Hi guys, this is a strange one but wanted to see what you think.. I've scheduled dealer visit to see if they will cover that and investigate what is it. So, last night i heard a small explode loud pop sound inside car coming from front dashboard and immediately after super strange chemical smell. The smell disappeared after 10 min but this morning i noticed crack on bottom of windshield and what appears under the windshield something burned that caused it... don't know it its some sensor or who knows what it is under there as you can see in the pictures but its definitely not right and caused crack on the windshield. I have a visit now scheduled for next week to see what the dealer will say and do. Let me know what you guys think.

 

Do keep us updated. That is very strange.

 

Agree. Very strange! Do you have windshield heating?

 

It’s the heating element inside the windshield. I had the same issue a few weeks ago during a cold spell. The car is always in the garage overnight but parked outside when I am in the office. The other day during my lunch break, as I am approaching the car, I noticed a crack in the mid-lower portion of the windshield. Similar location as yours. I was baffled! Since I had not noticed the crack during my morning commute, I immediately thought that it looked like a thermal stress crack and made a mental note to take the car to the dealership for further evaluation. The following day – again, during my lunch break – I noticed that the crack had increased in size. As I am making this observation and upon turning the car on, I noticed smoke (yes -smoke!) coming from the crack on the windshield. I immediately turned the car off (in the EV sense) and exited the car to video record the smoke. But the smoke had stopped by the time I got to the front of the car. I still managed to snap a few pics. Took the car to the dealership where everybody agreed that it appeared to be a thermal stress crack caused by the heating element in the heated windshield. Bingo! Next step, the warranty claim with Mercedes. Apparently, Mercedes is very reluctant to cover damaged windshield and tires but my service advisor was confident that we had a very good case. They kept the car, gave me a loaner and sent me on my way. A few days later, my service advisor called me to let me know that Mercedes had approved the windshield replacement under warranty. The car had stored a faulty code referring to the heating element which explained the crack and the smoke. A brand-new windshield was installed a few days later and the car is now back in my garage. A happy ending story! I am very pleased with the outcome and the assistance my service advisor and his team have provided. I wish you the same outcome. Feel free to PM me if you need more details for the warranty claim.

Cracked windshield

 

Thank you for writing up your experience with this. Very informative! A good outcome for you!
But since this is now at least two cases exactly alike, within a short period, it leaves one wondering whether it's a design flaw...and if it's been corrected. Otherwise, it will be sure to happen again - most certainly just after the warranty expires :-(
I didn't order the heated windshield on my EQE SUV because I reflected that I only had to get out a window scraper about 2 times over the last 20 years with my previous car, which did not have a heated windshield.
I am now glad I did not get this option!

 

Thanks for reply and it does seem i have the same issue then with the heating element. I do have the pinnacle trim with infrared, noise,heat windshield so i am assuming its same issue. Did they replace the heating element that burned out after removing the windshield or they had to remove the dashboard to replace it.. just wondering of the work expected and I'm glad my car is still under warranty and if the heat element is the cause it will be all covered.

 

Good news! The heating element is layered in the glass of the windshield. It’s just a straight windshield replacement. No additional work is needed in the adjacent components. I have enclosed a copy of the invoice from the dealership outlining the work performed so you know what to expect




. Hope this helps.

 

Wow. Great information. I, too, am concerned that this will happen after warranty, and the glass will cost an arm and a leg.

 

$4100, just had it done ( insurance covered it).

 

Hey guys..so quick update on my windshield situation. After 3 weeks in shop it finally got replaced under warranty. The issue was the same as described above, basically the heating element of the windshield shorted out and created the initial crack, from there it got worse spreading to the end of window by the time i got to the dealer. They had to inspect, pull all the codes that stated it shorted in order to submit claim to mercedes to approve under warranty. that took several days and then shipping and delivery several more days and then install several more days.. 3 weeks later I'm back in. At least i drove 3 loaners during that time GLE 450e and GLC 350e.. they were nice and I kept charging them every night which gave me 50miles electric to drive and did not put any gas on any of them. But I still like the eqs much much better.

 

Happy ending.

 

Would have hated to foot the bill for that had it not been covered under warranty.

 

I wonder if it will be part of an insurance policy of windshield protection in that case or will they deny it or if it isn't applicable?

 

Can't imagine a insurance policy would cover the failure of a part.

 

True.

 

Uh oh, now I've got a crack. It is really low--lower than the original photos of this post. There's no way a rock could have struck it, as the crack is right on the edge where the windshield meets the frame. So posting here for others, as this now looks like a pattern for at least a few of us. I hope it can just be filled, as my front window was tinted perfectly in Arizona, and not sure a shop in my state would replace it.

 

Do you have the windshield heating package?

 

Yes, I do. Going to Safelite today or tomorrow and hoping they can stabilize it, so I don't have to lose my tinting.

 

Update...I got turned down for a warranty claim. My SA seemed inclined to see it as a part failure issue, but the service manager said nope, it was damaged by a rock. I really don't think it was, as it is nearly impossible for a rock to have struck the windshield a couple inches below the hood. But, this will not be a hill I'll die on...I'll pay the deductible and move on. And try to solve my windshield tint issue.

 

I've been following your updates, and I would urge you not to give up on this. What you are describing is a classic, and frankly lazy, denial from a Service Manager who is choosing the path of least resistance. You have a very strong case for a warranty claim, and you should not have to pay out of pocket for a documented component failure.

Before you pay your insurance deductible, let's run the strategic math. This isn't just about the deductible. It's about a potential insurance rate increase and, as you've pointed out, the significant and unrecoverable cost of trying to replicate a perfect tint job. A successful warranty claim costs you nothing but a bit of persistence.

The opinion of a single Service Manager is not the final verdict. Here is how to escalate this properly:

1. Get a Second Opinion: This is non-negotiable. Take the car to a different, authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership for a fresh diagnosis. Do not tell them about the first dealer's opinion initially. Present the facts as laid out in this thread (the pop, the smell, the location of the crack) and let them come to their own conclusion. A different Service Manager at a different dealership may see it completely differently.
   
2. Go Direct to the Top: If a second dealer is unhelpful, it's time to escalate. Call MBUSA corporate customer care directly. Open a case file, explain the situation, and calmly state that a dealer is refusing to honor a warranty claim for a known, documented component failure that other owners have had covered.
   
3. Use the Evidence: When you speak to MBUSA, be prepared to reference the successful claims from this very thread, specifically the detailed experience of @FirstEV (Post #4) and the dealer invoice confirming the cause as "WINDSHIELD HEATER OVERHEATED". This shows them that you are an informed owner and that there is a clear precedent for this issue being covered.

A dealer's first 'no' is often a test of your resolve, not a final decision. You have the facts on your side.