Car smells strongly like mildew after rain/wet

[lcruiser25]

New Land Cruiser 2025 and my car smells like mildew or some sort of wet smell the next couple of days anytime I’m out driving in the rain. Totally loses new car smell until it dries out. Smell is strongest if I roll down the windows, seems to be coming from the window seals where it rolls down.

NO WATER damage or sitting water in the car nor in the door, service checked for that. Anyone else having this problem?

 

[PDPete]

New Land Cruiser 2025 and my car smells like mildew or some sort of wet smell the next couple of days anytime I’m out driving in the rain. Totally loses new car smell until it dries out. Smell is strongest if I roll down the windows, seems to be coming from the window seals where it rolls down.

NO WATER damage or sitting water in the car nor in the door, service checked for that. Anyone else having this problem?

I don't...but I have noticed that if I roll my driver's window down after it's rained or I've washed it or whatever, even if it's been quite some time since the vehicle exterior was wet, when I roll the window back up, there's a lot of moisture on it...which to me indicates that the seal isn't great and some water must be getting into the door.

 

[lcruiser25]

I don't...but I have noticed that if I roll my driver's window down after it's rained or I've washed it or whatever, even if it's been quite some time since the vehicle exterior was wet, when I roll the window back up, there's a lot of moisture on it...which to me indicates that the seal isn't great and some water must be getting into the door.

I am having this same moisture rolling windows up and down up to a couple of days after being wet… wondered same thing about the seal not being tight enough.

 

[pv488]

This exact same thing happens on mine after it rains overnight. I have to roll all the windows down and let AC run for 5-10 minutes and then it all goes back to normal. At first, I thought it was a faulty filter but its a brand new car so that was quickly ruled out.

 

[JordanJ]

I have noticed this as well, hard to say if it’s only after a rain or not because it seems to be everyday now, but it’s rained at least every other day for a couple weeks now. I don’t roll down the windows, but when I first start it and the a/c starts going, it’s a very distinctive “wet” smell.

 

[RideWithYanu]

Living in the rainy PNW, I haven’t experienced that. Sounds like I’m missing out - it might have drowned out the wet dog smell that my pal Rocky has gifted me.

 

[Blue Sky]

My wife and I noticed this as well on our 2k road trip last week. It rained pretty heavily during an overnight stay in NE and during the drive back to CO the mildew smell became very pronounced as the temperature rose to 102F. The mildew smell did fade away after a few hours of driving but I can't help but think it may be tied to the a/c in some way. I have the 5k maintenance coming up, I will take it through a high pressure car wash the day before and see if I get the smell to replicate when I bring the LC in for inspection.

 

[lcruiser25]

My wife and I noticed this as well on our 2k road trip last week. It rained pretty heavily during an overnight stay in NE and during the drive back to CO the mildew smell became very pronounced as the temperature rose to 102F. The mildew smell did fade away after a few hours of driving but I can't help but think it may be tied to the a/c in some way. I have the 5k maintenance coming up, I will take it through a high pressure car wash the day before and see if I get the smell to replicate when I bring the LC in for inspection.

For me it is not tied to the AC. They cleaned my AC system and saw no improvement. In my car it’s directly in the window seals. Toyota says it is a “normal characteristic” of the car being around in normal weather and that the smell is subjective, therefore not a defect. Pretty frustrating to me but I seem to be stuck with it with no solution.

 

[Blue Sky]

Last week was the first time I have experienced the mildew smell. I live in a pretty dry climate so things tend to dry out very quickly. I'll be sure to pay closer attention to the window seals if the smell occurs again.

Have you thought about removing one of the door cards and inspecting for mold/mildew?

 

[lcruiser25]

Last week was the first time I have experienced the mildew smell. I live in a pretty dry climate so things tend to dry out very quickly. I'll be sure to pay closer attention to the window seals if the smell occurs again.

Have you thought about removing one of the door cards and inspecting for mold/mildew?

Yes, that was the first thing Toyota dealership did after I brought it in. No sign of water nor mold/mildew inside the door. Really seems to be the window piece.

 

[Blue Sky]

Yes, that was the first thing Toyota dealership did after I brought it in. No sign of water nor mold/mildew inside the door. Really seems to be the window piece.

Dang. That is weird.

I haven't used a thermal camera extensively but I wonder if it might help you pinpoint where the water intrusion may be?

I'll report back if I encounter this again and have any luck troubleshooting.

Hope you get this resolved soon.

 

[Justaron123]

I would check the drains on your sun roof if your LC has one.

 

[Blue Sky]

I just walked out to my LC and stuck my nose in the front driver window seal with the window rolled down and there is a 100% faint mildew smell. My LC is garage stored and hasn’t seen rain in over a week. I can only imagine how much stronger the smell may be if you have consistent precipitation or high humidity. I have no idea if this is or will be an issue but do think lcruiser25 has a valid concern.