My wife has a 2008 Sienna LX we bought last Labor Day. Lately, she says the interior smells when she uses the heat. She says it smells like a wet dog. It's pretty cold in Michigan so I am wondering if an animal crawled up into her engine compartment to get warm and then died. She does not notice the smell outside the Sienna and she only notices it inside after she has been running the heat. Where should I start to look? Thanks.
I had a chance to look into this yesterday. Her driver's side floor mat smelled. Tossed it into the washer and now she says everything is fine. Maybe she stepped in something and got it onto the floor mat. Regardless, it was an easy fix.
OH MY GOSH! I've had the same problem with my 2005 Sienna XLE for 2 years now! My husband and I went away one fall weekend in 2006. We took his Highlander and left the minivan (parked outside) at home. When I came home it had the most horrific smell! I thought the same thing that you thought...mold? A dead animal? Did I step in dog "stuff"? At the time I was pregnant and couldn't stand even sitting in the car for 5 minutes without getting sick!
I tried everything!!! Sprayed Febreeze, purchased new floormats, bought a new air filter, even took the car to the dealership where they sprayed something in the vents while the engine was running. Everything seemed to only help temporarily. Eventually the smell got better, or atleast tolerable. My problem seems to be at it's worst during the changing season...ie, spring and fall.
I have LOVED my Sienna but after almost 3 years (car was purchased in May of 05) I'm seriously considering selling it and going back to buying Hondas. My car as of today is 600 miles out of warranty and my radio just died on me. The reason why I am so upset is because this is the second time this has happened. A decent car shouldn't need 3 radios in 3 years!
Good luck to you...my thought is your wife has done nothing wrong...it's the car!
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Originally Posted by pinnacle
My wife has a 2008 Sienna LX we bought last Labor Day. Lately, she says the interior smells when she uses the heat. She says it smells like a wet dog. It's pretty cold in Michigan so I am wondering if an animal crawled up into her engine compartment to get warm and then died. She does not notice the smell outside the Sienna and she only notices it inside after she has been running the heat. Where should I start to look? Thanks.
The smell has not come back in the last month so I still think it was just dirty floor mats. This time of year, she tracks a lot of snow into the vehicle even if she tries to kick the snow off her shoes before getting in. The floor mats have a tough time drying out. It was probably mildew like Tundradrenalin suggested. ssbnc5, sorry about your bad luck with your Sienna.
Interior smells on 2008 Sienna
Re: Interior smells on 2008 Sienna
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