Complaint 2228996

Complaint Summary

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Owner Narrative

In June 2026, the HVAC system in my 2019 Honda Civic 2.0L failed because the evaporator core developed a premature leak or crack. AutoNation Honda O’Hare inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the evaporator core as the failed component. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This failure creates a serious visibility hazard. During rain and humid conditions, the windshield and side windows fog rapidly. Because the air-conditioning system can no longer adequately remove moisture from the cabin air, the defrost and defog functions do not clear the glass effectively. This can severely obstruct my view of the road, nearby vehicles, pedestrians, and other hazards while driving. I have also noticed a persistent chemical odor coming from the vents. Because the evaporator core is located inside the HVAC housing, I am concerned that refrigerant, compressor oil, or other HVAC residue may be entering the passenger compartment. This creates a potential exposure concern, especially when the vehicle is operated with the windows closed. I received no specific dashboard warning that the evaporator core was failing. The first noticeable symptoms were reduced cooling, ineffective windshield defogging, and the chemical odor from the vents. Honda has extended warranty coverage for certain air-conditioning condenser and compressor failures affecting this generation of Civic, but it does not cover the evaporator core. I contacted Honda and requested goodwill assistance with the costly repair. Honda refused to provide any goodwill discount despite the known pattern of air-conditioning failures and the safety consequences of losing effective windshield dehumidification. I request that NHTSA investigate evaporator-core failures in 10th-generation Honda Civics and determine whether a safety recall or expanded manufacturer remedy is warranted.

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.