perfume smell in AC 2019 Highlander
Asked by ptoad Jul 11, 2019 at 12:52 PM about the 2019 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Our 2019 Highlander has a strong perfume smell emitting from the rear
vents. The manual call the cabin air filter a "deodorizing" variety which
means perfume to cover any mildew smell. My husband and I are very
sensitive to perfume and this is one of the worst. We bought it in winter and
didn't have the AC on for months. We never would have bought the car had
we smelled it in summer.The dealership says there is no perfume and
replaced the air filter and of course the new one is just as bad. Any ideas ?
10 Answers
If the filter is the source (remove it and smell it) you can probably buy an aftermarket one without the perfume. Try Amazon.
My wife and I also purchased a new 2019 Highlander this winter. We have the exact same problem that the above writer had. As soon as the weather turned warm, we started using the air conditioner and smelled this very same perfume smell or what also smells like a laundry fabric softener towel. We took the Highlander to the dealer and they said there are no deodorizers added to the car from the factory. I don't believe this and the car smells so bad, that we cannot drive it with the air conditioner on. All of our passengers who sit in the backseat also have the same problem, because it seems the smell is coming from the rear AC vents. I change the cabin air filter and that was not the problem. Has anyone else have the same problem and found a solution?
Nice to hear someone else describe this problem. I have continued my complaint with Toyota with no response as yet. Time to escalate this as a health and safety issue as the perfume not only makes me nauseous and headachy but sleepy as well which is not what you want on a long drive. Stay with me on this? phetrick60@gmail.com
We also have a 2017 highlander that has the same perfume smell . Have you had any luck fixing the issue.
Well I just starting to have the same problem, we just bought a 2018 Toyota Highlander last December we started to use the AC last week and my wife complained about the smell, I didn’t think it was an issue but now that I started to do some research and I find out that more people have this same complaint well not good, now I’m gonna have to deal with the dealer trying to fix this problem. Has somebody got this issue fixed?
No, I wish. Now that it is winter the problem is less noticeable of course. I am going to try using a small paintbrush to paint on an enzyme based odor killer on and into the upper AC vents. I will let you know.
Guru947YPN answered 4 years ago
Our 2019 Highlander smells like mold. Took it back to dealer and was told this is normal. They charged us $97 to clean the system. Said this is normal and will need to do yearly. Not covered under warranty. Car still smells. I can’t ride in the car. I have never heard of this and not feeling confident in their answer. Anyone else told this?
No answer here - but our 2019 highlander just went in for free inspection, tire rotation and cabin filter change. As soon as we left the Toyota service garage we noticed a perfumey smell, I have lavender hand soap at home and that is the odor it reminds us of. I took the cabin filter out and that wasn't it. I called Toyota where we took it and they said they use no scented anything. I'm at a loss and would not want to have anyone ride with us.
i suggest everyone contact their state attorney general. I'm from PA and have done this online several times with consumer issues and have a response immediately and resolution. If not we could get a class action suit against Toyota and/or make a public issue of it.
