T-SB-0142-13

Rev1

September 12, 2013

HVAC Odor Maintenance
Service
Category

Vehicle Interior

Section

Heating/Air Conditioning

Market

USA

Applicability
YEAR(S)

MODEL(S)

2004 – 2015

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

REVISION NOTICE
April 9, 2015 Rev1:
• Applicability has been updated to include 2015 model year Toyota vehicles.
• Parts Information has been updated.
Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded.

Introduction

Some 2004 – 2015 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

–

–

–

–

© 2015 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

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Rev1

T-SB-0142-13

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September 12, 2013

HVAC Odor Maintenance

Parts Information
MODEL

MODEL YEAR

4Runner

2010 – 2015

Avalon

2007 – 2015

Avalon HV

2013 – 2015

Camry

2007 – 2015

Camry HV

2007 – 2015

Corolla

2009 – 2015

Highlander

2008 – 2015

Highlander HV

2008 – 2015

Land Cruiser

2008 – 2015

Matrix

2009 – 2015

Prius

2010 – 2015

Prius C

2012 – 2015

Prius PHV

2010 – 2015

Prius V

2012 – 2015

RAV4

2006 – 2015

Sequoia

2008 – 2015

Sienna

2011 – 2015

Tundra

2007 – 2015

Venza

2009 – 2015

Yaris

2007 – 2015

Sienna

2004 – 2010

FJ Cruiser

2007 – 2014

Prius

2006 – 2009

PART NUMBER

PART NAME

87139-50100
High Performance Charcoal Filter

87139-33010
87139-47020

General Procedure

When diagnosing HVAC odors it is important to remember the following 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.
© 2015 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

T-SB-0142-13

Rev1

Page 3 of 3

September 12, 2013

HVAC Odor Maintenance

General Procedure (Continued)

• Odors emitted from the A/C system are a normal characteristic of automotive A/C systems.
• It is normal to experience odor upon the initial startup due to the moist/humid air that is trapped
in the HVAC system, after the vehicle has been parked.
NOTE
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.

1

2

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.
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

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 biannual basis depending on climate
conditions and customer preference.

4

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

NOTE
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.

© 2015 Toyota Motor Sales, USA