Overwhelming air freshener smell in my newly leased Telluride S!

[Cdlug5]

I just leased a 2019 Telluride S (50 miles on it) and when we drove it off the lot we smelled an overwhelming scent of cherry air freshener mixed with what can be best compared to the smell of a porta-potty. I've driven the car for 3 days and can't stand the smell and feel completely robbed of the new car scent. Has anyone ever experienced this? I can only assume it was an attempt to cover up the smell of something else because I've owned and leased many new cars in the last 30 years and none have ever smelled like this!

 

[jw_tx21]

I just leased a 2019 Telluride S (50 miles on it) and when we drove it off the lot we smelled an overwhelming scent of cherry air freshener mixed with what can be best compared to the smell of a porta-potty. I've driven the car for 3 days and can't stand the smell and feel completely robbed of the new car scent. Has anyone ever experienced this? I can only assume it was an attempt to cover up the smell of something else because I've owned and leased many new cars in the last 30 years and none have ever smelled like this!

Uh, no. But, 50 miles is 50 miles... could have been test driven, dealer owner car for a day... who knows. Sorry - I'd go back to dealership and find source of issue.

 

[Cdlug5]

Uh, no. But, 50 miles is 50 miles... could have been test driven, dealer owner car for a day... who knows. Sorry - I'd go back to dealership and find source of issue.

Thanks, JW_tx21. I sent a text to the gentleman who sold it to us but he hasn't responded. I plan to go to the dealership during my lunch to get to the bottom of it asap.

 

[dlyn555]

I know your post is quite old but we're experiencing something similar. New 2021 EX with a strong 'air freshener' smell, which is totally different than a 'new car smell'. Did you ever sort out your smell? The dealer claims not to know what ours might be...

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[Tellthemride]

Sometimes a car just reeks of cologne a salesman wears too much of when going on test drives with customers. Could leave the windows/doors open a few hours a day to let it dissipate.

 

[dlyn555]

Thank you for the thought. I wish it were that simple. In this case, the car came off the transport and the keys were placed in our hands within hours. We've had it 3 days now, windows open when in the garage, including overnight, and no change yet. Hoping there was some heavy duty cleaner used upon dealer inspection but thought I'd check in here for any like experiences.

 

[JerseySXP]

Thank you for the thought. I wish it were that simple. In this case, the car came off the transport and the keys were placed in our hands within hours. We've had it 3 days now, windows open when in the garage, including overnight, and no change yet. Hoping there was some heavy duty cleaner used upon dealer inspection but thought I'd check in here for any like experiences.

Did your dealer throw in some BS leather coating to help protect it? My guess is they used some detailing product on the interior that has a long term residual smell. Should pass over time.

 

[dlyn555]

If they added anything extra, it wasn't mentioned (or paid for). It's a good guess though as that's the type of smell. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that it dissipates sooner rather than later! Thanks for the response.

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