General Motors (GM) has released a position statement saying it does not approve the use of aftermarket or non-genuine OE glass for windshield replacement. 

“At GM, safety is our top priority,” the statement says. “Our vehicles, safety systems, and components are designed, engineered, tested, and validated to help ensure protection for vehicle occupants. This includes the careful selection of every part, including the windshield.”

Aftermarket glass may have varying material, dimensional, and clarity specifications that do not meet the exact standards designed, engineered, tested, and validated for use in GM vehicles, the position says. 

The position states that structural integrity of a vehicle’s safety system is “highly dependent” on the specifications of each component, including the windshield. GM OE glass specifically meets the required safety, durability, and performance standards. 

Replacing windshields with inferior glass also can compromise the performance of advanced safety systems such as Super Cruise, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist, the statement says. The systems rely on precise calibration and integration of sensors and cameras embedded in or near the windshield. 

“It is critical that a service point calibration/learn is performed whenever a front-view windshield camera or sensor is removed, reinstalled, or replaced, or when the windshield itself is removed and replaced,” the position says. “This helps ensure that the ADAS systems continue to function as designed.” 

GM windshields also include enhanced acoustic dampening technologies to reduce wind, road, and engine noise, the position says. Aftermarket windshields may not include these features, which could lead to an increase in noise levels within the cabin. 

The windshields are also designed to filter UV and infrared rays to protect vehicle occupants and interior components from damaging sun exposure. 

“The materials and construction of GM glass also play a role in maintaining cabin temperature and occupant comfort,” the position says. “Inferior glass may result in increased cabin temperatures, which can degrade the interior environment and increase the load on the vehicle’s climate control system.”

All GM structural and safety testing including those for roof strength, air bag deployment, and vulnerable road user impacts, such as pedestrian protection, is performed using GM Genuine Parts. That includes OEM glass, the position says. Tests are not conducted using aftermarket glass so GM says it cannot confirm whether aftermarket glass and/or parts have been validated for the same level of performance and safety. 

“The optical quality of GM windshields is tested to meet stringent standards that go beyond the Federal Standard FMVSS205,” the position says. “Using inferior glass may result in increased distortion, impairing the driver’s vision and potentially leading to safety concerns.”

GM “strongly recommends” using OEM glass for all windshield replacements. 

“For the continued safety, comfort, and performance of GM vehicles, we urge all service providers to use only GM Genuine Parts and ensure that proper calibration procedures are followed after windshield replacement,” the position says. 

And GM isn’t alone in its recommendation. Porsche released a position statement last year saying that camera-based driving assistance is one of many features that can be impacted by improperly repairing a Porsche windshield. 

“The original glass used on Porsche vehicles as well as the adhesives system and expertise in the workshop guarantee optimum fit, function, safety, and structural integrity,” the statement says. “The quality, performance, and safety of aftermarket replacement windshield and side glass may not meet Porsche exacting specifications. Only by using Porsche-approved replacement glass, you can be assured of the fit, function, safety, and structural integrity of the repair.” 

Only OEM adhesives approved by Porsche should be used for glass replacement, the statement says. 

“These are precisely matched to the corresponding bonding substrates and made for the conditions in the workshop environment,” the statement says. “Adhesive systems that are not approved can lead to a non-functioning bond, which in turn represents a potential risk for the customer.”

In February, State Farm asked its National Glass Program participants to provide a recalibration failure report when requesting authorization for OEM glass, if the installed non-OEM windshield can’t be recalibrated. 

State Farm instructed shops that the preferred method for OEM authorization requests is to select an OEM/Dealer Glass Part Form online, provide the part number to be authorized, and provide an explanation for the request which explains the recalibration failure after the non-OEM glass installation. 

GM’s updated windshield replacement position can be found at oem1stop.com. Rivian also updated multiple documents on the website recently. The updates include minimal changes to verbiage and consolidation of documents.

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Photo courtesy of GM.