I have recently purchased a 2013 G37 coupe. The car has less than 12000 miles. I live in the deep south (high humidity). When I start the car, the air conditioning smells like mold. It's overwhelming. My husband changed the cabin air filter, but the car still smells bad when started.

I've taken the car to the dealership who informed me that it was an engineering defect. I've been reading online, and learned that I can run the heater full blast, change the cabin air filter every 3000 miles, spray Lysol inside the vents etc.... .

I am very disappointed that my $50K car smells like a dirty sock when started and that Infiniti has no permanent solution (they don't even acknowledge the issue). The folks who built my previous car (a 14K Hyundai) seemed to have been able to design A.C. for the south. I know it's "solvable"....

Really disappointed.

 

There's nothing wrong with the car, this happens sometimes in humid climates when you run the AC every day almost all year. They make products specifically to correct this. Here's one. There are many others as well. Search for YouTube videos to see how to properly use it.
Einszett Klima-Cleaner Professional AC Odor Remover - 250 ml | Free Shipping Available - Detailed Image

And if you bought a $50K G37, you got robbed of at least $15K.

Welcome to the forum.

 

If it is indeed moldy, it should be cleaned out.

What likely caused this is a build up of moisture when the car was parked. Once it is clean, you can prevent future mold issues by turning off the a/c ~1 min before shutting off the car. This allows the evaporator to go from cold to warm while still having air flow. Humid ambient air will not condense on the ambient temperature evaporator coils as they're now warm(ish) and thus moisture will not sit in a confined area for many hours.

 

I also remember being told to NEVER turn off the vents on the A/C and leave the compressor running even in winter to cut humidity. I would think that there might be some residual mold so as in any mold situation you need to get rid of it with the use of some sort of spray that you put in the intake. Leave all the vents open , I am told the opposite of what the other reply says , and that is to NEVER turn off the A/C when you leave the car. That keeps the vent system open with air. BUT in that climate it may vary as to how to handle it. Keep checking the forum for ideas and write a letter to Infiniti customer service..NOT THE DEALER. Good Luck. PS: Mold is probably a little dangerous if you are breathing it and I would use that "HEALTH ASPECT" card to pursue repair. Tell them it's cheaper to repair your problem than a Lawsuit and Medical Expenses that may occur from a fungal infection in your lungs.Molds and Mildew grow in Damp, Dark,Warmth. Leaving your system closed/off with no air circulating will be worse.Get th anti mildew/mold spray and follow directions...try leaving the windows open if you garage park your car. OR bring it here to Philly, Park it with all the windows open and wait till it's stolen...About an hour, and get a new one.
PS: I hope you didn't pay $50k for a pre-owned Infiniti.

 

I'll ask my husband to try the product recommended and cut off the A.C. early and see how it goes. Thanks much.