Seeking Advice on Troubleshooting Heated Windows Issue in 2007 Kia Rio

Hey there! Just had a similar issue with my 2010 Kia Optima not too long ago. I’m not a mechanic myself, but I understand your symptoms pretty well. I had got the same fault message on my dashboard and my windshield wouldn't heat up for nothing. Thought it was a fuse issue, turns out it was a problem with the heating element for the windshield. From my last garage visit, it turned out to be a defective windshield heating element too, as you suspected for your car. My mechanic caught it during a regular checkup, and it needed a replacement. Not gonna lie, I was worried at first too, as getting underneath the car's windshield does sound like a big deal. But the good news, it wasn't a major issue or anything. Those guys had a bit of work to do but took care of it efficiently. They had to remove and replace the heating element... yup, all without much drama. Just remember to get it done sooner as you can't risk your windshield freezing up in winter or foggy mornings. So, calm those nerves and head to your mechanic again. Cheers!

Hey there! Thanks a bunch for sharing your firsthand experience with a similar issue in your Kia Optima. It certainly eases my nerves knowing that it's not a terribly major issue. Though, since this isn't my wheelhouse, I was wondering if you recall how much your mechanic charged for this repair? I’m trying to estimate the expense before I make that garage appointment. And was there anything else that popped up during this fix? Also, how's the heating system holding up since the repair? Admittedly, just a bit anxious and really don't want any surprises here. Anyway, really appreciate your help! Cheers!

Hey! I totally get where you're coming from. Nobody likes unwelcome surprises, especially when it involves your ride. As for the cost, my mechanic charged me a pretty penny, to be honest. If memory serves me right, I had to shell out around 585.00 € to fix that pesky windshield heating element. But hey, at least the issue got sorted out for good, worth every penny indeed. As for your second question, nope, nothing else popped up during the fix. My mechanic knows his stuff, so he handled it pretty smooth. Since the repair, the windscreen's heating has been working like a charm, no more early morning windshield scraping for me! I had that repair done just before winter set in, and it's been smooth sailing so far. No problems whatsoever, a functional limitation was a thing of the past once the mechanic did his magic. So there you have it. I'd say it's worth getting it sorted as soon as you can. All the best!

Hey again! You aren’t kidding about nobody liking unwelcome surprises, especially when it comes to car trouble. And I totally agree, having a functional windshield heater is crucial during those frosty winter mornings. That €585 stings a little, but knowing it ultimately gets rid of the problem does make it easier to swallow. It's also quite a relief knowing nothing else crept up during your repair - here's hoping my experience mirrors that! The point about no further issues post-repair definitely puts me more at ease. Guess it's time I bit the bullet and booked that garage appointment to deal with it asap. Thanks a lot for your thorough response, genuinely helpful and super encouraging. Wish me luck! Cheers!