This all seems right to me. The smell is most pronounced when I first turn on the car and I get a face full of the AC blast. Thanks!
Car smells strongly like mildew after rain/wet
- Thread starter lcruiser25
- Start date
So are people OK with having to go through these routines to have their car not smell mildew-y after it rains or if it's just humid out? On a brand new car? That sounds crazy to be honest.
Incidentally, my windows-stay-wet-for-a-day-after-it-rains thing seems to have resolved. I suspect having road grease and grime seasoning the felt on the windows (and keeping water out) after a couple of thousand miles fixed it.
Incidentally, my windows-stay-wet-for-a-day-after-it-rains thing seems to have resolved. I suspect having road grease and grime seasoning the felt on the windows (and keeping water out) after a couple of thousand miles fixed it.
I installed some vent shades off ebay and it definitely will help this issue and add to quality of life at a drive through.
After a long dry spell and our first big rain I noticed the mildew smell immediately. Pulled the door plugs with no obvious amount of water coming out (doesn’t mean no moisture is in the door). One compelling test I did was to roll down the windows, open up the seal at the top and take a sniff. Smells EXACTLY like the mildew stench in the cabin but much stronger. Dropped the LC off at Toyota today for the brake squeal TSB and the advisor agreed that it smelled. Will see if they have any suggestions.
I’m convinced this is the smell of the leather conditioning process Toyota uses. For years I’ve noticed that car manufacturers have distinct smells to their interiors. I guarantee I could tell I’m sitting in a Porsche blindfolded, for instance, because they all smell the same and have for decades.
Toyota might be the same way here, but the difference is that the Porsche smell is appealing. What I smell in the LC is sort of “barnyard.” It’s not the worst thing ever and I’m not trading the car because of it, but I do notice.
Toyota might be the same way here, but the difference is that the Porsche smell is appealing. What I smell in the LC is sort of “barnyard.” It’s not the worst thing ever and I’m not trading the car because of it, but I do notice.
I took my car in to Toyota dealer, they flushed the AC drainage. They said it was a bit clogged up and to let them know if the smell continues.
So far, I’ve noticed it no longer has that mildew smell and will wait until the next rainfall to confirm it’s been resolved.
Edit: Whelp, it rained pretty hard last night into the morning. I used my car this morning and the smell was prevalent yet again. I will have to go back to the dealership and get them to check seals and everything else.
So far, I’ve noticed it no longer has that mildew smell and will wait until the next rainfall to confirm it’s been resolved.
Edit: Whelp, it rained pretty hard last night into the morning. I used my car this morning and the smell was prevalent yet again. I will have to go back to the dealership and get them to check seals and everything else.
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Interesting observation, curious what the 1958 owners with the fabric upholstery have to say?
100% on the tinge of barnyard smell, wife doesn't like it. I was thinking of using one of the oder absorbing cabin filters to see if it helps, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
Interesting, let us know if they end up replacing anything. Recently had the brake TSB myself, night & day difference! Was so loud in reverse it was embarrassing to park.
1958 boy here - I thought for a while maybe it was something w the cloth seats but ruled that out. I put my nose to every surface when I was trying to diagnose this ha.
Picked it up this evening, the "master tech" didn't have any advice beyond rolling down the window and putting some Dawn dish soap on the seals ಠ_ಠ.
I have leather seats installed in my 1958 and smell was def there.
- Mar 16, 2025
- 45
- 57
- Vehicles
- 2023 Mini Cooper SE, 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera S, 2011 Toyota RAV4, 2004 Honda Accord EX-L
I had an issue like this years ago on my Accord. Happened only after driving or sitting in the rain. It was getting so bad it started making me sick; a clear sign of mold and not mildew. I finally searched out a service that came to my house and inspected the car.
They found a small leak at the top of rear window most likely caused by a faulty repair from years earlier when the car was rear ended. They found significant mold in that area down into the trunk. They cleaned by hand and then sealed the car and ran an ozone machine for 24 hours to kill anything remaining. After the ozone treatment, they did a final clean. I then had the window replaced. Since then, zero issues.
It does seem strange this is happening on new vehicles. Definitely need to find the source and fix it. And if it is mold, get someone to treat it with ozone or it won’t truly go away.
They found a small leak at the top of rear window most likely caused by a faulty repair from years earlier when the car was rear ended. They found significant mold in that area down into the trunk. They cleaned by hand and then sealed the car and ran an ozone machine for 24 hours to kill anything remaining. After the ozone treatment, they did a final clean. I then had the window replaced. Since then, zero issues.
It does seem strange this is happening on new vehicles. Definitely need to find the source and fix it. And if it is mold, get someone to treat it with ozone or it won’t truly go away.
I get this odor too.
^^^ This idea and some others like checking drains for fouling are a good place to start...
I'm super sensitive to mold and mildew, and I have been getting dizzy after washing my car a couple times. There is no distinctive mildew or mold smell though, but I am having this same moisture rolling windows up and down up to a couple of days after being wet
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Guest8178
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I’ve checked my other Toyota, and a few around my neighborhood, all sorts of different models. All use the robber/felt seal at the door/window. What would make the LCs smell any worse than others? I can’t imagine all Toyotas smell after rain.
My gut says it’s AC related. I borrowed my moms Santa Fe this summer during the hot, wet, humid months and that thing stunk when the AC was cycling or had been sitting for a day.
I thought it was related to AC, too. But like others have mentioned, my LC smells after it rains when it’s parked. After a few days of dry weather, it goes away, and I don't change my AC habits. Luckily, in Austin, it doesn't rain often.
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