Is anyone experiencing a sour smell coming from the air vents? It only happens when I am not using the AC but jut air through the vents. I have taken it into the service department and of course I couldn't replicate it when I was there. They did flush the AC lines (took several hours) but it didn't fix the problem. They kept telling me it is the odor from leather seats on the Limited model, which I know it isn't.
I have had this odor problem in past vehicles but only after a few years, never have I had this issue since I bought the car new. I now have over 5k miles on it the odor is still there. I don't really use the AC that much but find myself using it more than usual because I can't stand that odor!
My Lexus GX 470 and SC 300 did the same thing. It turned out to be condensation (moisture) collecting on the replaceable air conditioner filter and then souring.
I have had the same problem and had Toyota check my 2013 Touring at the 5K service. They said there was no problem with the filter or the condensate drain lines.
Try to run your AC with fresh air and not recirculate. I think when you run the A/C in "Auto" mode, it will choose recirculate more often than not. I've hit the "Auto" button, and then hit the Fresh/Recirculate button to make sure I'm always using fresh air.
When you reach your destination after running the AC for a long time, look under your car to see if there is any condensation draining from the car. If there is no condensation draining, it might indicate the lines are clogged.
Agree with optics.... when you choose auto on the climate control and the temp is at or over a certain outside temp (around 80ish) it will be in recirculate mode for the duration..I will hit the recirculation button after a bit to put it in fresh mode... try that, I bet it helps... My corvette( as well as most cars I have owned) will start in recirculation mode on a hot day then automatically switch to fresh at a certain point after it has cooled off the interior a bit... I really wish the Avalon did this as well..
It does....I got bored on a long trip and was wondering the same thing, and kept hitting the auto button to see what the system was doing...once the vehicle cooled down, and depending on the outside temp, I watched it go from re-circ to outside air and say there...maybe it's just not as sensitive as some other systems as the re-circ mode might allow the system to draw less electricity while keeping the cabin cool??
I'm not sure if everyone is aware that when you have the HVAC on Auto, quoting from page 241 of the V6 manual:
During automatic operation, the operation status of fan speed, air outlet mode, outside/recirculated air mode and whether the A/C is on or off can be confirmed on the display by touching Auto.
By the way, page 246 of the V6 manual does indicate that the outside/recirculated air setting may switch automatically, depending on inside and outside temperatures, temperature setting and coolant temperature.
My TAH with 1,500 miles just started to spew smelly air from the vents. Never had this problem with any other car I've owned. I suppose I'll put it on the list for the 5K mile service.
I was just about to post a similar subject when I found this one. The last few days I've noticed a strong musky/moldy smell coming from the A/C vents about 60 - 90 seconds after starting the car. It goes away in about 10 minutes.
I always leave my climate control on Auto, and it is always in fresh air mode. If I come into a dusty situation I manually switch to recirc. I've never seen it switch on its own.
I'm at 6,500k miles, so I will probably schedule an in between service visit to fix this problem.
I was just about to post a similar subject when I found this one. The last few days I've noticed a strong musky/moldy smell coming from the A/C vents about 60 - 90 seconds after starting the car. It goes away in about 10 minutes.
I always leave my climate control on Auto, and it is always in fresh air mode. If I come into a dusty situation I manually switch to recirc. I've never seen it switch on its own.
I'm at 6,500k miles, so I will probably schedule an in between service visit to fix this problem.
I need to correct this post. The default mode for Auto is recirc, and that is the mode that causes the odor. Anytime you want to switch from recirc to fresh you have to press the button. Unfortunately, when you start the car the system doesn't tell you what mode you are in. The screen is blank until you hit the recirc/fresh button.
The manual also suggests running the a/c in fresh mode if you are having odors. The manual says it uses more fuel to run in fresh mode.
I notice the oder after 3000 miles and recently went to dealer for service and told them about the odor and they say to use fresh air to dry out evaporator and I'm still having same odor 1 week later. The time I notice the smell after 3000 miles, is the same time my front and rear tint started to blur.
