I bought a used 2006 Lexus RX400h used and did not notice a strange odor in the cabin until it was too late. To me, it is a "chemical" odor that I would associate with outgassing of some material. To some, it smells like spicey peppers (e.g., in Thai food). The odor builds up when the car is turned off and closed up. It appears to disipate within a minute or less after driving, probably due to dilution by air from the cabin ventilation system. Recently, I tried to locate the source of the smell by sniffing around. That day, it appeared to be coming from the vents to the battery compartment (vents are located under the rear seat). I also sometimes detect the odor when I step out of the vehicle. One guess is that the odor is due to outgassing from the battery, perhaps due to a breach in the casing; however, I don't have anything to back this up except the apparent location of the source, which is itself suspect. Has anyone had this problem or heard of others having it?

 

I have noticed a similar odor--almost acid/acrid like for about one year in my 2007 Rx400h. Now at 48,000k I am at dealer service and have asked them to investigate this. They seemed surprised. We shall see. I think it is battery compartment related as well as it seems to be emanating from the lower rear area of the passenger compartment. Masking sprays abate the odor for awhile, but it returns. I drive the vehicle occasionally, it is my wife's car. but when I do, I try to keep the windows cracked open to get "fresh" air.

 

I tried pursuing this since the month after I got my 2006. For my 30,000 mile service (at a different dealership than I had visited at the beginning of my car ownership) I was told by three service managers that the odor is mold in the A/C system. They can change the filter and deodorize the A/C unit but it is a recurring problem. As such, I believe it should fall into the Lemon Law category. Each person purchasing a Lexus should have gotten with their owner's manual a Lemon Law guide. In it it lists the rules by state and it includes a form to complete and send to the national dispute resolution center. I suggest that EVERY Lexus owner having 'the mystery odor' issue pull out the booklet, find the form, fill it out, and send it in. I am two weeks outside the timeframe, and I'm furious with myself for not having done something the first year I owned the car. At some point I just gave up and figured I could keep running the heat and trying to clear it up. The fact is, no one I know has this problem, and a recurring problem like this is exactly the reason why the lemon laws were created. Lexus needs to issue a Service Notice and either replace and repair the A/C units in all cars or replace the cars. I paid for my 400h cash - and my mother-in-law can't ride in it because mold in her house killed her (yes, flat lined in intensive care several times, because of mold). It's called Myasthenia Gravis, your thymus gland goes haywire trying to fight the mold and your immune system collapses, that's after spending months chasing down what seems to be a lung issue. My mother-in-law's quality of life was destroyed because of mold inhaulation. People think my car has "new car smell" still -- it's mold, and Lexus needs to correct this.

 

Go to airsept.com and read about their EED.

Or put a UV light source within the A/C plenum near the surface of the cooling evaporator as Lexus has now done with later models of the LS series.

 

West, is this something the Lexus Dealership would do? Or is this something I would have to do on my own?

When I open the hood I can't even see my engine, it has all sorts of covers I don't know how to get past.