You said that it’s bad when the A/C is on, right? Look for air intake at the back right (?) of the engine compartment…this might be combined with an air filter on the RAV-4. If so, remove the air filter. Turn on the A/C and spray a bunch of Lysol spray into the opening. Don’t be cheap with the Lysol. This usually does the trick.

it could have a leak if it is leaking water into the floor - there's a gasket that can get broken.

Anonymous wrote:Ugh - car’s AC reeks after it rains. Anyone else have this issue? What’s the fix?

Is your car parked outside? On an incline? Maybe drain issues.

After you run AC and before you turn off car, do you leave the air on “fresh” or “recirculate”?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does it have a sunroof?

Sunroof leaked into my Highlander more than once, had to have drainage pathway cleaned regularly.

At what age? Were you actually using the sunroof?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does it have a sunroof?

Sunroof leaked into my Highlander more than once, had to have drainage pathway cleaned regularly.

I had this same issue with my Jetta Sportwagen. At the time I owned it we didn't have a garage. When I noticed the smell I found the spare tire compartment full to the top with water. I never had any problems with the engine of the car, but the leaking sunroof made me determined never to buy a car with a sunroof again. Between the leaks and heating up the care and the annoying glare, I can't stand sunroofs. Ugh.

Anonymous wrote:Does it have a sunroof?

Sunroof leaked into my Highlander more than once, had to have drainage pathway cleaned regularly.

It is unlikely that your relatively new car has a leak. I am guessing it collected leaves and other debris under the hood and they are now rotting when wet. Open the hood and clean out the leaves.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have a 2023 but mine smells like mildew this summer too. You can try draining the door (I heard water sloshing in it) but I still have the smell.

The carpets got wet.

I don’t have a 2023 but mine smells like mildew this summer too. You can try draining the door (I heard water sloshing in it) but I still have the smell.

Replace cabin filter and see if any wet spots in the cabin after rain.

There's a leak somewhere. Check the rubber thing around the windows.

Anonymous wrote:Ugh - car’s AC reeks after it rains. Anyone else have this issue? What’s the fix?

For how long? I’d replace the cabin air filter and see if it helps.

are the floors of the car wet? could you have a leak into the car itself?

Does it have a sunroof?

Ugh - car’s AC reeks after it rains. Anyone else have this issue? What’s the fix?