Component
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
6,682 NHTSA complaints about equipment:appliance:air conditioner issues across 50 makes and 643 models.
The equipment:appliance:air conditioner is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 6,682 filings from 50 manufacturers and 643 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 79 crashes, 213 fires, 150 injuries, and 10 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD TAURUS with 205 filings, followed by JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE and DODGE CARAVAN. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD TAURUS | 205 |
| 2 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 199 |
| 3 | DODGE CARAVAN | 182 |
| 4 | DODGE INTREPID | 148 |
| 5 | FORD EXPLORER | 123 |
| 6 | HONDA ACCORD | 119 |
| 7 | HONDA CR-V | 111 |
| 8 | MERCURY SABLE | 106 |
| 9 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 105 |
| 10 | HONDA ODYSSEY | 101 |
| 11 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 99 |
| 12 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 99 |
| 13 | HONDA CIVIC | 96 |
| 14 | FORD CONTOUR | 92 |
| 15 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 89 |
| 16 | CHRYSLER CONCORDE | 88 |
| 17 | FORD WINDSTAR | 79 |
| 18 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 76 |
| 19 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 67 |
| 20 | PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER | 65 |
| 21 | DODGE NEON | 65 |
| 22 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 62 |
| 23 | DODGE DURANGO | 58 |
| 24 | CHEVROLET S10 | 58 |
| 25 | MERCURY VILLAGER | 57 |
| 26 | FORD AEROSTAR | 57 |
| 27 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 57 |
| 28 | LINCOLN CONTINENTAL | 56 |
| 29 | FORD FOCUS | 55 |
| 30 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 54 |
Recent Complaints
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while stopped at a red traffic light, the contact noticed an abnormal sound coming from the front end of the vehicle, and there was an abno
The contact owns a 2007 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the rear cargo window exploded and shattered into pieces. The contact also stated that whil
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle and starting the engine, the heat would enter through the vents and failed to remain off. The vehicle was ta
System failed from wear on the rear ac hose from the power steering hose rubbing on it. Creating a leak in my ac system
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
See attached document from complainant
See attached document for complaint
The air conditioning system abruptly ceased emitting cold air, prompting the involvement of the dealership. Their assessment revealed a compressor leak stemming from the failure of the shaft seal.
Air conditioner and fan shuts off when driving long distance (50 - 100 miles) then comes back on intermittent.
The air conditioning system has failed. Safety is at risk due to elevated temperatures. Thousands of people have complained about these issues. HSB 19-091 does not go far enough, Honda needs to rec
2019 HONDA CR-V CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 2 MONTHS AND HAD 24,000 MILES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT VEHICLE
The ac evaporator core keeps going out and itâs now out of warranty. This has happened on thousands of mustangs. There needs to be a recall to force Ford to fix this costly problem that in 100+ heat
AC compressor and condenser are both broken or have leaked. They should cover both, not just one part. A lot of people with civic owners are complaining with the same issue. Honda should cover al
Air conditioning unit has failed and after further investigation there is metal found in compressor which forces a full replacement of the AC unit. After further investigation (online forums and disc
Air Conditioning Unit is not working properly. I am spending over 1500.00 to have the defective unit replaced. I find it unreasonable that I should spend that amount to repair something that the compa
I purchased a brand new 2023 Kia Sportage X-Line March 23, 2022. When I turned the A/C on, very warm air was blowing from the vents even though A/C button was on and temperature was set to low meani
THE A/C was not functioning. It failed for the second time. It was not blowing cold air. The A/C condenser failed. The condenser was replaced under the Honda warranty.
Related Vehicle Components
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Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.