Hi gurus, I have a Lexus GS 350 which has a mould like smell within the cabin coming from the AC vents, I searched online and saw the issue affects other cars Toyota cars as well. Is there anyone who has experienced this and how can this be resolved? Thanks.


http://m.carcomplaints.com/news/2018/toyota-air-conditioner-smell-lawsuit.shtml

JULY 31, 2018 — A Toyota air conditioner smell lawsuit alleges numerous Toyota and Lexus models build up mold on the evaporators and send musty moldy odors into the vehicles.

The proposed class-action lawsuit includes all customers in the U.S. who purchased or leased any of the following Toyota or Lexus vehicles.

2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner
2007-2015 Toyota Avalon
2013-2015 Toyota Avalon HV
2009-2015 Toyota Corolla
2008-2015 Toyota Highlander
2008-2015 Toyota Highlander HV
2008-2015 Toyota Land Cruiser
2009-2015 Toyota Matrix
2006-2015 Toyota Prius
2012-2015 Toyota Prius C
2010-2015 Toyota Prius PHV
2012-2015 Toyota Prius V
2006-2015 Toyota RAV4
2008-2015 Toyota Sequoia
2004-2015 Toyota Sienna
2007-2015 Toyota Tundra
2009-2015 Toyota Venza
2007-2015 Toyota Yaris
2007-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser
2013-2014 Lexus GS 350/450h
2014 Lexus IS 250/350
2011-2014 Lexus CT 200h
2007-2014 Lexus ES 350
2013-2014 Lexus ES 300h
2006-2011 Lexus GS 300/350/430/450h/460
2010-2014 Lexus GX 460
2010-2012 Lexus HS 250h
2006-2013 Lexus IS 250/350
2010-2014 Lexus IS 250C/350C
2008-2014 Lexus IS F
2012 Lexus LFA
2007-2014 Lexus LS 460
2008-2014 Lexus LS 600h
2008-2014 Lexus LX 570
2010-2014 Lexus RX 350/450h
2006-2009 Lexus GX 470
2007-2009 Lexus RX 350
2006-2008 Lexus RX 450h
The plaintiffs claim the vehicles have defective heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that cause smells and health problems from mold that collects on the evaporators. Numerous complaints have allegedly been filed with the government, Toyota and Lexus dealerships nationwide since at least 1999.

The air conditioner smell lawsuit also alleges Toyota has issued multiple technical service bulletins (TSBs) to dealers since 1997, admitting the odors exist but telling dealers there are allegedly no methods to get rid of the smells.

According to the lawsuit, Toyota created a manual called "Toyota Air Conditioning and Climate Control Course 752" about the air conditioning systems, and the manual admits the smells “are a common complaint among users” and “there is no permanent mechanical repair” for the odors.

Toyota blames the smells on “[m]icrobes [i.e., mold] growing on the evaporator surface” including “small living bacteria . . . carried into the evaporator case [that] grow in the warm, moist environment."

In addition to the moldy musty odors and possible health consequences, the plaintiffs claim the airbag modules are damaged when water leaks onto the modules from the HVAC systems. Damage to the modules can cause illuminated airbag warning lights, airbag failures or inadvertent airbag deployments.

Toyota dealers have been issued TSBs about the moldy smells, something the plaintiffs claim shows the automaker has known about the smells for a long time.

In May 1997, Toyota sent dealerships TSB AC002-97 that told technicians about customers complaining of musty odors coming from the air conditioners. The bulletin said the smells could arise from blocked evaporator housing drain pipes that cause condensation on the systems.

In August 2009, Toyota issued bulletin T-SB-0261-09 concerning smells in certain Camry, Camry HV and Prius cars. The TSB said the automaker had created a new evaporator sub-assembly to "decrease the potential for HVAC odor.”

The TSB was updated in November 2011, then another bulletin was issued to Toyota and Lexus dealers in September 2013 titled “HVAC Odor Maintenance,” but the bulletin admitted there was no way to eliminate the smells.

Toyota has repaired some of the affected vehicles due to customer complaints, but the lawsuit alleges the repairs consist of replacing air filters or using other repair methods that fail to fix the mold and smell problems.

As for what is causing the alleged problem, the lawsuit says the air conditioner systems don't properly remove water from the evaporators and from the enclosures that contain the evaporators. Mold and other contaminants grow on the evaporators and are sent into the passenger cabins by the blowers.

The Toyota air conditioner smell lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California - Stockinger, et al., v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

The plaintiffs are represented by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, and Kiesel Law.