Specific vehicles (often econoboxes) have had issues with windshield stress cracks. The current generation Scion XB and several model years of Honda Element (to name only two) have well-documented issues of this nature. Matter of fact, many Elements are covered under a class action whereby Honda agrees to replace windshields on these vehicles, even if the break is caused by a projectile, though probably not a baseball bat.

With its 164% stiffer front body structure and ACE engineering, I'm hoping the new Fits will not exhibit this unnerving (and expensive) characteristic. Nevertheless, I'm keeping a watchful eye on my windshield, and I've not heard any reports of this problem to date. Hopefully it's a non-issue in this current generation car.

 

Driving down the highway once, I heard a loud tick on my windshield. I'm almost certain it was a medium sized rock that was launched at my windshield from a nearby truck. I got out after I parked at my work and looked at my windshield and didn't see any cracks.

 

I didn't hear about any issues with the first gen Fit and the 2nd gen has an even stiffer structure so I suspect that this model won't have issues. We'll see...

 

Why would it only affect economy cars? I think it's just coincidence.