Since vehicle was purchased in 12/04, rear window defroster performed very poorly. In 3/07 it ceased working, however dashboard control switch and I/P control relay appeared to remain functioning correctly. Troubleshooting revealed defective circuit breaker (mechanically broken armature) to be cause of complete failure. Following replacement of circuit breaker, I/P control relay, and antenna module, rear window defroster is back to performing poorly. Electrical grid appears to be functional - good heating pattern (when it heats) with no visually obvious defects. No obvious problems were found in I/P control relay and antenna module that were replaced. Electrical diagnosis indicates excessive current draw thru defroster grid, which causes circuit breaker to trip after several seconds of operation. Manually cycling the defroster control allows breaker to cool and can again be activated to provide 10-15 seconds of repeated operation. Note that electrically disconnecting the grid (at the window) does not cause the breaker to trip, indicating no short in the vehicle wiring harness. With possible exception of the oem circuit breaker, diagnosis revealed to obvious heat damage to any other components/wiring in the vehicle. Rear defroster grid appears to be source of the excessive electrical load in the circuit. Problem does not appear to be addressed in tsbs that I can locate to date. Discussions with several technicians has resulted in nothing more than guesses at this time.

- Cranberry Twp, PA, USA

While driving the car feels as if the transmission is failing, every turn you hear knocking and bumping, recently was told that the rack and pinion needs to replaced the car has only 60,000 miles. I have had it for 2 years and I have had several proplems. My ac works however only the passenger side of the heating unit works. The knock soud occurred immediately after purchase the dealer ship sad nothing was wrong with the car. I have a friend with the same vehicle and had the same issue with the knock and bumping fortunaely there car was totalled and they were not injuried at least they are no longer resonsible for this lemon.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

: the contact stated while driving 55mph, smoke was noticed coming from the back rear window. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road for inspection. The vehicle proceeded to erupt into flames and engulf the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire and provided a written report. The fire marshals report stated the fire was electrical and started with a short in the wiring to the rear defroster. The vehicle was inspected by the insurance company and deemed totaled.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA