Component
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
1,657 NHTSA complaints about visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core issues across 43 makes and 297 models.
The visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,657 filings from 43 manufacturers and 297 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 15 crashes, 50 fires, 104 injuries, and 4 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE with 179 filings, followed by JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE and FORD TAURUS. 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 | MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE | 179 |
| 2 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 91 |
| 3 | FORD TAURUS | 82 |
| 4 | VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | 63 |
| 5 | VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO | 56 |
| 6 | EAGLE PREMIER | 47 |
| 7 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 41 |
| 8 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 40 |
| 9 | MITSUBISHI GALANT | 36 |
| 10 | FORD ESCORT | 29 |
| 11 | MERCURY SABLE | 28 |
| 12 | FORD EXPLORER | 26 |
| 13 | FORD WINDSTAR | 22 |
| 14 | FORD F-150 | 21 |
| 15 | DODGE DAKOTA | 19 |
| 16 | DODGE AVENGER | 19 |
| 17 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 19 |
| 18 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 18 |
| 19 | VOLKSWAGEN FOX | 17 |
| 20 | FORD AEROSTAR | 17 |
| 21 | VOLKSWAGEN GOLF | 16 |
| 22 | FORD MUSTANG | 16 |
| 23 | CHEVROLET S10 | 16 |
| 24 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 16 |
| 25 | CHRYSLER 200 | 15 |
| 26 | HYUNDAI EXCEL | 14 |
| 27 | FORD CONTOUR | 13 |
| 28 | BMW 325 | 13 |
| 29 | MERCURY VILLAGER | 12 |
| 30 | FORD RANGER | 11 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on January 11th, 2026, the vehicle was purchased and the contact discovered later that the heater was inoperable. The vehicle was returned
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that cool air was being blown inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the heater failed to heat the passengerâs side of the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the message âClimate Control System Service Requiredâ was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while her husband was seated in the vehicle at below 5-degree Fahrenheit, he became aware that the heater and defogger was inoperable. N
The contact owns a 2019 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while idled, the heater and defogger system failed to operate above 40 degrees. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to t
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 2500. The contact stated the heater was not functioning properly. The contact stated that he could hear air coming through the vents however, the windshield was fogging up,
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH with the defroster engaged, she noticed smoke on the rear electric sliding glass window and smelled a burning o
2018 HONDA CR-V. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE SHUTTING OFF, DEFECTIVE HEATER, GAS IN THE OIL. *LD *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER 200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PASSENGER SIDE BLOWER FAILED TO BLOW HOT AIR WHICH CAUSED THE DEFROSTER TO BECOME INOPERABLE. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS LIMITED VISIBILIT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLES MAZDA (6387 AIRPORT PULLING RD N, NAPLES, FL 34109, 239-597-
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER FAILED TO FUNCTION AND COULD NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHRYSLER 200. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR VENTS WOULD NOT BLOW HOT AIR AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD COULD NOT BE DEFROSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CRO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, THE PASSENGER SIDE VENT DISTRIBUTED COLD AIR WHILE THE DRIVER'S SIDE VENT DISTRIBUTED HOT AIR AND FAILED TO DEFROST THE WINDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT PRESSED THE HEATER BUTTON AND FELT COLD AIR COMING FROM THE VENTS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE VENT. THE CONTACT OPENED THE WINDOWS AND CONTINUED TO DRI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HEAT THE VEHICLE AND ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER, THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE FEATURES WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND ONLY TWO VENTS CLEARED THE FOG FROM THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD MUSTANG. EACH TIME IT RAINED, WATER ENTERED INTO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANELS, THE TRUNK, PILLAR PANEL, THE HEADLINER BORDER PANEL, AND THE CARPET. THE CA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE AVENGER. WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, COLD AIR BLEW OUT AND THE DEFROSTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATER COR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENT CONTROL FUNCTION WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO HEAT THE VEHICLE. CRYSTAL CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP OF BROOKSVILLE (1
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core issues? ▼
How dangerous are visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core 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.