ᐅ Are cracks in tiles normal?

Hello,
I have a general question regarding tiles (specifically bathroom tiles).
We built our home with a general contractor and have completed the final inspection. After a few months, a tile cracked in the bathroom near the bathtub. It is definitely the tile itself that cracked, not the grout. The crack ran completely across the tile. The tile has remained in place, but we have filed a complaint (we still have a warranty, and the construction followed VOB standards in Lower Saxony, Germany). The contractor now told us that there was no specific agreement in the contract about crack-free tiles. His position is that you cannot expect tiles to remain crack-free.
My question is: can I reasonably expect tile work to remain crack-free a few months after completion, or is it normal for tiles to crack within the first months of a new build? Are there any legal provisions or precedents that I could refer to in discussions with the contractor?
I contacted the local trade association, but they only said they cannot advise me and suggested I hire an expert to assess the issue.
Thank you for your answers
Sven

Inspector. In my opinion, that is unusual. I haven’t seen a single crack in any tile, whether wall or floor, so far. And how about at your workplace? In the restroom or the office kitchenette? Any cracks? Probably not. And what about your friends? Cracks? Karsten

A crack in a tile is not normal. It can happen, but it should be repaired and that’s it. A crack in a grout line is more common, but it should also be fixed. A crack in an expansion joint between the wall and floor is normal and can be easily repaired by yourself.

Thank you for the response.
That’s also what I was thinking. And common sense says it shouldn’t be allowed. However, whether that actually aligns with the law is unfortunately a different matter.
What I’m interested in is whether this is written down anywhere, or if there are perhaps court rulings or opinions from the trade association that can be presented to the builder. That would be much simpler and quicker than involving an expert.

Why should a crack in a tile be considered normal? A hole in a wall is also not normal, unless a window is being installed.

Nordlys schrieb:

Expert assessment. In my opinion, that is unusual.

An expert assessment is not necessary! The contractor (developer/tiler) is obligated to deliver a defect-free result and provides a warranty according to the contract. A cracked tile (regardless of the cause) is not considered defect-free and must therefore be repaired free of charge under the warranty. After an appropriate deadline is set, this can also be carried out by someone else (substitute performance). Often, a well-written letter from a lawyer can be helpful in this context.