Cracks in tiles normal?

Hello, I have a general question about tiles (specifically tiles in the bathroom). We built with a general contractor and completed the final inspection. After a few months, a crack appeared in a tile in the bathroom by the bathtub. It is really the tile that cracked and not the grout. The crack went once across the tile. The tile still held, but we made a complaint (we still have a warranty, the construction was done according to [VOB] in Germany Lower Saxony). Now the contractor explained to us that we did not specifically agree on crack-free tiles in the contract. His statement was that you cannot expect crack-free tiles. My question now is: can I expect that tile work remains crack-free even a few months later or is it normal for tiles in a new building to crack after a few months? Are there any paragraphs or precedents that I could first mention in conversation with the contractor? I asked the guild, and they only told me that they cannot say anything about this and that I would have to hire an expert. Thanks for your answers Sven

Expert. In my opinion, that is abnormal. I have not had a crack in any tile so far, whether wall or floor. And how does it look at your place of work? In the bathroom or in the office pantry? Cracks? Probably not. And with your friends? Cracks? Karsten

A crack in a tile is not normal. It can happen, is repaired, and that's it. A crack in a joint occurs more frequently but should also be repaired. A crack in an expansion joint between wall and floor is normal and can be easily repaired by yourself.

Thank you for the response. I was thinking along the same lines. And according to common sense, that should not be the case. However, whether that aligns with the law, what common sense says is unfortunately always another matter. What matters to me is whether it is written anywhere, or whether there might be rulings or opinions from the [Innung] that can be held against the contractor. That would be much simpler and shorter than an expert report.

Why should a crack in a tile be normal? A hole in a wall is not normal either, unless a window is going in.

Expert. In my opinion, that is abnormal.

No expert required! The contractor (property developer/tiler) owes a defect-free work and depending on the contract has a warranty. A cracked tile (no matter the reason) is simply not defect-free work and must therefore be repaired free of charge under the warranty. After an appropriate deadline, this can also be done by another party (substitute performance). Often a well-formulated letter from a lawyer helps here.