I have a cracked windshield in my 2011 9-5 with HUD and LDW. There is none in North America apparently. I am posting as a warning to others that may have this car. Make sure you avoid any truck, salter anything that appears to be kicking up stones and debris. It is ridiculous that you can not get a windshield for a 2011 vehicle. When I purchased they weren't bankrupt. I didn't take a chance and hope for the best. I bought a 60K car that basically is a hazard to drive now. Even Sweden Saab parts has indicated that not a windshield exists and the maker went out of business so they have not idea when someone may decide they care to produce the glass.
They have some owners on the facebook page that might be able to give you additional guidance with what to do in the interim.
Sorry to hear about it. It is unfortunate and hopefully another company will produce them in the future - I just don't know how much is done in the development of the HUD windshield compared to most probably only a couple thousand (out of the 11,000 or so total NG 9-5s produced) NG 9-5s with HUD were distributed worldwide.
Has anyone looked to see how close the Buick LaCrosse glass is? This link shows how to cut a windshield, but comparing pictures it looks like the top edge would just need to be trimmed down a bit to achieve the curved greenhouse look.
I have a cracked windshield in my 2011 9-5 with HUD and LDW. There is none in North America apparently. I am posting as a warning to others that may have this car. Make sure you avoid any truck, salter anything that appears to be kicking up stones and debris. It is ridiculous that you can not get a windshield for a 2011 vehicle. When I purchased they weren't bankrupt. I didn't take a chance and hope for the best. I bought a 60K car that basically is a hazard to drive now. Even Sweden Saab parts has indicated that not a windshield exists and the maker went out of business so they have not idea when someone may decide they care to produce the glass.
That's BS. The manufacturer is Saint Gobain. They are alive and well. The problem is they apprently got ripped off badly in the bankruptcy and are unwilling to play well with Saab Parts. They seem to have a patent on the technology, so unless they can make up, you will not see a HUD windshield for a very long time. Call Saab Parts up and keep pressure on them to make a deal with Saint Gobain.
I have been given bad news by the Saab dealer here in Ontario Canada. Apparently, Saab NA has attempted to order this windscreen in large qty from St. Gobain and they are not and will never produce this piece of glass again. So, basically I am completely screwed. As well as any NG owners with HUD and LDW. I can get the windshield that is for the car that does not have those things but not the proper one.
For those that have the same features. Do everything in your power to avoid trucks, salters and this that throw stones. You will never get a proper windshield for this car. I have been trying for four months now.
I know it is not an optimum answer for you guys, but the non HUD windshield will fit, the HUD will just be a little fuzzy. And Saint Gobain IS making those. It's a much better answer than a cracked windshield.
Hi All!
I met a truck a couple of weeks ago that "poured" gravel all around. I was doing 110 km/h and two stones hit my windshields.
Jeesus what a bang. And the windshield is of course broken. Luckily it hit in the upper and middle part so it "just" got two holes half way thru the window.. But also a crack started to move across.
It took 5 minutes and the crack is now "complete"
I knew about the lack of windshields for my HUD car. But I asked my garage to check it up before ordering a none HUD window.
He came back a couple of days later and told me that Saab-Parts had decided on a new undertaker to produce the 9-5II glassing. They estimated the delivery to the fall of this year.
I contacted my insurer and said that I will wait for that glass since the crack isn't in front of the driver.
Great news eh?
Hopefully those windshields will find its way over the ocean as well.
Here is a fall update... Still no windshield. I have been diligent and followed up with Saab parts NA, St. Gobain and the dealer. Nothing! It is pretty scary to think what will happen for us 9-5NG owners in a couple of years. The cars are now worth squat. Which for some may be ok but I was one that purchased when it was a normal price.
I am hopeful that I will have some form of resolution in the next week. Otherwise, I am going to have to stop driving the vehicle. The insurance company has told me I will have to. Because I made the claim but have not been able to get it fixed.
Here's hoping. So, for those considering picking one up cheap. While I love the car I recommend running away and buy something else. It just isn't worth it in the end.
It sounds like you could put a conventional glass in and resume driving the vehicle, why would the insurance company disallow that? I can understand over a crack that obstructs vision but over a perfectly good windscreen sans HUD, I don't think so.
Wow, just soldier up and enjoy your car for what it is in the interim, worse things have happened than driving without a HUD, what did you do before that?
Personally, I had one on my car and found it restricted vision along the left periphery and that's where the deer come bounding out, so this time of year between hunting and "the rut", I never turned it on.
I can't believe that anyone would park a car because they cannot use their HUD. Personally I find it distracting and the whole argument a farce. These cars have already rebounded as far as prices, consumers have finally found what a great car they are.
How did people drive a car without HUD in the past?
I wouldn't stop because I can not use my HUD. There is no standard glass available either. The lower model part has been discontinued. They will only have one model moving forward to supply everyone. I have spent close to a year chasing this. The option for ANY piece of glass has been asked multiple times in the hopes something shows up.
This isn't vanity so I can use a crappy HUD. There simply aren't any windshields for this car which is sad. With respect to the insurance company... The original claim was put in close to a year ago. It needs to get resolved or they close the file with no payout. Where I live it is illegal to drive with a cracked windshield. Every time I drive I am risking pull over and ticket. Luckily, I have been able to drive my convertible through the summer so it was parked anyway. Now, it is coming to crunch time.
whats the platform for this car? Isnt it the GM epsilon? so Aura/Malibu? I am not up on this car at all but it is hard not to think windshields cant be had... HUD or not. I think HUD is an excellent driver aid btw. good luck
(There is no standard glass available either. The lower model part has been discontinued. They will only have one model moving forward to supply everyone. I have spent close to a year chasing this. The option for ANY piece of glass has been asked multiple times in the hopes something shows up.)
You need a new source my friend. I currently see 11in stock in Saab's warehouse. part # 12827530
My windshield is now cracked and cannot be repaired. I have the HUD and called Saab Parts NA. I was told they have secured the contract and HUD windshields will be available. Must go through my GM dealer part costs $1650.00 USD this is only for the part and not full installation.
Just saw that on Facebook as well. Sounds good enough for me with a $1000 deductible. Apparently this is the lowest possible price point due to the fact that our cars are such super low volume.
I have to wonder why they just don't make them all with the HUD feature which is a reflective layer on one of the laminates in the glass? From what I remember with my Corvette, when it was in the lowered position I don't remember seeing anything. The only thing I could see was the annoying reflection of the unit in the dashboard.
OK, that would raise the price a bit because two sides would have to have the ability to reflect; left for the US and European markets and right for the UK?
I can understand HUD's for fixing on a target or maintaining airspeed in a jet or turbine with single pilot ops, or perhaps racing where heat and temps are critical with engine management.
It's such an awesome feature. I would not have bought the car without it. TO me its the ultimate safety feature. I speed allot which helps when I see a cop I have some faster reaction time. Just glad we can get them. I have a feeling or suspicion that the new Saab owners have something to do with this. Nothing concrete just a hunch that someone told NEVS that if they want to come back to the states with owner loyalty they need to make sure they have parts for the NG 9-5 and 9-4..
Just found out that I'll need to replace my windshield as well and it appears that I'm in the exact same boat as you. Will be chronicling the process in this thread: Windshield Replacement Saga
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