NHTSA Complaint #10678985 — 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS

MUSTY SMELL IN VEHICLE, SICK W/ RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING DISTRESS AFTER USING AIR CONDITIONING OR HEATING SYSTEM OR DEFROSTERS. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO DEALER FOR 5000 MILE SERVICE AND MANAGER TOLD ME THE "THERE IS MOLD INSIDE THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING AND ALL VENTED AIR SYSTEM. THIS IS THE WAY THE NEW DESIGN IS, THE AIR SYSTEM IS CLOSED OFF AND THE MOISTURE LAYS IN THERE GROWING MOLD." HE SAID "YOU HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS, IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE, OR HAVE IT CLEANED EVERY WEEK TO KEEP THE SMELL OUT." HE SAID " THAT IS A CHARGE NOT COVERED BY YOUR LEASE, I'LL TAKE THE DASH OFF AND PUT A NEW FILTER AND FLUSH THE AIR HANDLING SYSTEM OUT FOR YOU, THIS TIME. IT USUALLY COST OVER $250.DOLLARS. YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF BY SPRAYING A WHOLE CAN OF LYSOL BEHIND THE CABIN FILTER EVERY WEEK". MOLD IS KNOWN TO BE DEADLY AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ALLOWED DESIGN. I HAVE SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR THIS PROBLEM AND NOW REFERRED TO A PULMONOLOGIST FOR SPECIAL TEST. I DEFINITELY WOULD NOT HAVE OBTAINED THIS CAR IF THE DEALER HAD DISCLOSED THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. BAD. *TR