A bad smell is now related to Carbon Monoxide (CO). The CO has been indicated by a monitor in the cabin of car.

This was originally noticed at my first drive away from the dealer and has been described as a bad smell, like combustion gas. I originally considered it to simply be the "new" burning off of the engine. Had I known then what I now know, I would have returned the car.

The smell occurs when the engine is loaded as when driving up a hill or during acceleration. I have returned the car for dealer service many times. Toyota does not recognize the problem in their technical manuals, therefore there is no fix. Stated otherwise, because the manual doesn't say it, the problem doesn't exist.

I have recently purchased a carbon monoxide monitor. My first reading was 82 ppm, then 32 ppm. One reference that I found states that 35 ppm is the toxic threshold.

This problem is two fold. First, where does the smell come from, and what is it? Second, how does it get into the cabin?

The first warranty question I had on the car concerned the AC system. I have believed that excess outside air is coming into the cabin. This question has been replaced by the smell, now the CO issue.

I have returned the car many times with this complaint. A year and a half later, and I still do not have resolution or remedy.

I originally had a rattle in the area of the retractable sun shade / back shelf. After several returns, it has just recently been fixed. It only took more than a year of persistence.

- Michael M., Tulsa, OK, USA

At 5000 mile service I told service person that I was smelling a moldy musty odor coming from the vents. Said that he couldn't explain it but would have it inspected. Smell was still present after service. A week later and getting very annoyed, I called Toyota corporate and opened a case. The person I talked to at corporate couldn't say if this was common or not, but would have the dealer call me with a possible solution. Next day received a call from my service person stating he was ordering a charcoal filter for the ventilation system and since this was considered maintenance, I would have to pay $50 for the filter. I said OK and made the appointment. Prior to getting new filter, I did some research and came up with TSB #AC002-97. My problem has existed in Toyota vehicles since at least 1997. I called the dealer and informed them of the bulletin and said this was not an issue of maintenance, it was at least a design flaw and I am not paying for the filter. Dealer agreed. In the bulletin, it explains the evaporator housing should be removed, disinfected and reinstalled. The dealer said they will not dismantle a new car and that it was not the dealers problem, it was Toyota's problem. I called Toyota corporate and opened a new case. I was told there is a new bulletin outlining the process of cleansing the ventilation system and there was a footnote that it may only lessen the odor. I am waiting for a call from the dealer to set up an appointment. I guess this won't be my last car.