[FKHeath]

I think you need to have the climate system set to Auto for this to work.

Not so. As I said before, the outside air mode is automatically selected every time you turn the car off per the owners manual:

You need to switch to the fresh air from cabin recirculate while the RAV is still running and driving in order to get a larger volume of air being drawn into the system. The latest video from the CarCareNut NOW recommends switching off the A/C button as well as the recirculate button and turning the fan onto high when you are 5 minutes from home to dry everything off.

That is nothing new. The T-SB for AC smells has, for years, said to turn off the cooling and set it to outside air mode when parking the car (there is an earlier version of this T-SB that came out in 2013):
Toyota A/C smells

 

[Toyoga]

This is from page 340 of the manual for the 2023.

 

[Cavalry]

I've had this problem with nearly every vehicle. I've developed a habit of turning recirculate (max button if so labeled) to OFF when I enter my neighborhood (if I'm even using it). Then when I turn on my street I hit the AC button to turn off the compressor while leaving the blower fan ON. I haven't had a problem since. You have to "blow the cold" off of that evaporator coil or water will condense and drip off of it. This is less of an issue these days since some manufacturers did address it but in humid climates, it can still be an issue. This habit cured it for me.

I bought a 2015 Hyundai Genesis used a couple of years ago (yeah, I know, don't rub it in, I wised up and sold it when the warranty was done). It had a mild but persistent case of this. I tried everything I knew to try which wasn't much at the time. I sprayed Lysol near the interior and exterior air intakes a few times (with the system running of course) and that didn't do it. I bought the professional spray treatment mentioned above and THAT didn't do it. The dealer offered to take care if it with a $200 overnight procedure but I did more research and discovered an OZONE generator (which by the way is all they were going to do). I bought one and it's fantastic. I used to be a boat broker and it took care of that musty smell in boat cabins and closed spaces. It completely removed the bad cigarette smell in a friend's vehicle he was selling. I used it to get rid of that musty smell in my basement. However, they can be dangerous. The ozone kills any living thing it just depends on the exposure and time. It will kill insects, plants and even pets if the exposure is long enough. It also will begin to dissolve some rubbers and will even corrode metal but you won't ever have it on that long. Just be aware of this and follow the instructions, especially the warnings. It's a source of controversy on the Internet (what isn't! LOL) and that is the reason why so as long as you are aware and take precautions and LIMIT the exposure times, it's perfectly safe and incredibly effective.

 

[Variman]

When parked and in ready mode, my 2019 XSE AC is in recirculate mode, i just confirmed. Perhaps when the car is off it goes into fresh air mode as the manual states?

I suspect that the fan helps dry thing out quicker so I will use fresh air mode, with the AC off from time to time (in ready mode). I tried fresh air with the AC on but it seems like things freshen up more with the AC off, in fresh air mode, just my experience

I also run the heat from time to time to circulate coolant to the heater core (i live in FL) FWIW

 

[Karenjohnthomas]

Do not recerculate the cold air. You may not have to blow hot air into the car for 5 minutes at the end of the drive

 

[JFox562]

The Care Care Nut guy has a new video regarding this issue:

 

[Steveaux]

My mother (in her 80s) bought a pre-owned 2017 Camry in 2019 from the dealer in Brantford and was sold the Platinum Extended Warranty package as she did not want to face any unexpected large repair bills. Toyota's reputation as highly reliable, long lived vehicles was a major consideration. She noticed no bad smells as many report from the AC vents but did discover not just damp but soaking wet carpets under the passenger floor mats in front and rear. The dealer removed the carpeting to discover pooled water and also extensive "toxic" mold throughout over 50% of the vehicle floor. No blockage in the "accessible" AC system was visible so the "water is suspected to be entering and or building up in the evaporator case". However "no immediate evidence suggests that the case is cracked and or leaking". As to determine this would require significant labour to remove the dash my mother has been advised it's her expense to do so. Regardless, she has been given an estimate of over $5k to clean the mess and the mold itself and that still wouldn't prevent the issue repeatng itself as "moisture is present in any vehicle and bacteria and mold is always a risk".

