NHTSA Complaint #10822778 — 2016 MAZDA CX-5

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE 25 F OR LOWER AND IT IS SNOWING, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR OF ICE. WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS 25 TO 50 MPH ON LOCAL ROADS AND HIGHWAYS, THE SNOW WOULD MELT ON CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD, REFREEZE, AND THE WIPERS WOULD FREEZE SOLID AND NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD OVER A LARGE PART OF THE GLASS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER'S EYES. NO CHANGE WAS NOTED WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLING AT STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS. WE HAD TO STOP EVERY SEVERAL MINUTES AND USE A SCRAPER TO REMOVE THE WINDSHIELD ICE TO SEE SAFELY. THIS CONDITION MAKES FOR VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS WINTER PRECIPITATION DRIVING. IRONICALLY, WE BOUGHT THIS ALL-WHEEL VEHICLE MAINLY FOR JUST THIS TYPE OF DRIVING IN SNOWY MOUNTAIN AREAS WHERE WE DRIVE FREQUENTLY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED UNDER WARRANTY. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE DEFROSTER AND WIPERS AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS WORKING PROPERLY AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AS THE CARE DOES NOT PREFORM UNDER THE EXACT WINTER CONDITIONS WE PRIMARILY BOUGHT IT FOR.