Smell inside doors

I'm new to this group since I just bought a Tacoma. When I roll down my windows, there is a mildew smell that is pretty powerful that blows in my face. Any ideas on getting rid of this? The seep holes are not clogged and the dealer put a "de-ionizer" inside the door, but the smell continues.

Thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Are you sure it is 'inside the doors'?

Perhaps the circulation from the windows being open is stirring it up from the seats or carpet?

 

Yes. It's definitely in the door. The interior is in good shape. I've sniffed it out carefully.

 

Box of baking soda in cab at night when you are not driving may help?? Never tried it myself, but it's cheap and worth a shot.

 

pull the door panel off and clean it and inside the door skin

could even be a moldy ass speaker

 

Thread revive.... Does anyone else have the same issues? I have a 2012 that is doing the same thing. I am the original owner and have never had the truck submerged in mud or water. The carpets are dry and have never been wet. The truck has less than 20,000 miles on it and is 2.5 years old. Thanks your help.

 

Just a thought, do you have door top mounted plastic aftermarket window vents/ rain shields??

 

I got the same thing.Only smell it when I open my window.Weird.Smelled like this when I bought it used.I just figured a fat slob owned it and left a twinkie somewhere.A few months later and a bunch of febreeze the smell still exists.

 

Does it let up in the summer when your not having any rain or wet streets?

 

Canufixit- I do not have any window vents / rain shields on the truck.
TacomaLlama- that is the only time the mold smell is present is when the windows are down. The smell seems strongest from the front passengers window. It does seem to be in all 4 doors.
Xbxb- That is a good question. It seems to have just started in the last few months. We have had a lot of rain in Florida during this summer. The weird thing is the truck doesn't sit out in the rain all that often.

I appreciate all the responses to this rather annoying issue. I guess I will have the dealership look at it so they can tell me there is nothing wrong and that is a normal smell. Is it easy to take the door panels off these trucks?

 

I have a 2012 double cab and I have the same smell at least in my driver's side door when the widows are down. I've tried cleaning the "strips" that wipe the window as it is rolled down but this doesn't seem to help. This must be caused my moisture getting trapped in the door.

 

My first thought when reading this was a moldy/mildew of the AC evaporator being drawn out when the windows open... I had that smell too (kind of like an old, smelly sneaker), but no longer since I used an evaporator cleaner/rinsing foam.

 

My Weathertech mats get condensation under them that smells a little sour if I don't air it out about once a week. Just the rear ones though, it's weird.

 

I just pulled my inner fender liners and found a good 8+ inches of leaves dirt and debris packed inside my fender. Maybe you have something like that going on.

 

Good catch! if you can post how to "easily ?" get them out or how to check I'd like to see your Post.

For the OP, Since water can get in between the door anyway. why not mix up a weak solution of anti mold stuff (i.e. evap cleaner or just some diluted bleach), and carefully pour it down between the rubber and the glass ? Just a thought...

 

this

there is nothing within the door besides a small patch of insulation thats used for sound deadening. Thats the only thing that could grow mold or smell bad.

Ive had my truck stripped down a few times and my educated guess is the cab is leaking.

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wash mine out, but haven't taken them off. I can;t wait to see whats back there when I replace them.

do not do this... if you have ever seen inside the door you would know why. the OE guard for the electronics is lacking... + there is nothing back there to "kill".

 

If there is an easy way I'd like someone to post it. It was a pain in my ass

 

I have identified the source of the smell. It is the rubber piece that cleans the window as it rolls up/down. The material just below the rubber strip doesn't feel like rubber and this is what has the strong moldy smell. It is damp to the touch but doesn't come into contact with the window when it is rolled up or down. I have the truck baking in the sun now with all 4 windows down. I have tried this before but it never seems to dry out. Where can I buy the evap cleaner?

 

Yup; mine has the same musty smell; Noticed it on the drivers door first, but checked and all four doors have a slight odor. Rolled the windows down and did the shiff-check. Haven't had this on other vehicles but expect it will dissipate in the winter.

 

Mine stank year round