Component
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:CONDENSOR/EVAPORATOR
17 NHTSA complaints about visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:condensor/evaporator issues across 9 makes and 16 models.
The visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:condensor/evaporator is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 17 filings from 9 manufacturers and 16 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 2 filings, followed by SUBARU FORESTER and NISSAN VERSA. 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 | 2 |
| 2 | SUBARU FORESTER | 1 |
| 3 | NISSAN VERSA | 1 |
| 4 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 1 |
| 5 | HYUNDAI SANTA FE | 1 |
| 6 | GMC YUKON XL | 1 |
| 7 | GMC YUKON | 1 |
| 8 | GMC SIERRA 1500 | 1 |
| 9 | GMC SAVANA 1500 | 1 |
| 10 | FORD MUSTANG | 1 |
| 11 | FORD EXPLORER | 1 |
| 12 | FORD EXPEDITION | 1 |
| 13 | CHEVROLET TRAX | 1 |
| 14 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 1 |
| 15 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 1 |
| 16 | BUICK ENVISTA | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air conditioning system became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The conta
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the air conditioner was blowing out hot air, and there was steam coming out of the passenger's side air conditioner vents.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds in hot climate, the air conditioning failed to blow cold air. No warning light was illumi
The contact owned a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH on the highway, the contact and his wife noticed an abnormal odor coming from the air conditioning unit. The contac
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic wher
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the A/C unit had failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnosti
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed in hot weather less than a month after purchasing the vehicle brand new, the A/C became inoperable. The
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the A/C System was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the A/C condenser had failed and needed to be
The contact owns a 2024 Buick Envista. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air conditioner became inoperable. The contact stated that the air conditioner was not blowing
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air conditioner system blew out hot air when activated. As a result, the children in the vehicle felt overwhelmed by the impact of th
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started in the morning and the air conditioning system was activated, there was a mildew odor inside the vehicle.
The AC evaporator core in my care was leaking and randomly the windshield would get very fogged up when driving until the unit completely broke and had to be replaced. The dealer in writing told me it
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that she noticed that the air conditioner was blowing hot air. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the veh
AIR CONDITIONER IN 2016 CIVIC FAILED IN NOVEMBER OF 2019. HONDA COVERED THE CONDENSER BUT CHARGE FULL RACK TO REPLACE A CONNECTING HOSE, $450. NOW JUNE OF 2020 SAME ISSUE WHERE A/C IS BLOWING HOT AIR.
TLA* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NIACIN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EVAPORATED COIL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE EVAPORATED COIL, BUT DID
2015 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A LEAK IN THE CONDENSER. *LD *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:condensor/evaporator issues? ▼
How dangerous are visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:condensor/evaporator defects? ▼
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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.