Toyota Innova Owners & Discussions [continued 3]

[MrQ5]

from autoworld.com.my

My friend who bought a new Innova had a problem with sulphur smell coming into the aircon. She traced this to an article in the US whereby most Toyotas had this problem coming from the Cat con that was leaking sulphur. Below is the complaint that she posted in kereta.com.

" Shirley Lang says:
July 21, 2010 at 12:20 pm
I am driving an innova which is only 7 months old and it is producing sulfur smell from the air cond vent. There were mild and strong stenches at differet time. I reported the case to Toyota during the 5000km service and they said it was the rubber mat so I removed the mat immediately and let them service the car. Anyway, I insisted they check the sulfur smell from the air cond vent; placed the car for 3 days; Upon collection, the car had fresherner smell. I assumed they have cleaned and solve the problem but no.

So I wrote to the customer service dept HQ at Shah Alam and the service centre at PJ called again when the sulfur ordour reappears and I was asked to place my car with them for 3 days to check again. When I collected the car, they said they have cleaned the air cond coil; but I realize that they never key in any report nor gave me a copy. A test drive was done when there is freshener. The problem is still persisting now after the fresherner has worn off and the air cond still produces unpleasant sulfur ordour witnessed by by friend, son and colleagues.

On Monday evening 19/1/10; I heard misfire sound (like firecracker ) then there were some smell a few times. When I got home, the external of the car was also very smelly; again sulfur smell. I wrote in total of 3 letters and the service guy called again; he said only Vios owners complain about sulfur smell and not Innova; I replied that I can be the 1st. He admitted that there are some probems with the cat converter, but the smell will go away in 10,000km. He said a Vios owner wanted him to get rid of the external smell and he told the owner he can do it by replacing it with an old Cat converter from accident cars. I told him about the misfire and he was frustrated. I explained that there might be a link; probably the sulfur (caused by ineffective cat converter) from the exhaust force the air into the air cond vent. I am actually very frustrated as I have to deal with the smell almost everyday.

Today, 21/7/10, he has arranged for a test drive again. A short test drive cannot determine much. Why would I even want to waste my time when I do not have a problem. I have called many times to speak to the head at HQ but I can’t get him on the phone. The secretary will say meeting, outstation, but when I asked when he is returning; only then she said my case was handed to another person.

So guys and gals….what do you think of TOYOTA? paying more than RM100K to get a SMELLY CAR….Toyota stinks!"

"Shirley says:
July 29, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Hi, placed my innova at the sec 19 SC on the 26th July 10 again. This time around I wrote the complaints very clearly on the manual Service Order. Instructed them to check the back ventilator, exhaust system, the catalytic converter and the exhaust sensor. The staff who attended to me said that the sulfur will go away after 20,000km; thus I demanded a confirmation letter from them. I have not received any letter from them yet. Yesterday the staff called and told me they have found the root problem; a misaligned rear filter. Nothing was written on the feedback report; just alignment of filter; nothing was written on the exhaust, the catalytic converter etc. Geeeeeeeeee after I collected my car today;several strong stenches appeared again; I have shut off the rear ACcooler now as I can’t stand the odor. They have failed on their 3rd attempt. If they don’t solve the exhaust problem, the sulfur odor problem will stay put. They are all aware of the catalytic converter problem…..admitted the cat converter is the problem; yet doing nothing about it. Many vios owners will be facing same. I’ll be writting the 2nd reminder letter soon. The head of the customer service still have not return my call after I have left many messages for him to contact me. Looks like everyone is hiding. I am having headache now….really can’t stand the smell….just like 10 people farted in the car."

Shirley says:
August 13, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Hi, the SC has realigned the filter and it didn’t work; I now drive with the rear cooler turned off. The front Air cond system is OK; but when I stop the car; mild sulfur will still leak in from the rear cooler vents’ opening. I’ve written many letters to demand an answer. It seems that Toyota knows the problem as their staffs admitted that it was the CAT; but the green light must be given by top management. By the way, they have not replied any of my letter (only the 1st letter which is general with a complaint number) HQ will only call to entertain me and will never return call till they receive a written mail.

Today I received a call from the HQ saying that they don’t understand what I am smelling…bull ****!; there are many Vios owners who are complaining too and the sc staff himself told me about it. They said that they have to smell the ordour TOGETHER WITH ME TO CONFIRM MY VIERSION OF SULFUR SMELL…I told them sulfur is smells like rotten egg, fart, sulfur chemicals which we experimented in high school…probably dragging it and making me feel like a fool. I also told them it is the same smell from the exhaust which their staffs witnessed; but HQ wants their so called specific special nation wide technician to smell it….geeeeeeeeeeeeee

My car is under warranty and the cat converter is an expensive part……They are aware….just that they wanna make it so tough so that I will give up……more like toyota is mentally torturing their customers???? This is what one calls “GOOD SERVICE”

The strong stench has to be built up during acceleration….and it will only be realeased into the cabin…and a 20 min test drive is hard to not enough to prove…..most people who rode in my car experienced and witnessed it. The car farts at its own temperament. I told them I have left my car there for so many days and the SC should smell it……but they insist that they must smell it together with me…which is extremely frustrating.

