NHTSA Complaint #10269883 — 2007 LEXUS RX350

I HAVE A LEXUS 2007 MODEL RX 350. WHEN DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS UP AND WITH THE HVAC SET ON RECIRCULATION, THERE WILL BE A PRONOUNCED SMELL OF SULFUR DIOXIDE WITHIN THE CABIN. THIS SMELL CAN OCCUR WHEN WE ARE DRIVING ALONE ON A HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER CARS WITHIN 20 MILES. WHEN I COMPLAIN TO THE DEALER, ALL I GET IS A PRINTOUT WITH THE OFFICIAL LEXUS POSITION THAT THE SULFUR DIOXIDE SMELL EMANATING FROM THE TAILPIPE IS NORMAL. OF COURSE THAT IS NORMAL, IT IS COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHAT IS NOT NORMAL IS THAT IT IS PENETRATING THE CABIN WITH ALL OF THE WINDOWS UP. IF SULFUR DIOXIDE IS COMING INTO THE AFT AIR VENTILATION PORTS, SO IS CARBON MONOXIDE. THE DEALER REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM OR TO ESCALATE THE ISSUE UP TO THE MANUFACTURER, TOYOTA, FOR INVESTIGATION AND CORRECTION. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISORS, THEY ARE RECEIVING THIS COMPLAINT FROM A LARGE NUMBER OF OWNERS, BUT NO ONE IN THE DEALER'S OR THE MANUFACTURER'S ORGANIZATION HAVE GRASPED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ISSUE. *TR