On October 17, 2013, Toyota and the NTHSA issused a recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V44200) relating to a clogged air conditioner drain. While the recall might not be related to your problem, often a clogged drain line results in standing water accumulating in the air conditoning condenser. This water then becomes moldy or otherwise fouled causing unpleasant odors.
The more serious problem and the reason for the recall is that if enough water builds up, it may leak into the air bag control module, causing the airbags to become disabled or inadvertantly deploy.
The evaporator is the source. The water thats is left on the evaporator due to humidity that causes the smell. its a dark and humid place for molds/bacteria to grow. To prevent this, turn off the A/C and have the fan on HIGH speed a minute or two before you arrive at your destination. This will dry out the evaporator so you won't have the stinky smell.
I always have my car on fresh air mode and I have also tried turning off the AC before reaching my destination and turning on the fan on high but both did not work for me.
I have a 2013 Avalon that has the same musty DOG odor. Toyota dealer has sent me on the "odor not there", "set the AC to fresh air", "spray the ducts with Lysol", "foam the ac evaporator with Toyota AC Refresh Air', but so far the only thing that has worked is, The climate in Iowa has turned cold and no more problem. The mold doesn't grow in the cold climate, or The AC doesn't turn on in the cold!!
Yes I know that next spring I will have the same problem but by then I hope y=one of you have solved the problem and have an answer for me. Please let us know if anyone gets theirs fixed. I didn't give this type of money to have a vehicle smell like a musty dog.
I have a 2013 Avalon that has the same musty DOG odor. Toyota dealer has sent me on the "odor not there", "set the AC to fresh air", "spray the ducts with Lysol", "foam the ac evaporator with Toyota AC Refresh Air', but so far the only thing that has worked is, The climate in Iowa has turned cold and no more problem. The mold doesn't grow in the cold climate, or The AC doesn't turn on in the cold!!
Yes I know that next spring I will have the same problem but by then I hope y=one of you have solved the problem and have an answer for me. Please let us know if anyone gets theirs fixed. I didn't give this type of money to have a vehicle smell like a musty dog.
I live in Los Angeles and the weather is still warm here. After they did the air refresh the smell seems to have gone away for the most part. If I smell anything it's very faint & definitely not as foul as it was before. So far so good...keeping my fingers crossed that it worked and hoping it's not because the weather has cooled down.
My dealer in Casselberry, FL told me the fix from Toyota ( for the A/C related recall) should be shared with dealers in a week or so. In the meantime, they are "not permitted" to sell the effected new 2013 models until the recall has been completed - so i've been told. That's a big incentive for Toyota to get the fix done quick. Make me wonder to what danger we are being exposed. Not worrying - still driving. They also have my second and factory "final" headliner in stock waiting for me. I'll get them both done at once. Just how many more times will they be taking apart and putting together my new expensive car?????
My dealer in Casselberry, FL told me the fix from Toyota ( for the A/C related recall) should be shared with dealers in a week or so. In the meantime, they are "not permitted" to sell the effected new 2013 models until the recall has been completed - so i've been told. That's a big incentive for Toyota to get the fix done quick. Make me wonder to what danger we are being exposed. Not worrying - still driving. They also have my second and factory "final" headliner in stock waiting for me. I'll get them both done at once. Just how many more times will they be taking apart and putting together my new expensive car?????
Is the A/C related odor fix a Recall or Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)? Recalls are usually for safety related issues and TSBs are for other issues. Please post a copy of whichever one it is if you can get a copy of it.
I try to switch to outside air almost immediately when running the A/C... It is set to be on recirculate almost all the time in this car... my other cars will switch over when the inside cools down a bit...
As a habit I always manually turn on recirc when I start my car and make sure it stays there by looking at the display... Ive been driving that way since I got my car in May..so that also doesn't work :-(
Well, I had the recall fixed a few weeks ago and unfortunately the sour smell is still there. The dealer always tries to suggest keeping the car on "fresh air mode". When I tell them I always keep it that way, they seem surprised. Well this last service rep suggested I run my car on HIGH heat, vented to the floor for about 20mins or so. He says that should dry up the condensation tray. I tried it and it works but only temporarily.
