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.

Data updated August 2026. Counts render from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation standardized component field; severity flags cross-reference NHTSA ODI complaint flags for owner-reported crash, fire, and injury markers. This page is for informational purposes and does not replace NHTSA recall notices or a vehicle-specific inspection. Methodology · Corrections.

NHTSA ODI component intake brief

ODI category VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

1,657 filings · 297 models · 43 makes · vintage August 2026

  • FILINGS MODERATE 1,657 ODI rows
  • MODELS 297 nameplates citing this part
  • MAKES 43 manufacturers in corpus
  • CRASH 0.9% 15 crash-flagged
  • RANK #117 of 696 categories
  • SEV INJURY 4 deaths · 104 injuries
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE (this)VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGE…1,657LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCHLATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:…1,654WHEELS:RIM1,676POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE1,678
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE vs nearest complaint-total peers

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE sits MODERATE on ODI intake volume (#117 of 696 standardized categories) with a INJURY severity stamp (4 reported fatalities across 297 models). Open Mitsubishi Diamante (category leader) →

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE filing-volume reading

The standout signal for visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core is ODI intake volume: 1,657 filings (MODERATE band · #117 of 696 standardized categories) across 297 nameplates. Crash-flag share is 0.9%.

Moderate-volume categories still show a fingerprint in the model table below, cross-check each nameplate's recall and investigation history before inferring a defect pattern.

Next step: compare Mitsubishi Diamante against LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH on filing totals before treating visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core volume as a purchase signal.

1,657
Complaints
297
Models Affected
15
Crashes
50
Fires
4
Deaths

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

2018 Ford Escape

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

2015 Volkswagen Passat

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 passenger’s side of the vehicle. A

2021 Tesla Model S

The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the message “Climate Control System Service Required” was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was tak

2020 KIA Telluride

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

2019 Honda CR-V

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

2022 RAM 2500

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,

2016 GMC Sierra Fire

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

2018 HONDA CR-V. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE SHUTTING OFF, DEFECTIVE HEATER, GAS IN THE OIL. *LD *JS

2012 Chrysler 200

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

2016 Mazda CX-5

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-

2012 Dodge Journey

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

2011 Chrysler 200

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

2013 Dodge Avenger

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

2013 Dodge Avenger

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

1995 Ford F-150

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

2012 Dodge Avenger

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

2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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

2007 Ford Mustang

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

2013 Dodge Avenger

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

2014 Dodge Avenger

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

Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.