2021-2026 Toyota Vehicles Musty Odor Remediation TSB

Toyota Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) T-SB-0055-24 Rev2, issued on June 21, 2024, addresses a common concern for owners of certain 2021-2026 Toyota vehicles: a persistent musty odor in the cabin. This condition typically arises from water intrusion into the vehicle's interior. The TSB provides comprehensive guidelines for dealers to perform an odor remediation process.

This bulletin was revised on January 07, 2026 (Rev2) to expand its applicability to include additional 2025 and 2026 model year vehicles. An earlier revision on July 29, 2024 (Rev1) updated the reassembly procedure section.

Symptoms

Owners may notice a distinct musty odor inside their 2021-2026 Toyota Camry or other affected models. This odor is a direct result of water intrusion, which can lead to the growth of organic matter within the vehicle's interior components.

Important Warnings

Toyota has issued several critical warnings regarding this odor remediation process:

• The procedures in this service bulletin are NOT applicable to vehicles that have undergone severe freshwater or saltwater intrusion, such as those involved in floods, storms, or typhoons.
• This bulletin is NOT for general HVAC odor concerns; it specifically addresses odors related to water intrusion.
• Before starting any remediation, the source of the water intrusion MUST be identified and repaired. This bulletin does NOT apply if the water leak has not been fixed.
• Soft parts, including floor mats, carpet, carpet padding, jute padding, insulated pads, Styrofoam pads, and the dash panel insulator assembly, that have contacted moisture MUST be removed and replaced with NEW parts. They should NOT be reused.
• Hard parts, such as plastic garnishes, trim panels, scuff plates, kick panels, center consoles, and plastic ductwork, do NOT need to be replaced.
• If the dash panel insulator assembly requires replacement, it MUST be removed and replaced with a NEW part BEFORE vehicle remediation. Do NOT attempt to cut out affected areas or treat this assembly.
• A cabin air filter should NOT be installed in the HVAC system during the remediation process.
• A NEW high-performance charcoal filter should be installed AFTER the entire remediation process is completed.
• HV or EV batteries must be removed prior to servicing or cleaning areas where they are present or exposed, following all recommended safety procedures.
• Technicians must ALWAYS use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as per current EPA guidelines.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

The primary condition triggering this service is the presence of a musty odor caused by water intrusion. The diagnostic process involves:

1. Water Leak Source Identification: The initial and most crucial step is to identify and repair the source of the water leak. The TSB emphasizes that remediation cannot proceed until the leak is fixed.
2. Interior Inspection: A thorough inspection of the entire interior floorboard area is required to identify all affected areas. This includes checking soft parts for organic matter growth or staining, as well as hard parts.
3. Dash Panel Insulator Inspection: The dash panel insulator assembly, located along the base of the instrument panel and floorboard area, must be inspected on both the driver and passenger sides for any signs of water contact or organic matter growth.

Repair Procedure Summary

The odor remediation process is a multi-step procedure performed by a Toyota dealer:

1. Preparation: Technicians apply two layers of blue painter's tape to all door opening thresholds (door sills, B and C pillars) to protect painted surfaces during interior component removal and reinstallation.
2. Disassembly: The cabin air filter is removed and discarded. All interior components covering the affected floor area are removed. This may include front and rear seat assemblies and lower trim panels. If organic growth is present only in the trunk or cabin, only those specific components are removed. If the dash panel insulator assembly is affected, it is removed and replaced with a new part before proceeding with remediation.
3. Cleaning Procedure: Any loose debris is removed from the floor pan. The floor pan and other non-replaced components are then sprayed and scrubbed with a heavy-duty cleaner (such as Spray Nine) to remove stains. Following this, a 3M™ Quat Disinfectant product is sprayed and allowed to soak for at least 30 minutes, ensuring the surface remains visibly wet. After soaking, all moisture is carefully wiped dry.
4. Clearance Test (Optional): While not mandatory, a clearance test can be performed if the dealer or customer desires. Options include using Inspector Lab or Mold Inspection Network services.
5. Reassembly: The vehicle interior is reassembled using treated hard parts and NEW soft parts. If a clearance test was conducted, reassembly occurs only after successful test results are received. A NEW high-performance charcoal filter is installed, and vehicle operation is confirmed, with any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) cleared.
6. Ozone Machine Treatment: After reassembly, the vehicle's A/C is set to recirculation mode. An ozone machine is run for one hour, then turned off, and the vehicle is allowed to air out for two hours.

Required Tools or Parts

Specific tools and parts are required for this remediation process:

• High Performance Charcoal Filter (QTY 1)
• Insulator Assy., Dash Panel (QTY 1) (part number determined from Parts Catalog)
• 3M™ (or Equivalent) N95 Certified (or Higher) NIOSH Approved Respirator
• Safety Goggles/Eye Protection
• Protective Gloves
• 3M™ Quat Disinfectant Cleaner Concentrate 5 (QTY 1)
• Heavy Duty Cleaner (like Spray Nine or similar) (QTY 1)
• Pump Spray Bottle (QTY 1)
• Scrub Brush (QTY 1)
• Painter's Tape (QTY 1)
• Ozone Machine (or Equivalent) (Part Number: RBO521011)

Warranty Information

This odor remediation repair, identified by OP Code 743991, is covered under the Toyota Basic Warranty. This warranty is valid for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date. The warranty application is limited to instances of the specific condition described in this bulletin.

Owner Action

If your 2021-2026 Toyota Camry or other applicable Toyota model exhibits a musty odor, particularly after any incident involving water intrusion, it is recommended to contact your authorized Toyota dealer. They can diagnose the source of the water leak and perform the necessary odor remediation process as outlined in TSB T-SB-0055-24 Rev2. Be sure to mention any previous water exposure. This repair, including addressing the Toyota Camry musty odor, is covered under the Toyota Basic Warranty if your vehicle is within the specified coverage period.

NHTSA ID: 11028712