2002 Sonata Cabin Smell

My wife has a 2002 LX w/ 13K miles.

She's complaining about a "toxic" smell in the cabin with the windows
closed and ac on or off. Does anyone know what this might be or how it
can be fixed???

I think it might be the filter or the condenser but at 13K there
shouldn't be a problem with mold, humidity, etc.

 

**I have to mention, the inside of Hyundais always reek. My ex-Santa
Fe had a smell that was akin to burnt pencil erasers shoved into your
nostrils from day one and it never went away. In fact, a car critic
here in Detroit mentioned Hyundai's perpetual stinkiness. On the flip
side, if it isn't the inherent smell, perhaps it could be mold in the
ventilation system.

kaboomie

 

It has been mentioned that Sonatas are given an anti-rust undercoating
in Korea before their trans-Pacific journey and the odor from that is
noticeable for a while before it all dissipates.

I bought my Sonata in year 2000 and could smell an odor for a while
when the car was new but did not find it particularly bothersome.
Whatever it did go away in due course.

Old_Timer

 

Thanks everyone. I'll take it in for service this week.

Has anyone had a problem with water leaking into the trunk or cabin??
The car is magnificent otherwise. I'm buying an 03 XG350L (Celadon
Green) for myself.

 

I would drop the glove box and check the cabin air filter. I have seen
these develop an nasty build-up of mold and spores in just a few thousand
miles. These filters work great for pollen but clog up and cause more
problems with A/C system freezing up due to lack of air flow.


--
Gerald Lawson
ASE Certified Master Auto Technician
ASE Certified Undercar Specialist
Hyundai Senior Master Technician
Mitsubishi Master Technician