One thing they don’t understand about customer service is that customers don’t simply complain or waste time writing letters if there is no problem. Imagine I have live through the stink for another 10 years and winding windows up and down; I think it is also their design defect as the blower is so near to the exhaust to suck in the sulfur."

Above are some of the comments and I believe if local Toyota do not want to kill their customers and face a huge legal headache, they should come off their high horse and look into customer complaints. Gone are the days where UMW can depend on Toyota's rep of 100% problem free cars with the recent incidents globally and not just sweep it under the carpet. China is one example where they place Chevy cars (made in Korea) as better made than Toyota from Japan/China.

There are also complaints not only from Innova owners but Vios as well, so any of you heard about this?

any ka-innova na nag-amoy utot ang interior from leaking sulfur of faulty cat con?

[kristine123]

from autoworld.com.my

any ka-innova na nag-amoy utot ang interior from leaking sulfur of faulty cat con?

Sa akin ok naman walang amoy utot. Aircon is very cold even in very hot climate.

Maliban na lang pag may umutot sa loob ng Innova

[mib904]

from autoworld.com.my

any ka-innova na nag-amoy utot ang interior from leaking sulfur of faulty cat con?

wala pa po ako na e-experience with my Innova J(2012) to date.

[Retz]

effective ba ung rear window defogger? are you using it especially this rainy season?

[kristine123]

effective ba ung rear window defogger? are you using it especially this rainy season?

Effective po pag nag moist ang sa loob pwede nya patuyuin, pero pag sa labas nag momoist wiper lang gamit ko... Takot lang ako ma low bat..., baka makalimutan ko din patayin.

[dr. d]

effective ba ung rear window defogger? are you using it especially this rainy season?

yes, it's effective. but with your aircon on, you wouldn't need the defogger. with the aircon off in a heavy rain at night, you will need a defogger for both front and rear windshields.

[kristine123]

yes, it's effective. but with your aircon on, you wouldn't need the defogger. with the aircon off in a heavy rain at night, you will need a defogger for both front and rear windshields.

Pero need mo pa rin ang rear wiper kasi ang sa labas ang mag moist. (with rear spoiler Innova).

[terio2028]

from autoworld.com.my

any ka-innova na nag-amoy utot ang interior from leaking sulfur of faulty cat con?

Meron ako napansin na amoy pero pag start lang ng makina tapos bukas ng aircon. After a while wala na. Na encounter nyo ba yun? Mine is 2012 E D4D.

[happymeal]

Effective po pag nag moist ang sa loob pwede nya patuyuin, pero pag sa labas nag momoist wiper lang gamit ko... Takot lang ako ma low bat..., baka makalimutan ko din patayin.

Yup the rear window defogger if effective. It warms up the glass to stop condensation in th outside.
Because if you use only the rear wipers and the glass is cold, condensation is very fast and blurs the rear.
Parang malamig na baso ng tubig, kahit anong punas mo, lumalabo agad.

For the sides and windshield, this fast condensation also happens. And front wiper is not enough because after the wiper wipes, there is already new condensation quickly forming.

So change the temp control to heat (turn to the knob to max red and not blue) or use the climate control.
Then change air flow direction to windshied and sides - may button dyan na korteng windshied ang drawing.
The cabin will become very warm as hot air comes out of the vents. Then it will warm up the side windows and the windshield. Once it warms up a little, it will make your windshield very clear after the wipe. No more condensation. If ok na, set again to cool (mid blue and red) - not cold (blue).

Moral of the story: Do not set your temp very low especially if it is raining. For me, climate control of 26 degrees C is enough rain or shine. No bakat of cold aircon at night - walang namamasa-masang part ng salamin near aircon vents. It is a sign your aircon is set too cold.

[Retz]

Yup the rear window defogger if effective. It warms up the glass to stop condensation in th outside.
Because if you use only the rear wipers and the glass is cold, condensation is very fast and blurs the rear.
Parang malamig na baso ng tubig, kahit anong punas mo, lumalabo agad.

For the sides and windshield, this fast condensation also happens. And front wiper is not enough because after the wiper wipes, there is already new condensation quickly forming.

So change the temp control to heat (turn to the knob to max red and not blue) or use the climate control.
Then change air flow direction to windshied and sides - may button dyan na korteng windshied ang drawing.
The cabin will become very warm as hot air comes out of the vents. Then it will warm up the side windows and the windshield. Once it warms up a little, it will make your windshield very clear after the wipe. No more condensation. If ok na, set again to cool (mid blue and red) - not cold (blue).

Moral of the story: Do not set your temp very low especially if it is raining. For me, climate control of 26 degrees C is enough rain or shine. No bakat of cold aircon at night - walang namamasa-masang part ng salamin near aircon vents. It is a sign your aircon is set too cold.

Thanks for the advise sir. Yan nga usually problema pag nag "condensation" hirap na ang visibiity.