2012 Toyota Camry: Foul smell when you turn on A/C
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2012 Camry report: foul smell when you turn on a/c. CarComplaints.com lists 23 owner complaints, average mileage 17,100 miles.
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints for the 2012 Camry in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11457208 (filed 03/18/2022): “Since i purchased the vehicle i have been smelling a weird smell as if the ac unit is leaking. it has been brought in to toyota multiple times and they could not find the issue, but i still smell it.…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11450881 (filed 02/07/2022): “The drain hose for the ac condenser may be clogged. water has leaked from the seam of the airbag compartment on the driver's side near between the window and windshield. my safety and the safety of others are at risk because the water accumulation may cause a…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace all the duct work (3 reports) AC /. Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Opening the A/C system requires refrigerant recovery equipment, and US EPA Section 609 certification is required to service vehicle A/C for compensation. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range: get a written quote after diagnosis.
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