Component
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:COMPRESSOR
20 NHTSA complaints about visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:compressor issues across 6 makes and 13 models.
The visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:compressor is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 20 filings from 6 manufacturers and 13 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 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the HONDA CIVIC with 8 filings, followed by JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE and HYUNDAI SONATA. 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 | HONDA CIVIC | 8 |
| 2 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 1 |
| 3 | HYUNDAI SONATA | 1 |
| 4 | HONDA CR-V | 1 |
| 5 | GMC SIERRA 1500 | 1 |
| 6 | GMC CANYON | 1 |
| 7 | FORD MUSTANG | 1 |
| 8 | FORD EXPEDITION | 1 |
| 9 | FORD ESCAPE | 1 |
| 10 | FORD ECOSPORT | 1 |
| 11 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 1 |
| 12 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 1 |
| 13 | CHEVROLET EQUINOX | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle w
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle f
My car has 123,000 miles on it, it started with just aircon compressor not working then a week after the engine light started blinking and doesnât accelerate more than 60 in the interstate then ther
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that at start -up, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was ta
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front blower system was seized. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air condition was blowing hot air. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under an unknown recall
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle parked, the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted after an hour. On another occasion, while
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that upon activating the defroster during cold winter weather, he became aware that the defroster failed to properly defrost the front windshield
I bought my 2017 Civic 2.0L brand new. A few years later my A/C stops working in the middle of summer. Due to the cost of what it was going to cost me to have this fixed I had to delay getting my car
A/C system.- compressor &/or shaft seal leak- As we were driving our BRAND NEW Honda civic to Las Vegas for our daughterâs wedding on July 12, 2019 in the heat of 115 degrees, the AC stopped working
My 2016 Honda Civic started blowing warm air and within 24 hours I took it to my local Honda Dealership and had it inspected. I was told that there were two TRBs which may be related to the A/C syste
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, he smelled an abnormal odor. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he opened
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Civic Sedan. The contact stated the AC unit was blowing hot air through the vents. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a
AC COMPRESSOR, THIS IS THE 2ND CAR I HAVE OWED SAME YEAR. BECAUSE I OBVIOUSLY LOVE THESE CARS THAT THE AC COMPRESSOR HAS NEEDED FIXED. SO IT'S OBVIOUSLY BAD. *TR
I GOOGLED "AIR NOT WORKING 2016 SUBURBAN" EARLIER ON IN THE WEEK. I FOUND A VIDEO SAYING CHEVY HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR COMPRESSORS GOING BAD. WAS HOPING THAT WASN'T THE CASE WITH MINE. TOOK IT
THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO TURN ON MY AC FOR THE SUMMER 2020 SEASON ON MY 2017 HONDA CIVIC I NOTICED THAT IT WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. I TOOK MY CAR TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY IDENTIFIED NOT ONLY WAS MY
I PURCHASED A 2017 HONDA CIVIC IN NOVEMBER 2017. IN AUGUST 2018 THE AC WENT OUT. (I KNOW IN AUGUST RIGHT!). THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT HONDA REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE FOR THE O-RING. THE SERVICE
AT 70000 MILES, MY AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BEGAN TO HISS AND NOT OPERATE FULLY. I AM TOLD IT HAS A LEAK IN THE SYSTEM BUT AS I LOOK ONLINE, THIS IS A COMMON JEEP PROBLEM FOR 2015 MODELS. THEY ARE RECO
AC DOES NOT WORK THEY SAY IT IS THE COMPRESSOR. THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND THE 2017. *TR
VEHICLE BARELY 3 YEARS OLD AND THE AC COMPRESSOR IS BROKEN. BLOWING HOT AIR. CONTACTED GM AND WAS INITIALLY TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE AC SYSTEM. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE AND DISCOVERING THE CL
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:compressor issues? ▼
How dangerous are visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:compressor defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:compressor problems? ▼
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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.