Her insurance won't accept a claim as it's "a mechanical issue" and the dealer won't help her as while her platinum warranty does cover the HVAC system itself it doesn't cover the extensive damage done by a faulty AC drainage system that they can claim was due to the owner's failure to have prevented blockages. Even though no blockage was found! Meanwhile we learn this has been an ongoing issue with these vehicles for decades and is subject to multiple class action lawsuits.

All the above solutions in this forum are bandaids over a major defective issue with Toyota's HVAC systems and their finger pointing at owners - an elderly lady who dutifully bought the defective vehicle AND the highest level extended warranty package the salesman could push on her in this instance - is shameful.

 

[yaragroman]

my 2020 rav 4 smells terrible when I turn it on. We have spent a deal amount of money cleaning the evap condenser and switching the cabin filter. The dealership said it would be 500 bucks for them to clean it out.

 

[Cavalry]

my 2020 rav 4 smells terrible when I turn it on. We have spent a deal amount of money cleaning the evap condenser and switching the cabin filter. The dealership said it would be 500 bucks for them to clean it out.

See post 23 above.

 

[FKHeath]

my 2020 rav 4 smells terrible when I turn it on. We have spent a deal amount of money cleaning the evap condenser and switching the cabin filter. The dealership said it would be 500 bucks for them to clean it out.

Have you tried the activated carbon cabin filters, or the baking soda cabin filters?

You could also clean it yourself using the OEM Toyota A/C refresher kit: https://www.amazon.com/TOYOTA-00289...BhBdEiwAR58-3OEBTyUnKVGhuCYY4f9igiGCz1SQnsgoUbzD9-YTJFTAwzg0U0FTTxoCwtEQAvD_BwE

 

[RetiredGamer]

my 2020 rav 4 smells terrible when I turn it on. We have spent a deal amount of money cleaning the evap condenser and switching the cabin filter. The dealership said it would be 500 bucks for them to clean it out.

roll down the wondows and let the car dry out. if you run the ac in a cold climate its going to smell like mold. i rolled all the wondows down on another car and problem solved. i use AC everyday but now im in a tropical climate and its all good. whatever was wet get dried out 15 minutes after i exit the car more or less

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

. if you run the ac in a cold climate its going to smell like mold.

I believe both Toyota and the Car Care Nut advises just using the climate control automatic function in the winter and cold climates--turn the CC on and set the cabin temperature where you want it. The A/C WILL be on (LED lit) with the heater also on. The A/C will then function as a dehumidifier.

 

[Greasy]

I don't ever recirculate... I hate that it is defaulted enabled. So, like pressing the touch screen to set up my listening, i check my mirrors, adjust my seat, buckle my seatbelt, and make sure I'm taking in fresh air always.

I guess its rocket science. So, everybody should read post #23 again and again. Ozone is a good option for cleaning.

Prevention is better. Since I don't like puddles from the AC in the garage, I've always shut the A/C off a few minutes before arriving to the house. It becomes habit and 2nd nature. Never had an issue with ANY car HVAC smells that too many complained about. This means you have to push buttons. If you already do, then you're a genius. If you don't, enjoy the mold and puddles.

My cabin air filter is also replaced yearly, due to allergies. Its barely dirty even after a year. But, its important to inspect it a few times to make sure that the HVAC plumbing doesn't turn into a critter condo. I think many have problems with rodents/lizards/snakes and whatever critter, and don't want to admit it.

Ozium is pretty good at smell removable. You set fan on high, not recirculating, find where the HVAC sucks air in from the cowl, and then spray the entire can into the inlet. The 3.5oz small can is about $6 at walmart.

If the Ozium, along with common sense HVAC button usage, doesn't help, then step up to Lubegard, which cost <$20 from local autopart stores.

KOOL-IT Evaporator & Heater Foam Cleaner - Lubegard

www.lubegard.com

Don't blame Toyota for owners' lack of common sense. In the world of automatic brainless everything, the solution is usually too simple.

 

[500500]

this is a problem that happens mostly to people who keep it in garage
with less airflow.

almost never happens to vehicles kept outside...constant airflow around vehicle
helps dry it out ....recirc or no recirc

and yes, let 'the system' manage recirc, and if you do use recirc a lot,
try to go outside air only last 2 miles home, and check a/c drain often

 

[FKHeath]

this is a problem that happens mostly to people who keep it in garage
with less airflow.

And, I might add, live where the humidity is high.