Any time I use the windshield washer, I almost immediately get a very strong odor of washer fluid in the cabin. Has anyone had a similar situation? And ideas on a fix?

The odor has been increasing as of late, and with the snow season coming I'm going to be using the washers more often. I assume there is a leak somewhere in the line near a cabin air intake.

I did poke around under the hood to look for leaks, but with all the covers in the engine bay it's darn hard to trace the washer fluid line.

TIA

 

You may want to try using them with the windows up and re-circulation on and see if you get the same results. Now that it is a bit cooler down here in FL (so I am not running the AC on high all day) I do notice it a bit more predicated on the brand of washer fluid I use (prestone seems to have a stronger odor) but then again, if I run it thru a car wash I get that system's odor in the cabin too unless I have the re-circulation on.) The fresh air intake is near the windshield/firewall so you are probably just noticing it more that the cooler weather is upon us.

 

I've always noticed this on my 09. Make sure you "drain holes" below the windshield aren't clogged. That helps a little, but not much.