Musty smell from AC

[omeyga]

Originally Posted by Bonzo

By the way, while we are talking about mold smells in this car, doesn't anyone think the new car smell of this car smells like mold anyway? It has a definite funk. This car in no way shape or form smells like any other new car smell on the planet. I know it's KIA thing, because we sat in several KIAs at the dealership, both inside and outside, and they all had the peculiar smell. We thought it was like their version of new unbroken in engine smell or something, but it has never gone away. Perhaps this is the smell people are complaining about here? If so, good luck, it's the entire car. It's our biggest complaint about the car, and we told KIA about it.

I know what you mean. That was my first thought, that it didn't have a "new car smell", it had a "new funk smell". I believe it's due to subpar plastics and materials. I've also noticed that when in the direct sun and the rear of the car is facing the sun that I get this baked plastic smell (outside the car). I figured it would go away but I've had the car for a year now and it still does it in the summer heat. First car i've ever had that smelled like it was going to melt.

[Soul Sailor]

I had my cabin filter replaced. I asked to see it and it was filthy after 24,000km and 9 months I was surprized how dirty it was. Call around and get a price I got lower price at another dealer.

[Bonzo]

Originally Posted by omeyga

I know what you mean. That was my first thought, that it didn't have a "new car smell", it had a "new funk smell". I believe it's due to subpar plastics and materials. I've also noticed that when in the direct sun and the rear of the car is facing the sun that I get this baked plastic smell (outside the car). I figured it would go away but I've had the car for a year now and it still does it in the summer heat. First car i've ever had that smelled like it was going to melt.

Yeah, the "funk" is inside and out. When I open the door from the house to the garage in the morning I'm like, "Wow, does that car smel funky."

[sightland]

Originally Posted by omeyga

I know what you mean. That was my first thought, that it didn't have a "new car smell", it had a "new funk smell". I believe it's due to subpar plastics and materials. I've also noticed that when in the direct sun and the rear of the car is facing the sun that I get this baked plastic smell (outside the car). I figured it would go away but I've had the car for a year now and it still does it in the summer heat. First car i've ever had that smelled like it was going to melt.

all new cars have its unique smell.

if "I believe it's due to subpar plastics and materials" holds truth, owner of brand new $95k 10LS460 should not complain about "toxic" smell that can cause "dizziness" and "vomiting". its not so much the quality level of plastic that makes smell good/bad/worse but its combination of all materior used. Much of the toxic comes from glue/chaulk/bond manufactures used through out the vehicle and this holds true for $200k Ferrari [I drove my friend's]. For me, to accelerate the "bleeding" of smell, every new vehicle I have purchased in the past few years, I have left it outside in the sun for about a week to get rid of much of the aweful smell and usually drive with windows down for period of time with HVAC on. If your new purchase set around the dealer for period of time, it should not be as bad but three vehicles I had purchased in recent years were purchased as it came off the truck and all three [different brands] had unique but toxic smell and Soul had least problem with smell.

[Bonzo]

Originally Posted by sightland

all new cars have its unique smell.

if "I believe it's due to subpar plastics and materials" holds truth, owner of brand new $95k 10LS460 should not complain about "toxic" smell that can cause "dizziness" and "vomiting". its not so much the quality level of plastic that makes smell good/bad/worse but its combination of all materior used. Much of the toxic comes from glue/chaulk/bond manufactures used through out the vehicle and this holds true for $200k Ferrari [I drove my friend's]. For me, to accelerate the "bleeding" of smell, every new vehicle I have purchased in the past few years, I have left it outside in the sun for about a week to get rid of much of the aweful smell and usually drive with windows down for period of time with HVAC on. If your new purchase set around the dealer for period of time, it should not be as bad but three vehicles I had purchased in recent years were purchased as it came off the truck and all three [different brands] had unique but toxic smell and Soul had least problem with smell.

Yes, all new cars have their own unique smell. I've been in 100's and 100's of new cars in my life, and none have smelled like our Soul. It smells kind of like burning moldy B.O., both inside AND out. So it has to be something that is either both inside & out, or just outside that permeates inside through the vents etc. There is no way it can just be inside and smell that strong outside.

[omeyga]

Originally Posted by Keithvibe

turn off your ac about 5mins before you get to your destination

Try that during an Alabama summer and you stand a chance of keeling over from a heat stroke before the 5 mins is up.

[Kah-Kah-Kah-Kia]

Originally Posted by gmichael07

my boyfriends mercedes has this same problem. its your cabin filter.

I have a W211 and have been told that the smell is coming from the condenser. I'll live with rather than pay to have it replaced, it only lasts for a bit afterall

Funny though, my soul has this smell and I came o'er here to find an answer..... smells like warranty work to me no?