Component

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW

375 NHTSA complaints about visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:rear window issues across 31 makes and 125 models.

The visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:rear window is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 375 filings from 31 manufacturers and 125 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 2 crashes, 33 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD F-150 with 95 filings, followed by HONDA HR-V and CHEVROLET IMPALA. 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.

375
Complaints
125
Models Affected
2
Crashes
33
Fires
0
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD F-150 95
2 HONDA HR-V 24
3 CHEVROLET IMPALA 20
4 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE 12
5 CHEVROLET MALIBU 10
6 OLDSMOBILE ALERO 9
7 FORD MUSTANG 7
8 FORD EXPLORER 6
9 CHRYSLER SEBRING 6
10 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 5
11 GMC SIERRA 1500 5
12 TOYOTA COROLLA 4
13 PONTIAC GRAND AM 4
14 FORD ESCAPE 4
15 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 4
16 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 4
17 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 4
18 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 4
19 BUICK PARK AVENUE 4
20 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA 3
21 TOYOTA CAMRY 3
22 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 3
23 ISUZU RODEO 3
24 INFINITI G35 3
25 HYUNDAI PALISADE 3
26 HYUNDAI ACCENT 3
27 GEO METRO 3
28 FORD WINDSTAR 3
29 DODGE INTREPID 3
30 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 3

Recent Complaints

2014 GMC SIERRA 1500

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. While the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that there was smoke coming from the rear window and the window shatt

2018 GMC SIERRA 1500

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH with the rear window defroster activated, there was a burning rubber odor inside the cabin of the vehicle

2015 FORD EDGE

I believe there's a Manufactuing defect with my rear defrost. I woke up this morning to my back windshield blowing out. The temperature was not cold nor there was nothing felled on it. My car was par

2023 HONDA HR-V

The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that upon closing the front driver’s side door, the rear windshield shattered into several small pieces. The vehicle was taken to the local dea

2023 HONDA HR-V

The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH with the rear defroster activated, there was a loud booming sound heard and the rear hatchback windshield

2023 HONDA HR-V

The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V782000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stat

2023 HONDA HR-V

My 2023 Honda hrv was parked. The weather was clear, sunny and around 50 degrees. I entered my vehicle and closed the door. The rear window shattered out of nowhere. The car was not turned on. T

2023 HONDA HR-V

The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot at night, the contact heard a loud explosion. The contact exited the vehicle to check the surr

2023 HONDA HR-V

We bought a 2023 HRV last year and yesterday out of the blue my back window exploded while it was parked. It’s clearly shattered from the inside out. We took it to our local Honda service center and

2023 HONDA HR-V

My rear glass shattered on its own.I got off work got in the car closed the-drivers side front door and the rear glass shattered. it was not bumped or hit by anything. I called Honda dealership and

2023 HONDA HR-V

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Rear windshield How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? yes Has the problem been re

2023 HONDA HR-V

The contact owns a 2023 Honda HR-V. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle and closing the door, the rear windshield shattered without impact. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, wh

2023 HONDA HR-V

I was driving on the highway and then I heard a loud boom, and looked in my rearview mirror and my rear window was shattered. I had to pull over and there was no sign of any impact. I was so terrified

2023 HONDA HR-V

After leaving work on 11/13/23, I came out to my car which had been parked since 9am and the rear window (back window) was completely shattered. This was the first day since last year that I had turne

2023 HONDA HR-V

I was sitting at a light after using the rear defroster and the rear window exploded from the inside. Honda will not take any responsibility even though there are many complaints.

2023 HONDA HR-V

Rear window shattered/blew out. Was cold out and Rear defroster was on.

2023 HONDA HR-V

Rear window totally shattered. At approx 7:30 am, the rear defroster was used to defrost the rear window. It was approx 35 degrees F in the morning. After driving the car approximately 4 miles. Th

2023 HONDA HR-V

The back glass exploded. When I looked online, there are many complaints about this dangerous occurrence. If our grandchildren had been in the back, they might have been killed. Honda surely knows of

2023 HONDA HR-V

I used the defroster for 10-15 minutes as I could not see out the back window. I turned it off, parked, and idled while answering email. I heard an explosion. Checked all windows, no gusts of cold air

2023 HONDA HR-V

I had the heat on in my vehicle and as I was driving I heard a loud popping sound which startled me. Once I pulled over, I realized my rear windshield shattered. There were no warning lights before th

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:rear window issues?
The NHTSA has received 375 complaints about visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:rear window problems across 125 vehicle models from 31 manufacturers.
How dangerous are visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:rear window defects?
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW issues have been linked to 2 crashes, 33 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:rear window problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:rear window issues is the FORD F-150 with 95 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

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.

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