Finally found where that odor was emanating. Beneath the carpet above the firewall. I am the proud owner of a 2014 Toyota Hybrid Highlander. It lives in the garage in most cases. I keep it spotless. Since March 2015, the inside cabin had a faint odor but I couldn't pinpoint it.
After 4 years of this I decided to have a look beyond the top of the carpet and lift the front passenger side carpet assembly. It was soaking wet. And it stank. Right away, thought is was the air conditioner was leaking, nope. Did more searching and found a faint water stain back passenger headliner, just above the seat belt panel, maybe its a leak in the sunroof. Sure enough the drain was kinked. Not blocked with debris as most people suggest. it was kinked when the car was built.
this has been going on and the foot wells are all soaked, and have mold and mildew built up so thick I am worried it will never be able to clean the whole bottom floors and bare foot wells. $600.00 and new carpet assembly back and front $1500.00. The Extended warranty does not cover this type of defective parts. I beg to differ and now I ask my fellow SUV owners for suggestions on to deal with the dealership and escalate the issue where consumers have a voice for stuff we didn't notice until the warranties end.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Finally found where that odor was emanating. Beneath the carpet above the firewall. I am the proud owner of a 2014 Toyota Hybrid Highlander. It lives in the garage in most cases. I keep it spotless. Since March 2015, the inside cabin had a faint odor but I couldn't pinpoint it.
After 4 years of this I decided to have a look beyond the top of the carpet and lift the front passenger side carpet assembly. It was soaking wet. And it stank. Right away, thought is was the air conditioner was leaking, nope. Did more searching and found a faint water stain back passenger headliner, just above the seat belt panel, maybe its a leak in the sunroof. Sure enough the drain was kinked. Not blocked with debris as most people suggest. it was kinked when the car was built.
this has been going on and the foot wells are all soaked, and have mold and mildew built up so thick I am worried it will never be able to clean the whole bottom floors and bare foot wells. $600.00 and new carpet assembly back and front $1500.00. The Extended warranty does not cover this type of defective parts. I beg to differ and now I ask my fellow SUV owners for suggestions on to deal with the dealership and escalate the issue where consumers have a voice for stuff we didn't notice until the warranties end.
- Sharon S., ORLEANS, ON, Canada