Rotten Food/Dirty Socks smell coming out of vent?

sounds like you need a/c cleaning. you can show it to the dealer, try some lysol/baking soda, or auto parts shoppes will have deodorizers.

 

Usually it is mold in the AC system.

Since in 3 months the 2018's will be out, if your 2016 is really "brand new" it could actually have been rolled onto the lot 21 months or more ago. That's lots of time for growth.

 

Is the drain hose working? - ie draining condensate under the car onto the ground.

 

That's a good question, come to think of it, I've never seen any water spots under my car. And I run the AC every day.

But thankfully, I've never had a rotten sock smell! I wonder exactly "where" the dealer poured some stuff? How about pouring something in the vent that is outside the car, at the bottom of the windshield. Mine gets kind of plugged with bugs occasionally, and I vacuum it. I also change the cabin filter in the glove box more often than most people.

 

I've not noticed it drip to the same extent as some of my older cars, but have still seen some - I had a drip tray under some in the garage which I would occasionally have to empty in humid weather.

 

take it back and complain, did they do it for free?

 

First......you need to be sure that some "crap" hasn't accumulated inside the outside air intake and molded into a gooey mess.
That intake usually is at the bottom of the windshield and you can see much of it with a flashlight.

BUT......if this really is a brand new left-over 2016 vehicle, it is the dealers responsibility to FIX IT regardless of the cause.
NOW would be a good time to call the "help" number in your warranty book........and maybe even check into the lemon laws where you live.

The dealership likely will just screw around with you as long as you let them.

 

Mold is a health hazard, tell the dealer it needs removing or you'll die

 

When you bought it had it been used as a demo for a protracted time? Was the smell there from day one, or gradually increased? How many miles on it now?

 

Maybe it was a pizza delivery vehicle ?

 

Lots of anchovie pizzas?

 

Must have been @CoastRider 's previous vehicle

 

That was a burger van.

 

I thought he liked pizzas more . He thought the wheel caps looked like pizza slices.

One problem could be that the wires are made out of soy. A rat might have died in the vents, although I don't think there are wires in the vents. There have been plenty of these issues on PC.

 

Yes but not many in a car that new with a problem that severe.

The "normal" problem usually occurs after a couple of summers and comes on gradually.

 

Maybe he's outa here? I'd like to know:

1. How many miles on this "brand new" car"
2. How much is the AC being run, pretty much constant?
3. Is the car constantly being shut down immediately after running AC?

#3 will leave standing moisture, in a warm/dark place, and it doesn't take that long for mold to develop in those conditions.

 

One of those Fabreze clip ons could help in the time being. I just started using it this week since the new car smell is almost gone and it's noticeable, but not too strong.