2013 Toyota RAV4: Musty sour smell from the ventilation system
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2013 RAV4 report: musty sour smell from the ventilation system. CarComplaints.com lists 10 owner complaints, average mileage 6,150 miles.
NHTSA has 2 owner complaints for the 2013 RAV4 in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #10732048 (filed 07/05/2015): “Car engine would not turn on. indicator light for steering was on.. once i pulled the steering hard then car started fine. searching online i see there are reports of auto steering issues with other model. battery was functioning fine as everything else wou…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #10554928 (filed 12/05/2013): “I purchased the 2013 rav4 in april, 2013. within a few months, i began to smell an odor coming from the ac when i start the car. the dealership states that the box that holds the ac condensation is too small due to manufacturing changes. on my second trip t…”
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: 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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