Heard a loud pop, dash and windshield are cracked. What is the cause?!!

Hello, yes, based on your account of things, it's physical damage, I'm sorry to say -- not in any way a manufacturing defect. Contact your insurance company for comprehensive coverage assistance.

Additionally - when an object impacts the windshield or the surrounding area - it produces a very loud pop similar to the report of a 22 caliber rifle shot .. I have experienced this exact situation more than once as i live / drive in rural locations most of the time where this is more likely to occur.. Now a falling ‘walnut’ from a tree along the roadside that impacts the vehicle produces much louder level of noise - I’d say up there close to the discharge of a 38 special.. This “loud pop” noise you heard coupled with obvious damage are definitive clues that some-thing did indeed hit your car. It is an unfortunate circumstance that no one is actually responsible for - ‘stuff’ happens.