Oh by the way the service rep even told me that the recall fix would not solve my smell issue. I can't believe that I am still dealing with this issue and they have no fix for it. :headbang:
I've also had the A/C recall done. They documented the wet dog smell on my records then they cleaned the evap core and installed a new charcoal filter ("air refiner"). But it's been cool here in Central Florida and A/C use has been minimum. I did detect a slight odor the other day upon start up, and I expect the odor to return as the weather warms up. If so….. back to the dealer.
It has also been cool here in California but the sour smell still comes out of the vents when I use the heat. I understand that this may happen in the Summer when I am running the AC but don't think it should be happening in the Winter when I am running the heat.
This is strange that the default mode is "recirc" (I guess to get the extra mpg).
My wife's car (a '13 Jag XF 4 cyl) has the default mode of "outside air" and if you switch it to "recirc" it puts it on a timer for 15 minutes then reverts back to "outside air".
I have been experiencing the same issue. My dealer says the issue is widespread and under scrutiny by Toyota. However, there is no official fix available at this time .
2013 Avalon Touring Nautical Blue - Black interior
Dealer put a premium charcoal air filter in my 2013 Limited (just over 7k on it) this morning and said that would stop the smell. He also said not to run it a 60, or if you do, make sure you bump it up to 68 - 70 after the car cools down. Running it low all the time cause condensation inside the ac that produces the sour smell. that and running the fresh air is better for the ac and the odor to keep it smelling good.
I'm in the same boat as well. Without even saying anything, my kids even smelled it and asked me what the nasty smell was. I plan on saying something when I take it in for an oil change.
Well, I took my car in for service today and of course they told me they couldn't smell the sour smell from the vents. They said the evaporator did not smell either and said that it was my dirty cabin filter. I had them replace it with the charcoal filter which ended up costing me $70. Although I feel like they shouldn't have charged me for the filter since this has been an issue since I purchased my car, I let it slide.
I had also complained about the creaking from the dash and they couldn't duplicate that problem. I figured they wouldn't hear it since this usually happens in the morning when it is colder but as drove my car away from the lot at 4pm, I could hear it but didn't have the time to take it back.
Hopefully this new filter will fix this odor problem. Oh, btw the filter itself cost $35 and the labor was $35. I did a little you tubing on how to replace the cabin filter and it looks so easy. In the future I will be ordering my filter online and replacing my filter myself lol.
They did not charge me anything for my filter. I watched them install, it only took 2 minutes. Service manager said he would take care of it this time and the next one would be mine.
I figured I would let it slide since my car now has over 20k miles and they would argue that it was time for a replacement anyway. It sure would've been nice if they included it in the service at no charge. Why had they not checked this the other numerous times I brought my car in? I think it is all scam to take my money lol.
Just an update on the smell. It is still there even after changing the filter to a charcoal one. Smell isn't as bad as it was before I took it in for the last service but it is about the same as it was when I first noticed the smell @ about 3000 miles.
Another owner with sour A/C smell. 2013 Avalon Limited with 2K miles. Took it in to the dealer today .. same line about keeping it on fresh air and wanted me to pay $45 for a carbon filter. We had been keeping the A/C in "ECO" mode which probably limits outside air intake.
That keeping it on fresh air would help only makes sense from the perspective of condensing more water (outside air is more humid than inside air that has been dehumidified). Increased water flow could tend to keep mold flushed out IF THE DRAIN IS NOT PLUGGED. My feel is that there is a design defect with a low spot so that all the water does not drain from the evaporator case after the car is shut down. I cannot see how keeping it on outside air would help to "dry the case" as the dealer rep said.
Taking a long trip next week. If the problem is still there, I may try pushing some "simple green" up the drain hose.
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