Rubbery sorta foul odor

[Glyn Williams]

Originally Posted by CAH

I have a similar problem with my 2006 Lexus RX400h. I bought the car used and did not notice the odor until it was too late. It is a chemical smell that puts me in mind of outgassing of some material. Some describe it as the smell of peppers (e.g., spicy peppers in Thai food). Recently, I attempted to track down the location of the odor by sniffing around. It appears to be coming from the battery vents located under the rear seat. I also sometimes detect the odor when I get out of the car. One suspicion is that it is outgassing from the battery, perhaps due to a breach in the casing, but this is mere conjecture and I haven't anything to back it up. Does your vehicle still exhibit the odor and have you found the problem? Thanks.

I have been looking for a solution to a similar problem for months. I know your post is old but have you been able to resolve the issue. I have a 2009 Camry Hybrid with 72k and I started experiencing the "funny odor issue" about 6 months ago. I tried every type of deodorizer I can think of and it kept coming back. About 2 months ago we started noticing the same smell when we got out of the car. The smell outside does not linger. The smell inside can get very bad. In an instance a few months ago driving from Atlanta to Charlotte the odor got so bad I experienced a headache! That evening my wife and I went out so she could verify it. She did but after the car was off for 45 min. and we started driving again the smell was totally absent. It is now to the point that I can not drive the car without the smell being apparent inside and out.

[bisco]

sounds like you've got the O without the B! have you tried the dealer?

[uart]

Originally Posted by Glyn Williams

I have been looking for a solution to a similar problem for months. I know your post is old but have you been able to resolve the issue. I have a 2009 Camry Hybrid with 72k and I started experiencing the "funny odor issue" about 6 months ago. I tried every type of deodorizer I can think of and it kept coming back. About 2 months ago we started noticing the same smell when we got out of the car. The smell outside does not linger. The smell inside can get very bad. In an instance a few months ago driving from Atlanta to Charlotte the odor got so bad I experienced a headache! That evening my wife and I went out so she could verify it. She did but after the car was off for 45 min. and we started driving again the smell was totally absent. It is now to the point that I can not drive the car without the smell being apparent inside and out.

Hi Glyn. While it's not a particularly common problem, something very similar to what you describe has been mentioned by several others here in the past.

See for example this thread here : Need advise=Clothes smell of coal tar and the car has a new car smell again after 2years.

Look in particular at replies #8 and #9 where they seem to really pin down exactly where it's coming from and what is causing it (degrading rubber vent tubes in the HV battery).

Hope that helps.