T-SB-0022-20

March 10, 2020

HVAC Odor Maintenance
Service
Category

Vehicle Interior

Section

Heating/Air Conditioning

Market USA

Applicability
YEAR(S)

MODEL(S)

2018 - 2020

C-HR

2019 - 2020

Corolla Hatchback

2017 - 2020

Prius Prime

2016 - 2020

Prius

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Introduction

Some 2016 – 2020 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit naturally occurring odors emitted from
the HVAC system and/or related environmental factors. 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

PART NUMBER

PART NAME

87139-58010

High Performance Charcoal Filter

00289-ACRKT

Toyota Genuine A/C Refresher Kit

All

© 2020 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

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T-SB-0022-20

March 10, 2020

Page 2 of 5

HVAC Odor Maintenance
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.



It is normal to experience some 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
The procedure in this bulletin will NOT eliminate the odors described but is provided to help reduce
intensity of the odors.

© 2020 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

T-SB-0022-20

March 10, 2020

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HVAC Odor Maintenance
General Procedure (continued)

1. Confirm the condition exists.
Does the vehicle exhibit odors that
naturally occur from the HVAC system
and/or related environmental factors?


Figure 1.
1
2

YES — Continue to step 2.
NOTE
If the condition is constant or caused by
outside influences, such as debris, this
bulletin may NOT be effective in reducing
the odors.



3

NO — This bulletin does NOT apply.
Continue diagnosis using the
applicable Repair Manual.

4

1

Evaporator

2

Odor Source

3

Insoluble Odors Blow Into Vehicle Interior

4

Water Soluble Odors Dissolve 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 the Parts Information section for the correct part).
4. If the odor condition persists, conduct an A/C evaporator cleaning service using a
Toyota genuine A/C refresher kit (or equivalent) on an annual or bi-annual basis,
depending on the climate conditions and customer preference.
NOTE
If the A/C evaporator cleaning service is NOT performed BEFORE installation of the highperformance filter, the filter may take several days to produce noticeable A/C odor improvement.

© 2020 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

T-SB-0022-20

March 10, 2020

HVAC Odor Maintenance
A/C Evaporator Cleaning Procedure With Toyota Genuine A/C Refresher Kit

1. Remove the trim components under the HVAC unit.
A. Remove the lower center instrument cluster finish panel sub-assembly from
2016 – 2020 model year Prius and 2017 – 2020 Prius Prime vehicles.
Refer to TIS, applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020 Prius:
Vehicle Interior – Interior Panels / Trim –
“Interior Panels / Trim: Lower Instrument Panel: Removal”
 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020 Prius Prime:
Vehicle Interior – Interior Panels / Trim –
“Interior Panels / Trim: Lower Instrument Panel: Removal”
B. Remove the front number 2 console box insert from ALL applicable model and
model year vehicles.
Refer to TIS, applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020 Prius:
Vehicle Interior – Heating / Air Conditioning –
“Heating / Air Conditioning: Air Conditioning Unit: Removal”
 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020 Prius Prime:
Vehicle Interior – Heating / Air Conditioning –
“Heating / Air Conditioning: Air Conditioning Unit: Removal”
 2018 / 2019 / 2020 C-HR:
Vehicle Interior – Interior Panels / Trim –
“Interior Panels / Trim: Rear Console Box: Removal”
 2019 / 2020 Corolla Hatchback:
Vehicle Interior – Interior Panels / Trim –
“Interior Panels / Trim: Rear Console Box: Removal”

© 2020 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

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HVAC Odor Maintenance
A/C Evaporator Cleaning Procedure With Toyota Genuine A/C Refresher Kit (continued)

2. Cover the area under the HVAC unit and
its surroundings.

Figure 2. Recommend Industrial Absorbent Pads

3. Perform the HVAC odor maintenance service using a Toyota genuine A/C refresher kit.

4. AFTER performing the HVAC odor maintenance service, wait 30 minutes BEFORE removing
the absorbent material and reassembling the trim panels.

5. The procedure is complete, return the vehicle to the customer.

© 2020 Toyota Motor Sales, USA