GX550: Moisture in doors? Anyone else seeing this issue? (1 Viewer)

[tackGX]

Curious if others are seeing a similar issue: after a car wash or rain, the car (mine is a 25 OT, but not sure model matters) -- smells like wet clothes for a day or so if not opened up; even hours after car has dried, when the windows are rolled down, they will then roll up with moisture.

I know doors by design/function will get water in them from glass seal, but also have drain holes in the bottom. Mine seem to have a malfunction/clog at best, or a busted seal at worst.

 

[Lagunatic4x4]

I've actually started noticing a smell the last couple of months as it's gotten warmer outside. I haven't been able to track the source of this down at all. My vehicle is kept clean and very well maintained, so I'm really curious as to wtf is going on here.

 

[tackGX]

Yeah, mine only has 1k miles, and I started noticing it a few weeks in, while it still had new car smell so it was noticeable.

 

[BoostedGX]

You guys have sunroof models?

 

[tackGX]

I do; first thought was to my 100 series LX sunroof/A-pillar clog situation -- ptsd!

 

[nartmot]

This issue seems to be prevalent with the LC250 (which is basically the same vehicle with a different engine). Lots of people complaining about it here: Car smells strongly like mildew after rain/wet

 

[FirstTImeLex24]

2024 GX550 Lux+ having the same issue. There is a damp/moldy smell emanating from somewhere. The GX is impeccably clean/maintained so it is not a 'user error' situation. At one point I thought it might be coming from the AC/Climate system. Are you able to confirm the scent is from the door and moisture collection? Thanks.

 

[BryanM68]

Just throwing this out there. It's been a long standing issues with Toyota and Lexus having mold/mildew issues in the evaporator box. My wife's 2020 NX300 has a horrible smell that I'm about to try and resolve. Also, a few years ago I has a 2019 RX that had the issue. You really need to turn the AC off about ten minutes from arriving home with the fan on and fresh air coming in to dry out the box. Below is a good video that may help. Not saying this is everyone's issue, but it's worth thinking about.

 

[rangertrace]

Mine has it. I suspect the sunroof.

 

[tackGX]

A reasonable suspicion—especially considering the 2024 water intrusion issue (and stubborn A-pillar drain lines since the 100 Series). I had optimistically assumed the 2025s left that behind. GX550 recalled for water leak from the roof

That said, while my dealer giving me the classic “can’t recreate the issue” shrug, I do still suspect the door seals (and both may be true). After rain or a car wash, there’s a persistent amount of moisture clinging to the inside of the door cavities—evidenced by the wet streaks on the window during its upward travel, even 12+ hours later. Each door has three rubber plugs in the weep holes, which might be part of the puzzle (useful in reverse/water fording). Today I removed them from one door to test that out.

Here’s hoping Lexus ultimately recognizes the issue and engineers a proper fix—like they (eventually) did with hood flutter.

 

[Michael T]

I can add to this thread. Just hand washed my car yesterday. Hasn’t rained in weeks where I am, and no smell. This morning my cars smells of mildew after the wash. My doors and windows were rolled up and tightly closed. I have also noticed water traps in door after a rain.

Based on this thread of others who keep their car clean, and also smell mildew after rain or wash, I scheduled appointment at Lexus. Gonna wash the day before taking in, and will report back.

 

[tackGX]

I re-ran my test the other day (car wash and then leave in parking garage for a day, windows up) -- Mildew smell very apparent next day. Definitely not fixed by removing the rubber stoppers in each of the door weeps (12 total stoppers).

 

[Michael T]

I left at dealer 2 days ago and the tech said he had already located this and repaired this same problem with other 2024 GX’s. He said he hasn’t run across it yet with any 2025 GX’s. He said he knew exactly where to smell mine and sure enough the smell was coming from there.

Posted pic of replacement parts they covered under warranty

 

[snishs]

Can you share the photo of this plastic trim that was pulled and photo of the molding please?

I left at dealer 2 days ago and the tech said he had already located this and repaired this same problem with other 2024 GX’s. He said he hasn’t run across it yet with any 2025 GX’s. He said he knew exactly where to smell mine and sure enough the smell was coming from there.

Posted pic of replacement parts they covered under warranty

 

[ilumo]

Is this only happening on some gxs? Or is it being recalled for all?

 

[Michael T]

Can you share the photo of this plastic trim that was pulled and photo of the molding please?

Not sure if this will fix this issue or not, but the lexus tech seemed pretty confident he located the smell and it was same spot on other 550’s he’s already replaced. Maybe smell this part of your door after your next rain or wash, after it has sat wet for 12 hours. Photo of moulding part dealer replaced is below.

Will post plastic trim piece separately

 

[snishs]

Interesting! I am wondering if this was a result of car wash / rain / or tinting the windows or any and all of the above?

 

[Patrickg6191]

Thanks for the info. I haven't noticed this on my Luxury since I got it last October and I live in the Pacific Northwest. I go to the carwash in average once a month. I have a garage though, so I don't if this makes a difference for the drying process, etc.

 

[Michael T]

Can you share the photo of this plastic trim that was pulled and photo of the molding please?

I did NOT pull plastic off the car. I noticed at noon one day that water was dripping from the bottom of the driver door when i opened it. It had rained the day prior, so thought it was weird that my car was baking in the sun and I had driven to work and somehow water was still dripping from my car from prior day. I tugged on black plastic and water poured out.

When tech was walking me through moulding replacement at window seam, he also pulled back plastic in photo below and showed me that is where the drain lines empty. He said my drain lines weren’t clogged, so not sure why water was holding for so long after a rain. Hope this helps.

 

[vraa]

29LEZ ACCESSORIES ONE TECH(S) :9233 WARRANTY
CS THERE IS A ODD SMELL COMING FROM THE CABIN LIKE WATER
SITING. OVER A LONG TIME. PLEASE INSPECT AC DRAINS AND
ADVISE.
VERIFIED MUSTY MILDEW SMELL COMING FROM WINDOW BELT MOLDING
CAUSED BY, DEROGATION OF MATERIAL USED FROM FACTORY/
SUPPLIER
REPLACED WITH NEW UNITS, LEXUS IS AWARE OF ISSUE AND WORKING
ON UPDATED PARTS.
PERFORMED WATER PRESSURE LEAK TESTING ON WINDOWS, SUN ROOF
AND W/S FOUND NO WATER INTRUSION, FOUND THAT SMELL WAS
COMING FROM WINDOW BELT MOLDINGS.
REPLACED ALL MOLDINGS, OPC 671991 2.0HRS T1-66 T2-99