The Toyota Camry HVAC System class action centers on complaints from California owners and lessees of certain 2012–2015 Camry XV50 vehicles who say the air-conditioning system can trap moisture, creating persistent “musty” odors and raising concerns about mold. In automotive HVAC systems, condensation is normal, but it’s supposed to drain and dry out; when moisture lingers in places like the evaporator housing, it can feed odor-causing bacteria and, in some cases, mold. Plaintiffs argued the issue showed up repeatedly enough to look like a design or materials problem rather than routine maintenance, while Toyota denied wrongdoing but agreed to resolve the dispute through a settlement. The lawsuit was filed to seek reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs owners say they incurred trying to fix or manage the odor problem—things like dealer visits, evaporator cleanings, and charcoal/cabin filter replacement—and to push Toyota to provide a standardized remedy without each driver having to fight individually. Under the settlement, eligible class members (generally California purchasers/lessees before May 31, 2024, with proof such as receipts and service records) can submit claims by set deadlines, with some post–May 31, 2024 expenses capped (notably $100 for a charcoal filter), and attorneys’ fees and costs are carved out separately; the overall fund is estimated in the $9–$12 million range based on the fee request. Cases like this fit a broader pattern in the auto industry where “comfort” defects—odors, water intrusion, condensation, or interior air-quality complaints—lead to class actions because the harm is widespread but individually modest, and they intersect with consumer-protection and warranty principles, federal and California emissions rules that drive HVAC design choices (including refrigerant standards and efficiency pressures), and manufacturer obligations to disclose known issues and honor warranty/repair representations when a defect is alleged to be systemic rather than wear-and-tear.