obadea

I had the exact same problem. Then Lexus performed a TBS because water was leaking in the passenger side and the smell went away. About 1000 miles later, it came back. Let me know if you find a permanent solution to this problem.

chiefguy

I have the same problem....been having this issue all summer long....brought it back to the dealership twice already.....they replaced the "filter", but I'm still having the issue...quite annoying for a car in this price point.

hypnotika

Just got my car back from 10K and changed out the cabin filter. Still have the stink as well...not cool

stevieb54

So what has anyone done? I just had my 14 IS in and they tell me just to turn it on fresh air every time I shut the engine off. What BS if you ask me. Do these cars default to recirc mode, maybe they should change that. I cant believe this is what you have to settle for in an over $40k car.

SW17LS

The dealer should do an HVAC cleaning for you under warranty. If they wont, just buy a can of HVAC deodorizer at PepBoys and follow the instructions...works great.

ItzFilyO

Mine started doing this a few weeks ago but it goes away after a min.

loewenberg

i have a 2014 gs f with 3300 miles and the moldy smell is awful for 10 seconds. i understand about the recirc and condensation buildup but the 'auto' setting in a $60K car should deal with that, one would think. i will ask the dealer to spray their magic into the ventilation system when i have the 5k service. i think it's pretty lousy that it happens at all!

GS250

you dont have to switch to recirculate. turn off the aircon and hang on for 10 secs before turing of the engine. i am not sure why it works but mine never come back after i start doing this.

jvinhj240

It's happen to be the coils just like home A/C , the water that left over create mold, mildew. To get into it some car require removing the dash, but some succeed with just spray while the motor in running. Here is links hope it helps.

SW17LS

The Auto setting does deal with it, it deals with it by maximizing fuel economy. Its an unfortunate compromise.

They'll do a cleaning at 5k and it will be fine.

islandbeef

I got it and the wifey (with a sensitive nose) hates it.

The "F" in "F-Sport" stands for "FUNKY".

I sprayed Lysol into the vents while running (non-recirculation), helped a little but the FUNK came back.

ItzFilyO

The A/C in my 2011 Camry never had this smell problem and I've had it for 3 years. It didn't have the Auto settings and I just had it blowing to the front windshield and the feet area all the times. Unless the weather gets really hot that I need it to blow straight to the cabin, I always left it blowing to the windshield and recirculation off. Maybe this is why it didn't have any condensation.

I'm going to try doing the same thing to this car now and see if it goes away.

williakz

Not gonna work. To gain CAFE credits, Toyota/Lexus changed the AC system from normally fresh air intake to normally recirculated air intake (at all outside temps of 75F or greater). So blame it on the folks in DC; they're really the ones pushing your buttons.

ItzFilyO

But when u switch to windshield and feet the recirculation always turns off, allowing outside air to come in.

williakz

Auto turns off, not recirc mode I believe. I could be wrong, so please check it out yourself.

Ask your dealer to show you Tech Tip L-TT-0158-14.