A cracked windshield is not always an automatic replacement, but size, depth, edge location, and driver visibility matter.
Short cracks away from the driver’s direct sightline and away from the windshield edge may be repair candidates. Fresh damage is easier to evaluate before moisture and grit settle into the crack.
Replacement is usually recommended when a crack reaches the edge of the glass, crosses the driver’s line of sight, spreads longer than a few inches, or compromises the windshield’s structural role in the vehicle.
Missouri drivers also need to think about inspection and visibility rules. See our guide on driving with a cracked windshield in Missouri for more detail.