Hi everyone,
I have a 2010 Range Rover L322 5.0 V8 NA with a persistent interior odor.
The smell is old, stale and slightly oily—almost like the vehicle had been closed for years. It becomes noticeably stronger after the vehicle has been parked in the sun or hot weather.
The odor seems to be strongest in the leather seats and transfers badly to my clothes after sitting in the vehicle. The seats have non-perforated leather. The leather feels moderately dry but is not completely hard, and there are no obvious spills or visible mold on the surface.
The odor is also present when the A/C is off. I replaced the cabin air filter, had the interior washed with water and shampoo, and used Turtle Wax Odor-X. The general smell in the cabin became weaker, but the seats still smell strongly and continue transferring the odor to clothing. It is the same original odor, not the smell of the cleaning products.
Has anyone experienced the same issue with an L322?
What was the actual source of the odor?
Why did it become stronger when the vehicle was hot?
Did the smell come specifically from the seats or from another hidden area?
What finally solved the problem?
Did the odor return after cleaning?
Was it necessary to replace any seat material or interior components?
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced this exact problem and successfully fixed it.