Thanks!

[Clan]

Originally Posted by aslan

Hi all

Since acquiring my 08/09 XC90 a few months back, I've noticed this discolouration on the front windscreen. It is affecting both top corners.

I did mention this to the dealer sales person and he said it was due to the aftermarket tint film.

Attachment 68662

So taking his word, I waited till I had funds to remove and install a new front windscreen tint. I went to the tint shop and after inspecting it carefully they said it is not due to the tint film. The aftermarket tint on the inside of the front windscreen goes above the the blackened rim of the windscreen. And the discolouration is actually due to some sort of film inside the windscreen.

I've seen at least one other XC90 on the road with this sort of windscreen.

Not sure how common this is. But when I was searching for used XC90 I don't recall seeing this.

Anyone else suffering this same effect on their windscreen?

The XC90 has an extended 5 years warranty which is still valid. Is this a manufacturing defect?

Thanks!

If it is a whitish discolouration of the plastic layer between the two sheets of glass it is water or damp damage . It may well be a replacement non volvo screen .. ? Is the word VOLVO printed in black on the screen anywhere ?

[A lex]

Looks very much like water ingress on to one of the inner layers of the screen.

Very common on mid-90s Mercs with the double glazing.

[aslan]

Originally Posted by Clan

If it is a whitish discolouration of the plastic layer between the two sheets of glass it is water or damp damage . It may well be a replacement non volvo screen .. ? Is the word VOLVO printed in black on the screen anywhere ?

Yes. It is a whitish discolouration. This is seen from inside.

2013-12-16 18.06.43.jpg

And yes it is a Volvo windscreen - made in Italy. Here's a pic of the the marking.

2013-12-16 18.35.38.jpg

So if this is due to damp or water damage, does this mean there's something wrong with the sealant around the windscreen allowing water to seep in? It looks fine as far as I can tell. Anyone else I should check?

Would this damage be claimable under warranty? Or considered normal wear? Mileage is 93k km and the extended 5 years warranty ends in Mac 14.

Is this a known issue? If this is a known issue and Volvo made some improvement to later windscreen, then it may be worth me pursuing a replacement from Volvo (if they say can). But if it's something all the windscreen are at risk, then I may just live with it.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by aslan

Yes. It is a whitish discolouration. This is seen from inside.

Attachment 68667

And yes it is a Volvo windscreen - made in Italy. Here's a pic of the the marking.

Attachment 68668

So if this is due to damp or water damage, does this mean there's something wrong with the sealant around the windscreen allowing water to seep in? It looks fine as far as I can tell. Anyone else I should check?

Would this damage be claimable under warranty? Or considered normal wear? Mileage is 93k km and the extended 5 years warranty ends in Mac 14.

Is this a known issue? If this is a known issue and Volvo made some improvement to later windscreen, then it may be worth me pursuing a replacement from Volvo (if they say can). But if it's something all the windscreen are at risk, then I may just live with it.

Thats quite bad and certainly not seen that before on an XC90 only sometimes on 30 year old cars . Go for the warranty claim ... The edge of the glass is not supposed to be sealed at all , there is nothing you could have done to prevent it .

[aslan]

An update and closure.

I went to the dealer today. They agree it's the windscreen itself at fault but unfortunately it is not covered under the extended warranty.

Only avenue is to get it replaced using my windscreen insurance coverage.

[laundryman]

If you acquired the car recently, it will have some kind of warranty?? I would try the 'not fit for purpose' line.

[aslan]

Originally Posted by laundryman

If you acquired the car recently, it will have some kind of warranty??

Unfortunately here, used car's warranty from previous experience here is at the most one week. And that is only for major breakdowns like car can't start. I think reading from posts here the situation is much better over in UK.

The extended warranty given by the volvo dealer (which you won't get if car bought from a normal used car dealer lot) only covers major parts alternator, water pumps etc. They showed me the terms and conditions as agreed and paid for by the previous owner who took up the extended warranty package

[A lex]

A milky windscreen wouldnt be covered under an extended warranty here either.

It will get classed as 'wear and tear'.

If it bothers you enough to want it changed, id find a brick and 'accidentally' break your screen and claim for a new one off the insurance..

[aslan]

Originally Posted by A lex

A milky windscreen wouldnt be covered under an extended warranty here either.

It will get classed as 'wear and tear'.

If it bothers you enough to want it changed, id find a brick and 'accidentally' break your screen and claim for a new one off the insurance..

It's bothering me and wife as otherwise the exterior of the car is clean and proper.

At the suggestion of local volvo dealer, I'll be installing a new windscreen and claiming it under my insurance. How they do it ... swing a hammer or whatever .... I'll leave the paperwork to them

I've asked whether I can fit in a non-IR windscreen (looking at VADIS there is such a version) but they say not possible. Don't fancy having the same issues 4-5 years later! But they assured me that the windscreen have been improved by Volvo.