Since we got the car in May 2016 it has had a bad odor - smells like a bad catalytic converter-sulfur fills the cabin when a load is put on it.
We let it go assuming it was new and needed to be used and burn off would occur.
I have had it in the shop 4 times, we clearly stated the smell and issue.
They could never figure out what it was, I had to rent a car each time, first a new cabin filter was put on, that didn't work. Then try this new charcoal filter and I was advised that it is probably the gas I am buying so don't use the cheap gas station - try only Chevron, I was handed a Tech Bulletin from 2013 to support the suggestion to not use this cheap gas that is causing the odors. How can a bulletin from 3 years prior to my car being made make sense? They should have fixed the problem by now.
This hasn't worked, I didn't just only use Chevron, I got my gas at 76, Chevron or Arco. The issue continued.
The car is back at the dealer - AGAIN. After making complaint to higher level more attention was taken to the issue, it was determined that apparently Toyota made another design change to remove a "shield and/or tube" that diverted the exhaust away from the back hatch window that rolls down - which is one of the reasons I bought this car. So not only have ai been advised to ONLY USE CHEVRON gas but also do not drive with the back window open!
Is any of these posted anywhere on the car - "USE PREMIUM FUEL ONLY" OR "DON'T DRIVE WITH THE BACK WINDOW OPEN OR YOU WILL BREATH DEADLY SULFUR GASSES" - NO! I have been driving my 1998 for over 20 years and always with that back window cracked - I line in California and prefer the fresh air over the air conditioning.
I was advised again that there are Tech Bulletins that state these sulfur gasses are so bad it is putting kids in the hospital - exactly what I had been telling them from the start - we are choking from this odor.
Toyota needs to step up their game and take responsibility for these issues.
I love my Toyota's never had any negative things to say for over 30 years until now - such a disappointment.
What Quality Controls/Guidelines and testing do you have in place?
Since we got the car in May 2016 it has had a bad odor - smells like a bad catalytic converter-sulfur fills the cabin when a load is put on it.
We let it go assuming it was new and needed to be used and burn off would occur.
I have had it in the shop 4 times, we clearly stated the smell and issue.
They could never figure out what it was, I had to rent a car each time, first a new cabin filter was put on, that didn't work. Then try this new charcoal filter and I was advised that it is probably the gas I am buying so don't use the cheap gas station - try only Chevron, I was handed a Tech Bulletin from 2013 to support the suggestion to not use this cheap gas that is causing the odors. How can a bulletin from 3 years prior to my car being made make sense? They should have fixed the problem by now.
This hasn't worked, I didn't just only use Chevron, I got my gas at 76, Chevron or Arco. The issue continued.
The car is back at the dealer - AGAIN. After making complaint to higher level more attention was taken to the issue, it was determined that apparently Toyota made another design change to remove a "shield and/or tube" that diverted the exhaust away from the back hatch window that rolls down - which is one of the reasons I bought this car. So not only have ai been advised to ONLY USE CHEVRON gas but also do not drive with the back window open!
Is any of these posted anywhere on the car - "USE PREMIUM FUEL ONLY" OR "DON'T DRIVE WITH THE BACK WINDOW OPEN OR YOU WILL BREATH DEADLY SULFUR GASSES" - NO! I have been driving my 1998 for over 20 years and always with that back window cracked - I line in California and prefer the fresh air over the air conditioning.
I was advised again that there are Tech Bulletins that state these sulfur gasses are so bad it is putting kids in the hospital - exactly what I had been telling them from the start - we are choking from this odor.
Toyota needs to step up their game and take responsibility for these issues.
I love my Toyota's never had any negative things to say for over 30 years until now - such a disappointment.
What Quality Controls/Guidelines and testing do you have in place?
- Edie P., Hawthorne, US