Where Is the Defroster Located in a Car?

Reviewed by

Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Technical Reviewer at CarParts.com

Written by CarParts.com Research Team - Updated on September 25th, 2025

Reading Time: 2 minutes
Summary
  • The front defroster is in the dash near the windshield’s bottom, while the rear defroster has wires in the rear window glass.
  • The car defroster removes condensation, frost, snow, and ice from the windshield and car window glass.
  • You’ll usually need to remove interior panels to access the defroster.

Q: Where is the defroster located in a car?

The front defroster is in the dash near the bottom of the windshield. It has vents that direct the hot air from the heater to wash over the car window glass. Meanwhile, part of the rear defroster is in the rear window glass. If you look closely, you can see thin heated lines that run through the glass.

A car defroster removes condensation from the windshield and windows of your car. It also removes frost, snow, and ice that form on the window glass at low temperatures. The defroster improves visibility by keeping the glass clear.

When the defrost is engaged, the A/C compressor automatically engages, enabling the evaporator’s cold core to dehumidify the air before it is heated by passing through the heater core. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian

There are two types of car defrosters according to their location and operation. The front defroster blows hot air from the HVAC system onto the windshield, warming up the glass. Meanwhile, the rear defroster sends a current through the wires on the inside surface of the rear window glass. The current heats the wires, increasing the temperature of the glass surrounding them.

Tips on How to Access the Front Defroster

You’ll need to remove interior panels if you want to access the defroster. For the front defroster, remove the dashboard cover to expose the part.

The rear defroster is harder to locate and access. Depending on your car’s design, the defroster might be in the rear hatch or rear door. Remove the door panel to find the defroster. You might have to replace the entire rear window glass if the problem lies with the wires.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.

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Published by
CarParts.com Research Team and Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
Tags: defroster