Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element
- Component
- Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element
- Manufacturer
- General Motors LLC
- Vehicles affected
- 42,696
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2013-11-13
- Owners notified
- 2013-12-06
Defect description
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through November 5, 2013. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in these vehicles may intermittently become inoperable when the vehicle is started, preventing the windshield defroster from working. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Safety risk
The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic climate control module software, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13380.