Purchased a 2007 Rav4 last August. From day one the air conditioner emits a nasty smell at times. Dealer recommeded changing the cabin filter which I did but smell still exist. Anyone with similiar problem?

I also have the "smell" (some sort of chemical smell) in my 2007 V-6. I have taken it to the dealer twice and they have yet to determine what it is. Of course it never seems to happen when I take it to the dealer. It is intermittent in nature. I have decided to endure it for now. Otherwse, sure do like the performance and MPG this little SUV gets.

My '08 Limited has it as well.

Smells like H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) which is the stinky ingredient in battery electrolyte (battery acid).

Dealer smells it and has no idea what's causing it.

I hope it's not a malfunctioning charging system overcharging the battery and boiling off the electrolyte and the fume being sucked into the A/C air intake.

Does anyone know if anyone from Toyota ever reads these posts?

This has been a very frustrating problem for me as well. Dealer tells me that mildew forms in the ducks when I use the air contioner. This smell is like a old wet gym towel and it is very bothersome since this is the only new car I've bought. Their solution was to spray a refridgerant into the ducks. This smelled almost worse for a few days then the mildew smell returns. It's only in the summer and I feel like it should be fixed under warrenty. I've even started telling people who ask me about the car. I love the Rav4 and would recommend it to anyone except I can't get over this smell. Today the dealer says there's a new foam on the market that will destroy the mildew. We'll see. Beginning to wish I had gotten the CRV!

I looked at the CRV but I tow a small cargo trailer and wanted a V6, something Honda does not offer.

it helps if you turn off your A/C and let the fan run for a few minutes after you've used it. That helps evaporate some of the water on the coils.
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Whatever the smell was it went away when they changed the cabin air filter during my last oil change, about a $60 touch.