Posted on 9/26/2025
Turning on your car’s heater should bring warm, comfortable air into the cabin, not an unpleasant odor. If you’ve noticed a burning plastic smell when running the heat, it’s a sign that something isn’t quite right. While some causes are minor, others can point to more serious problems that need immediate attention to keep your vehicle safe and reliable. How Your Heater Works Your vehicle’s heating system uses engine heat to warm the air inside the cabin. Coolant absorbs heat from the engine and circulates through the heater core, where a fan pushes air across it and into the cabin vents. Because the heater ties into the cooling and electrical systems, strange smells can come from several different components. Understanding the possible sources helps you figure out whether it’s something simple or an issue that needs professional attention. Common Causes of Burning Plastic Smells Although the smell itself can be a ... read more