This is the first winter I've had my xB and my wife and I noticed last night while driving on the interstate that there is a large amount of cold air rushing into the passenger compartment right behind the glove box. I noticed it because my legs were getting really cold so I started feeling around and when you open the glove box, you can feel a cold wind blowing in between the top of the glove box and the bottom of the tray that sits above it. I haven't pulled the glove box yet to inspect it but wanted to see if anyone else has noticed this. I thought maybe a hose going to the blower has become disconnected but all the vents seem to be working properly with the right amount and temperature of air coming out. The amount of air blowing in is linked to how fast the car is going, not the speed of the blower. Ideas?

 

okay, my dad and I checked it out and there seems to be a piece of plastic with a rubber gasket around it on top of the heater core. This piece seems to be the end of the tube where fresh air comes in. For some reason that piece can rotate up and when it is in that position cold air rushes in. If it is flipped down then no cold air and all is going into the heater core. we are not sure how this piece is suppose to be secured or why it can flip up so easily. Maybe it give access to cabin filter?

 

take it to the dealer they should be able to fix it under warranty. as long as your not over the factory warranty.

 

Almost sounds like a fresh/recerculate air flap of some sort. Dealer needs to look at it. Man I hate saying those words!

 

There's a fresh air/recirculate pushbutton on the HVAC control panel (below the radio -- center of the leftmost control). Perhaps it's set to fresh? Though still, when in the fresh air position, the air should still come out the vents, not just anywhere. Sounds like something's loose .

 

I had the same problem with mine, too. It turned out to be a loose cover on the cabin air filter compartment behind the glove box. There's a procedure in the owner's manual for getting at this filter, with pictures, very helpful. It's a DIY thing that takes about 5 minutes. BTW, if your filter is really dirty, like black, don't use a paper aftermarket replacement product, get the fiber one. The paper really chokes off the air flow, critical in a northern climate like mine.