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California Camry owners just settled a lawsuit against Toyota. They say their cars stink whenever they fire up their A/C and it’s because of a faulty design. What’s more, Toyota has agreed to pay for charcoal filters installed on countless cars.

The plaintiffs in the Salas v. Toyota case aren’t the only vehicle owners to notice stinky air conditioning. One Ram driver even referenced the scent of rotten lettuce. And there are even some fixes you can try. But Camry owners at their wits end discovered what they believe is a Toyota design flaw.

Toyota also faced a Florida lawsuit over a smell in the 2012-2015 Toyota Camry air conditioning system. It won that one. But when things weren’t looking so rosy in California, Toyota settled. It agreed to pay the attorneys $4.1 million in fees and $350,000 in expenses. It will also pay each plaintiff $7,500. Finally, it will repay up to $100 in expenses for Camry owners to install a charcoal filter, which should put an end to that smell.

So why in the world do A/C systems stink? Usually because they are growing mold. Water evaporates on the cooling fins in the systems “evaporator.” Normally, it should drain out the bottom of the car. You can often see it dripping on a hot day. But if that vent becomes clogged, or is poorly designed, the water can collect. Over time, it gets moldy and as air passes through the evaporator it picks up the unpleasant odor.

So what can you do to kill mold in your car’s A/C system? First and foremost, make certain the rubber vent tube beneath your car is working properly and water drips from your car while you’ve been running the A/C on a hot day. Look for liquid beneath the front passenger’s feet.

A second easy fix is to buy a can of HVAC disinfectant. You simply turn the system on full blast and spray the cleaner at the intakes.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.