Sounds like it would have helped - thanks!
A/C Smell
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
GLC 300
A/C Smell
2018 GLC 300 - A/C smells like dirty socks, cheese, mold and mildew. I know there is a settlement and I am entitled to a fix for 10 years from the in service date. However, every time I take the vehicle in for the A/C odor I get the "well, we were unable to duplicate the smell, but we did replace the filters". Great, and then in 30 days the odor is BACK. Contacted MB who stated that it has to be evaluated by an authorized MB service and it is "out of our hands". It has been to the dealership at least 6 times for this issue with no resolve. Anyone else have a better experience with a dealership or any independent that has found a fix. Getting old taking it in 2 or 3 times every summer to get the filters replaced. I have seen some suggestions online about running the heater, etc, but none of those recommendations have worked. Paid good money for a vehicle that stinks during the summer months. Thanks!
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 36
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2021 GLC 300 4Matic
Had the same problem before and here's what my service advisor told me. After a drive and turning off the ignition, press the AC/Rest button before you get out of your car. The explanation given to me was that this will heat up the AC coils and dry them, leaving no moisture in the coils. Moisture breeds the bacteria that produces the foul smell. Btw, AC will turn off after 10 minutes (if I remember correctly).
Whether this is true or not, it's working for me. Hope it helps you.
Whether this is true or not, it's working for me. Hope it helps you.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,714
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
DIY is as good as the dealer “treatment”. The MB remedy is not a fix, it’s a cleaning or a treatment. The smell will come back eventually. It’s one of a very long list of Mercedes design mistakes.
The search feature will bring up the DIY procedure.
The search feature will bring up the DIY procedure.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 205
From: NW
2018 GLC 4MATIC
Originally Posted by 8102whtsil
2018 GLC 300 - A/C smells like dirty socks, cheese, mold and mildew. I know there is a settlement and I am entitled to a fix for 10 years from the in service date. However, every time I take the vehicle in for the A/C odor I get the "well, we were unable to duplicate the smell, but we did replace the filters". Great, and then in 30 days the odor is BACK. Contacted MB who stated that it has to be evaluated by an authorized MB service and it is "out of our hands". It has been to the dealership at least 6 times for this issue with no resolve. Anyone else have a better experience with a dealership or any independent that has found a fix. Getting old taking it in 2 or 3 times every summer to get the filters replaced. I have seen some suggestions online about running the heater, etc, but none of those recommendations have worked. Paid good money for a vehicle that stinks during the summer months. Thanks!
But I do have exact problem with our Nissan, and here is what I do:
Pull cabin filter out (in your case there are two filters one in cabin and one under the hood)
start the car and turn off the AC and turn on the fan full speed.
Spray Lysol into air takes, Im using at least half of the bottle.
Stop the engine and let it sit, I keep it this way for a few hours or overnight.
Install new filters. It helps but smell eventually will come back.
There is another way, a few miles before your final destination turn if AC and let the air go, it will dry out all moister. But you need to do it every time you drive.
Good luck.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 33,348
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MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 33,348
Likes: 6,611
There was a lawsuit in the USA against MBUSA on this though:
I believe this was it?
https://www.lieffcabraser.com/defect...-benz-ac-mold/
I believe this was it?
https://www.lieffcabraser.com/defect...-benz-ac-mold/
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 435
Likes: 109
From: CA
2021 GLE 450, 2017 GLC 300 4Matic, 2008 FJ Cruiser
Had same problem with GLC and E class dealer didn’t help pretended everything was fine. But somebody on here fabbirsd or something like that told me awhile ago to do this and it helped my sweaty sock smell problem.
Preferably night time but get on freeway roll down windows turn on Heat High for 30-45 minutes heat will bake/cook mold and whatever else is your in there. Smell will be gone. Learn to turn off AC minute before turning off car. Been 3 years now since doing this smell has never come back in both cars. Been doing same to my 6 month GLE turning off AC minute before reaching destination no smell so far.
Only car that I have never had problem with AC smell and it’s on 24/7 is my Toyota FJ.
Preferably night time but get on freeway roll down windows turn on Heat High for 30-45 minutes heat will bake/cook mold and whatever else is your in there. Smell will be gone. Learn to turn off AC minute before turning off car. Been 3 years now since doing this smell has never come back in both cars. Been doing same to my 6 month GLE turning off AC minute before reaching destination no smell so far.
Only car that I have never had problem with AC smell and it’s on 24/7 is my Toyota FJ.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
2018 GLC 300 - A/C smells like dirty socks, cheese, mold and mildew. I know there is a settlement and I am entitled to a fix for 10 years from the in service date. However, every time I take the vehicle in for the A/C odor I get the "well, we were unable to duplicate the smell, but we did replace the filters". Great, and then in 30 days the odor is BACK. Contacted MB who stated that it has to be evaluated by an authorized MB service and it is "out of our hands". It has been to the dealership at least 6 times for this issue with no resolve. Anyone else have a better experience with a dealership or any independent that has found a fix. Getting old taking it in 2 or 3 times every summer to get the filters replaced. I have seen some suggestions online about running the heater, etc, but none of those recommendations have worked. Paid good money for a vehicle that stinks during the summer months. Thanks!
If you live in a high humidity locale, and especially if you use "recirculate" a lot, you're likely to get a mold growth in the inner workings.
Running the heater can help, as will some of the suggestions above, but once you've got that mold started, only a sterilization can "cure" the problem.
I know it's frustrating, and the "could not duplicate" is the worst.
Maybe take it to an Auto A/C shop that does all brands, and ask for help.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 8
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GLC 300 4MATIC
I have a 2020 GLC 300 sold in the US. This smell occurs within a year of changing cabin air filters (they come in two filters) and I'm unsure if MB has changed the flawed design since 2019. I know the original settlement in the US covers up to 2019 GLC models. But I'm curious if owners of model year from 2020 on experience the same issue. (Well, I recently had a 2022 GLC loaner car from the dealership and its smell was worse than mine.) I believe the original service schedule by MB recommends cabin air filter changes every two year (or 20,000 miles). So I think we're not supposed to have the smell in one year of filter change. I'm also curious if MB would extend that settlement to 2020 and more recent model years. Any thoughts?
Last edited by vanillaman; Oct 12, 2022 at 11:32 AM.
