NHTSA Complaint #10676597 — 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS IN JUNE 2014, I STARTED NOTICING A MOLDY SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE HOTTER OUTSIDE IT GOT, THE WORSE THE SMELL INSIDE GOT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH THEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT TOYOTA SAYS THIS IS AN "ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE" AND CAN HAPPEN IN NEW CARS AND IS THEREFORE NOT WARRANTIED. THE SERVICE MANAGER INSTALLED A CHARCOAL AIR FILTER IN THE CABIN AIR FILTER AND SAID THAT IT WOULD HELP ELIMINATE THE ODOR. IT DID NOT. IN FACT, THE CHARCOAL AIR FILTER REDUCED THE AIR FLOW INTO THE CABIN WHICH CAUSED THE AC TO NOT COOL. I HAD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACE THE CHARCOAL WITH AN ORIGINAL AIR FILTER IN SEPTEMBER AFTER COMPLAINING THAT THE AC WASN'T COOL. THE SMELL IN THE AC PERSISTS. IT'S NOT JUST A BIT WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON. NO MATTER WHAT SETTING I PUT THE AC ON, IT DOES NOT HELP (FRESH AIR OR RECIRC). WHEN IT RAINS OR WHEN IT IS REALLY HUMID OUTSIDE, THE CAR SMELLS LIKE A SWAMP (EVEN BEFORE IT IS TURNED ON). THERE IS ALSO HUMIDITY INSIDE THE CAR WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. I'VE ASKED MULTIPLE TIMES TO HAVE THE EVAPORATOR REPLACED BECAUSE I FEAR THAT IT IS NOT DRAINING AND CAUSING MOLD AND MILDEW TO FORM. BREATHING IN THE MOLD IS A SERIOUS HEALTH CONCERN AND TOYOTA WILL NOT AGREE TO ANY KIND OF FIX. I'M ALSO HAVING OTHER VARIOUS HVAC PROBLEMS SUCH AS CONTINUOUSLY FOGGING WINDOWS AND A DRAFT FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE CAR DOES NOT HOLD HEAT AND IS VERY COLD DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. *TR