Odor problem?

[otbiker]

Our early build LTZ is currently at the dealership having all the seats stripped of leatherette (vinyl) and cushions. They claim they are going to bag all the materials and see if that is the source of the smell. Personally, I'm confident GM knows this is the problem. Why would you pay a dealership to dismantle an interior if you didn't know what you're looking for?

I'm VERY concerned about how its going to look when we get it back. I have taken photos of all the seats before I delivered it the dealership.

I know this will resolve the issue, just fearful of the upholstery workmanship at the dealer...

I was really impressed that Chevrolet intervened through this forum, was truly concerned, and issued a case number for me to use at the dealership.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

That's what I am here for otbiker! Please keep me posted on the upholstery repairs/replacement and let me know if there is anything more I can do to assist you!

Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[otbiker]

UPDATE... The car has been at the dealership for two weeks. GM authorized disassembling all the seats, removing the covers and cushions, to verify this is where the odor was coming from.

All the parts were ordered to rebuild the seats. Now it turns out some of the parts are on National Backorder! The car is scattered across the two bays in the service department, and no parts to complete the job.

GM knew exactly what parts were needed to complete this task. Why didn't someone check to see if the parts were available BEFORE they took apart the car?

 

[SabreXray]

My LTZ (2013) smells as well. Issue with the leatherette then. Interesting. Very interesting.

 

[bandita52]

i have had that same smell in my car as well otbiker and the dealer to me it had to do with condensation. my car has a cloth interior. i'll be picking up my car sometime today and ask the dealer about the issue so i can get a second opinion.

 

[otbiker]

There are actually three different issues out there concerning odors...

1. The Leatherette seating in the LTZ. That's our problem

2. Water leakage at the cabin air inlet, creating a moldy odor when the carpet gets wet.

3. A/C odors. Not uncommon in all cars. If you shut off the A/C off a few minutes before you park, this helps dry off the evaporator. Mold will not grow on the evaporator.

 

[otbiker]

Resolved!

The car was completed yesterday and looks good. Dealer replaced the cushions and the leatherette seat covers. GM called today and asked me if I was satisfied. They apologized for the inconvenience and offered me two years of FREE On Star.

Though I challenges at the dealer level, Chevrolet and GM really stepped up.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Great to hear this otbiker!

Amber N.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[bandita52]

my issue is similar to #2 but i'm not sure if there is any leakage. the dealer wanted me to run the a/c for few minutes before i shut off the car. i occasionally get a sweet smell from time to time.

 

[Orange you glad LTZ]

I love this little car... but IT STINKS! I have a 2013 LTZ (bought it in April) and just last week the interior has begun to reek! It's disgusting and makes me sour getting into my car. I always keep it clean and there are no spills etc. Sniffing around like a hound trying to find the source I decided it may be coming from my spare tire--- because it smells like chemical / rubber / petroleum/ plastic sort of bleh!
I vacuumed it all out yesterday and bought 3 air fresheners - put one in the cup holder, one by the spare tire and one in the hatch.
No help at all. It stinks! Bad!

Reading the above thread leads me to believe I need to contact the dealer---
I'm glad I'm not the first one with this problem, hope the dealer has heard of it when I contact em.

My floor mats seem fine so I don't think its the leaky windshield.
I don't think its the circulator filter because the air coming out of the vent smells good.

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[Orange you glad LTZ]

There are actually three different issues out there concerning odors...

1. The Leatherette seating in the LTZ. That's our problem

2. Water leakage at the cabin air inlet, creating a moldy odor when the carpet gets wet.

3. A/C odors. Not uncommon in all cars. If you shut off the A/C off a few minutes before you park, this helps dry off the evaporator. Mold will not grow on the evaporator.

I think I have the same issue that you had--- my interior stinks. I have the 2013 LTZ with the Learherette seats. It just started about 9/10 days ago. The floor mats seem dry so I don't think it's a leaky windshield, and the air in the vent smells good . It's when I get in my car after it's been closed up for 15 -30 minutes . The smell is evenly displaced about the car.

