Why does my air conditioner smell like mold and mildew...

Picked up my 2020 in Houston with 7 miles on it on day two I started having the smell!

 

Bummer. I haven’t had the problem in my ‘17 and if the AC is on, it’s on recirculate. (only 10 months a year)

There is NO F’N WAY my AC is getting turned off before I turn the key off. I’d give the AC a vinegar douche twice a week before my cold air gets shut off!

 

So strange, my 16 Tundra doesn't do this but my 2011 Sienna used to smell like stinky wet towels inside from the AC. Turning the AC off, but letting the vents run, a few minutes before we parked did the trick. Ridiculous thing to have to deal with but it was the only thing that worked.

 

I had to do this on a Chevy Impala I used to own. After cleaning the coils ... this is all that would work to keep the “sock” from returning.

Hope you get it figured out.