Cabin air re-circulation

If you want to replace the cabin air filter yourself then yes, you are looking in the wrong area. To replace the cabin filter use a weatherstrip tool and remove the panel inside the center console. It is secured with 4 hidden clips behind the radio. Remove the drivers side soundproof panel. There is 3 screws holding it. 2 Will be at the bottom. You will need to remove the accelerator pedal. There are 3 locking 10mm nuts holding the pedal so I would recommend you remove them by hand so that you do not damage the studs or cause the spot well to break from behind. Once you remove the pedal fold the carpet back and you will see the climate box housing door. Remove the 3 7mm screws to remove door. Pull cabin filter out and pay close attention to the arrows since you will need to install the new filter with the arrows pointing the same way for the airflow. Reverse procedure to reinstall. I would also recommend you get 3 new 10mm nuts that are not locking nuts. When you remove the nuts look at the center in the hole. You will notice the hole is oval shape so it comes out tight and will go in tight. Get some regular nuts to reinstall.

Here are diagrams to help you see where the air intake is

Heat exchanger
Evaporator
Fan motor
Damper motor module (DMM) air distribution
Damper motor module (DMM) temperature, right-hand
Damper motor module (DMM) temperature, left-hand
Damper motor module (DMM) recirculation
Damper motor module (DMM) defroster
Evaporator temperature sensor
Air cleaner (ACL) passenger compartment.

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers