Changing Cabin Filter on Toyota RAV4, Echo, Scion xA and Scion xB

This guide will show you how to locate and replace the cabin air filter inside your Toyota RAV, Echo or Scion xA or xB

Category: Maintenance
Tags: cabin, toyotaRAV4, ScionxA, ScionxB

Added Feb 22, 07 by mr_shiftright

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Replacing the cabin filter on the Toyota Echo, RAV4, Scion XA and Scion XB

Where to Find the Filter:
Passenger side, behind the glove compartment

How To remove the old filter:
1. Open glove box and squeeze the sides to release the stops.

Dropping the Glove Box Down

2. By pushing in very hard on both sides of the glovebox you will release the little plastic knobs that hold each side, allowing the glove box to drop down out of the way. You may have to do this one side at a time.

3. Locate the white cabin filter housing tray(on top of the fan housing).

4. Remove the tray by pulling on the tabs on either side of the housing and then sliding the tray out.

Pull on tray tabs to release

5. Remove the old cabin filter from the housing. Remember which way the filter goes in!

6. Drop the new cabin filter in the tray, in the same direction as the old one, and slid the tray back in until the tabs snap shut.

7. Lift the glove box door and squeeze the sides until it snaps into place. If it doesn't seem to shut right, check to see that you haven't dislodged the pilot on the bottom of the door. This is easily corrected if you did.

NOTE: Some models/years did not have a filter installed at the factory. If yours is missing, you'll have to buy one at the dealer.

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Recent Comments (3 total):

tevery - Nov 14, 2009 3:31 pm

I have very similar problems with mice building nests on top of the cabin air filter. After spending money last year to have the dealer remove debris through the air intake area I am facing the same thing this year. The air intake opening (under the plastic cowl) for the cabin is clearly a flawed design but Toyota will not acknowledge or do anything about it. They just point you back to the dealer. That means you get to spend more money with them without a permanent resolution.

danwary - Sep 4, 2009 5:26 am

So far, we have spent $400 out of pocket at the dealer to remove dead mice. This does not include replacing the back seat where the mice chewed through the upolstery. Two local dealers claim that the mice problem is due to Toyota's design deficiency that cannot be fixed. You might think about Hanta virus, fleas, bubonic plague? Toyota central is clueless. Here is their response: "We are sorry to hear of your concerns with your RAV4 and the mice issue, and apologize this aspect of the vehicle did not meet your expectations. We do not show a Special Service Campaign or recall for the condition you described, and thus do not have specific insight to provide. If you feel you have a failed or broken component, we recommend contacting the Customer Relations Manager at your local Toyota dealership. We have documented your comments at our National Headquarters, where they remain available for review from the appropriate departments. It is through feedback such as yours we are able to monitor and improve upon the quality of our product. If we may be of further assistance, please contact us via email or by calling 800-331-4331. We are available from 5 AM to 6 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, and from 7 AM to 4 PM Saturday. We have documented your comments at our National Headquarters under file #0908136449. Robert Browning Toyota Customer Experience"

airforcemom1 - May 11, 2009 9:47 am

Hi, Thanks for posting this! I have a Rav4 and right after I bought it I went on tour and left it in the bosses garage. I didn't know it at the time but there were LOTS of mice in the garage. They decided that this filter was a great place to live. After I got back I took it in for service and they found the dead mice living in this filter. Well it was parked outside this time for 5 days and they found it again! My car smells like a dead body! I am going to try and take it apart without getting mice guts on everything but it is no longer under warranty so I have to clean it out myself. How do I keep the mice from getting in here when I have to leave it parked for long periods of time ?? Thanks much! Annie