®TOYOTA
Technical Service Bulletin

September 12, 2013

T-SB-0142-13

HVAC Odor Maintenance
Service
Category

Vehicle Interior

Section

Heating/Air Conditioning

Market

Toyota Supports ~
ASE Certification ~

USA

Applicability
YEAR(S)

MODEL(S)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

2004 - 2014

4Runner, Avalon,
Avalon HV, Camry,
Camry HV, Corolla , FJ
Cruiser, Highlander,
High lander H V, Land
Cruiser, Matrix, Prius,
Prius C, Prius PHV,
Prius V, RAV4 ,
Sequoia, Sienna,
Tundra, Venza, Yaris

Introduction
Some 2004 - 2014 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit odors naturally occurring from the HVAC
system and/or related environmental factors . Although there is no way to eliminate these odors ,
follow the General Procedure in this bulletin to minimize the odors experienced.
Warranty Information
OP CODE

DESCRIPTION

TIME

OFP

T1

T2

N/A

Not Applicable to Warranty

-

-

-

-

Parts Information
MODEL

MODEL YEAR

4Runner

2010-2014

Ava lon

2007-2014

Avalon HV

2013-2014

Camry

2007-2014

Camry HV

2007-2014

Corolla

2009-20 13

PART NAME

PART NUMBER

87139-50100

© 2013 Toyt)ta Motor Sales , USA

Hi~h

Performance Charcoal Filter

Page 1 of 3

@TOYOTA

T-SB-0142-13

Page 2 of 3

September 12, 2013

HVAC Odor Maintenance

Parts lnfonnation (Continued)
MODEL

MODEL YEAR

Highlander

2008-2014

Highlander HV

2008-2014

Land Cruiser

2008-2014

Matrix

2009-2014

Prius

2010-2014

Prius C

2012-2014

Prius PHV

2010-2014

Prius V

2012-2014

RAV4

2006-2014

Sequoia

2008-2014

Sienna

2011-2014

Tundra

2007-2013

Venza

2009-2014

Yaris

2007-2014

Sienna

2004-2010

FJ Cruiser

2007-2014

Prius

2004-2009

PART NUMBER

PART NAME

87139-50100
High Performance Charcoal Filter

87139-33010

General Procedure

When diagnosing HVAC odors it is important to rememberthe follo,.ving possible causes:
• During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into and accumulate in
the air conditioning system. These odors may then be emitted from the vents .
• Odors coming from the outside air and interior can accumulate on the evaporator. As the
evaporator core changes temperature , some of these odors may be released resulting in an
unpleasant smell from the HVAC vents.
•

Interior odors from sources such as air fresheners , animals, dirt, or trash can also accumulate
within the HVAC system and contribute to unpleasant odors.
'

• Odors emitted from the NC system are a normal characteristic of automotive NC systems.

•

It is normal to experience odor upon the initial startup due to the moist/humid airthat is trapped
in the HVAC system , after the vehicle has been parked.

© 2013 Toyuta Motor Sales , USA

@TOYOTA

T-SB--0142-13

Page 3 of 3

September 12, 2013

HVAC Odor Maintenance

General Procedure (Continued)
NOlE
This procedure will NOT eliminate the odors experienced, but it's provided to help reduce the
intensity of these odors.

1. Confirm the condition as described in the
introduction.

Figure 1.

If the condition is constant or is caused by outside
influences (such as debris) this bulletin may not
be effective in reducing the odors experienced .

©
1

Evaporator

2

Odor Source

3

Insoluble Odors Are Blown Into the Vehicle 's
Interior

4

Water Soluble Odors Are Dissolved in Moisture
on Evaporator and Drain Out Evaporator Drain

2. Advise the customer to set the HVAC system to the outside (fresh) air mode when parking the
vehicle to assist in the reduction of odors that could be trapped in the HVAC system.
3. Replace the HVAC filter on an annual basis or every 10,000 miles with a charcoal impregnated
filter (refer to Parts Information for correct part).
4. If the condition still persists, conduct an A/C evaporator cleaning service on an annual or
bi-annual basis depending on climate conditions and customer preference.
NOlE
If the A/C evaporator cleaning service is not performed prior to the installation of the High
Performance Charcoal Filter, the filter may take several days to produce a noticeable
improvement in the A/C odor.

© 2013 Toyota Motor Sales , USA