2009Toyota RAV4 Significant water leak into front passenger side when heavy rain
What is your question?
2009 Toyota RAV4 - Significant water leak into front passenger side when rains heavily (does not happen in a light rain) or snow piles on car and melts, as if water is pooling and spilling over, not draining. Appears to run in and down the engine/cabin wall. Padding that is behind dash gets soaked. Can visibly see dripping and trace the tracks of water from behind dash onto floor. AC line is checked and open. Drain areas are cleared of debris and appear to be draining properly. Not heater core issue. Windshield is sealed. Drain plugs replaced. A tray-type piece under cowl (passenger side)was floating freely and I could not determine its purpose or exactly where it is to be placed. Local Body shop attempted to locate leak, guessed at securing where the "tray" should be placed but did not fix the problem. Is it possible the entire cowl needs replaced? Apparently previous owner had an issue in 2018 and the location of leak was not found or repaired by Toyota dealership.
What makes this problem better or worse?
Heavy rain, heavy snow melting
How long has your 2009 Toyota RAV4 had this problem?
Since purchase in Feb 2024, unaware there was an issue until my carpet was soaked after rain and then I found previous owner repair request paperwork in storage area.
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Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team!
Mystery leaks are real drip! I love how thorough you are in your diagnosis of this wickedly worrisome water leak. I agree that you're going to have to remove the cowl to get to the bottom of this. I know you said "drains are clear" but if the RAV has a sunroof it could be an occluded drain or a drain hose that runs down the a-pillar has become disconnected.
If it is not that and it is under the cowl it could be a body seam issue meaning that when the RAV was being born they didn't weld a seam properly. That's not a hard fix but it could be a lot of labor to pinpoint the area that's allowing water into the cabin! You'll need someone who's determined to get to the bottom of this and you might have to throw dough at the issue until it's resolved! You don't want mold in your ride...
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