Definitely didn't smell like this when I bought it in April.
Weird





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[J T]

Other than a minor odd odor early on due to some rain getting in my car, I actually like the way my interior smells, especially after the car has been baking in the sun.

 

[Orange you glad LTZ]

I think I have the same issue that you had--- my interior stinks. I have the 2013 LTZ with the Learherette seats. It just started about 9/10 days ago. The floor mats seem dry so I don't think it's a leaky windshield, and the air in the vent smells good . It's when I get in my car after it's been closed up for 15 -30 minutes . The smell is evenly displaced about the car.

Definitely didn't smell like this when I bought it in April.
Weird





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So after 2 weeks of smell I made an appointment with the dealer. 2 days before I was to bring it in--- the smell magically faded away! So I cancelled the appt- and was happy.

Now a week later the smell is coming back.

It's been warm this week-- not sure if that's related* .

*Back in July when it was nearly 100 degrees for a couple weeks straight it didn't smell bad at all, so I'm not sure it's related.

I'm going to wait til Monday and see if it goes away, if it doesn't I'll make a new appt.

#chevy #odorproblem #sonic


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[Blue hedgehog]

I haven't smelled a fishy or sweet odor but occasionally I get an odor theat smells like dirty gym clothes. I have checked the floor for dampness and its dry. The smell does seem to go away pretty quick. There is nothing in the car or trunk so I have no idea what's causing this smell.
Ideas?

 

[BruteRam]

When we picked up our 2012 ltz new it had a strange smell and I wrote it off as the cleaner they used but my son commented it smelt fishy. Had the car for two years now and when its hot out I've had a few people comment that it smells fishy. Goes away in the winter but then I get the antifreeze smell. Great car except for all the odors!

 

[SuperFudd]

Not going to read this entire string. It is old and I may have posted this already but here it is.
Perhaps it is mold or some such in the air conditioner. This will happen if moisture is left in the system. Keep in mind that the A/C removes water from the air and drains it out a tube benieth the car.
To avoid this, turn the A/C off a few blocks short of your destination so that it can drain out. The engine needs to be running to do so.
I had that problem many years ago. This cured it.

 

[Wooksquatch]

I get the fish smell when its warmer out 2013 LTZ 1.4 bought it used in winter with no smells. Now when the car sits in the sun on a hot day it totally reeks of fish, it's practically unbearable. I have to let the car air out before I drive it. I figure it's the high quality leather seating giving off the wonderful odor, should smell like leather except it's not really leather. I am glad I bought it this year and not last year, with that summer I would have asphyxiated. Did getting the interior replaced fix this issue? I bought it certified used and if I can get rid of the fishbutt stink before my meager warranty runs out that would be awesome.

 

[INeFFeCTiVE]

Just last night for the first time My wife & I began to notice an odd medicine / sweet / jucyfruit’ish smell when the Air Con was on recirculate. Comes and goes, perhaps after an acceleration? Not real sure just yet. Tried to run the air without recirculate and I did not (yet) notice the smell occurring.

Had it in to the dealer earlier this week because I noticed that the Compressor was cycling and was not appearing to cool the car completely. They were very nice and did an “evac and refill” adding a bit more Freon and testing for leaks.

I’m still noticing the cycling quite often but I’m not all concerned about that just yet for I was going to give it some time before mentioning it to the dealer again. However this odd smell brought the HVAC system back to my attention.

I plan to see how it works over the weekend and perhaps bring it to their attention and take it in next Monday.

I have actually noticed that as well... it is a strong chemical odor. It almost burns but not quite. It may be freon but I don't know.

 

[SuperFudd]

I seem to recall reading on this forum some time back that a glue used in the heater A/C system sometimes puts out an odd odor.

 

[Wooksquatch]

Thanks SuperFudd your input in this thread has hopefully helped a few people. I would hope that a 2013 with 26000 miles on it wouldn't still have issues with glue that should be dry but you never know. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and look forward to finding a solution for this. Now that the temp has dropped considerably the smell is gone. I'm sure at this point if I take it to the dealer I will get "we don't smell anything".