I just bought this car with only 36k miles and the heat takes 15 minutes to blow warm air. Does this signify a big problem?

Have you checked the coolant level?

That seems pretty normal, the heater works by blowing excess heat from the engine coolant. So the coolant has to be warmed completely for the heat to work, you can get a heater that plugs into your cigarette lighter that will heat the vehicle instantly.

60/40 mix for colder weather

mamoore4u . check for a faulty vacum line at your heater by pass heater hose,

I would change the Thermostat. if that doesn't fix it? I would buy a Radiator flush and follow the directions exactly you will be surprised how much junk comes out. That should fix all your heat problems.

the first step is to verify coolant level, if its ok, then replace the thermostat. while you are there, you may flush the heater core, make sure water flows easily in both directions.

You might check the coolant level after the engine cools,if it's low add 50/50 mixture of coolant and water. Keep an eye on the level to see if it happens again. You might have a small leak in the system. Good luck

It is most likely a thermostat. As your car gets older the thermostat begins to lose its spring like properties and stays open all the time causing your car to never warm up.

If you can't tackle right away, start your car in the morning and let it run for about 15 minutes to warm up. Be sure to turn the heat on full blast and recirculate the air.

I am having/had the same problem. My rear heater has not worked the last 2 winters, still trying to figure that one out. But I think I solved the front heat problem myself. The heater was blowing cold air while idling and hot air when the car was moving.

I jacked up the front of the vehicle, took the cap off of the reserve tank for the radiator, turned the car on and ran the heat (AC off) for 15 minutes. This is supposed to release any air bubbles in the coolant system and I did see air bubbles emerge as I was watching (this might be normal occurance, I'm far from a mechanical expert). Anyway, this did not immediately solve the problem, still blowing cold air as it sat there idling after 15 minutes. Dejected, I put the cap back on, lowered the vehicle and resigned myself to taking it to a dealer.

But a funny thing happened the next day, the coolant level was a lower (no leaks on the floor) so I filled up, and sure enough, when I started the car and let it warm up a little, hot air started coming out of the heater!!!

As far as my wife knows, I fixed the problem for the price of a bottle of coolant, so I am a hero...but at first I thought it didn't work. Here we are a month later and still blowing warm air and haven't had to replace any more coolant...the internet is a wonderful thing!

Hope this works for you, and I hope I can figure out my rear heater problem as well.