# Exhaust smell when 2004 Toyota Highlander idles

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/exhaust-smell-when-2004-toyota-highlander-idles/158227>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** highlander, toyota\
**Created:** [February 10, 2020, 12:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/exhaust-smell-when-2004-toyota-highlander-idles/158227 "2020-02-10T00:23:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kirstin52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kirstin52](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Kirstin52)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2020, 12:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/exhaust-smell-when-2004-toyota-highlander-idles/158227/1 "2020-02-10T00:23:54Z")

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I have two 2004 Toyota highlanders. In both I smell exhaust when I idle. I bought both used at different times but pretty sure I noticed this from day 1 in both. Goes away as soon as I start driving but notice it again as soon as I put in park.

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**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/exhaust-smell-when-2004-toyota-highlander-idles/158227/2 "2020-02-10T00:50:45Z")

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You smell exhaust in both , maybe a good muffler shop can find a leak if there is one . That would be the first easy step .

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**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2020, 1:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/exhaust-smell-when-2004-toyota-highlander-idles/158227/3 "2020-02-10T01:42:23Z")

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There is exhaust leaking out the end of the tailpipe and depending on the direction of the wind you may smell the exhaust coming though the ventilation system.