The Lemon IndexWater on the floor or headliner usually comes from a clogged drain or a failed seal.
Get it checked. Fine to drive. Get it fixed soon: water causes mold and electrical faults.
Clogged sunroof drain tubes. Then: a clogged AC drain (wet front floor); worn door or window seals.
Owners describe this in 3,047 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Ford Explorer.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 Ford Taurus | 50 | 4% |
| 2008 GMC Acadia | 44 | 5% |
| 2013 Ford Explorer | 36 | 2% |
| 2002 Ford Taurus | 27 | 2% |
| 2008 Buick Enclave | 27 | 5% |
| 2017 Volkswagen Golf | 25 | 9% |
| 2007 GMC Acadia | 23 | 5% |
| 2016 Ford Explorer | 23 | 0.9% |
| 2019 Ram pickup | 22 | 1% |
| 2015 Ford Explorer | 21 | 1% |
| 2014 Ford Explorer | 20 | 1% |
| 2005 Ford Mustang | 19 | 2% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2017 Volkswagen Golf · 9% 2016 Volvo XC90 · 7% 2016 Volkswagen Golf · 6% 2008 Honda Fit · 6% 2007 GMC Acadia · 5% 2008 GMC Acadia · 5% 2008 Buick Enclave · 5% 2009 Jeep Patriot · 4%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of water leaking inside car
- Clogged sunroof drain tubes
- A clogged AC drain (wet front floor)
- Worn door or window seals
- A clogged cowl drain under the windshield
- Rust holes in the floor or body
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive with water leaking inside the car?
Get it checked. Fine to drive. Get it fixed soon: water causes mold and electrical faults.
Get help right away if electrical problems start after rain.
Of the 3,047 complaints describing it, 0.6% mention a crash, 1.0% say the car was towed, 1% mention a fire and 2% report an injury.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: structure (46%), electrical system (23%), visibility (18%), engine (7%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 56,000 miles.
Most reports by make: Ford (608), Jeep (248), Chevrolet (238), Volkswagen (195), Toyota (184).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (doors, locks & windows repairs): the middle half ran $181 to $2,500, typical $700, from 10 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Related symptoms
Mold or musty smell in car Exhaust smell inside car AC blowing warm air Car heater not working Sunroof shattered Fuel gauge not working
Quick answers
What causes water leaking inside car?
Water on the floor or headliner usually comes from a clogged drain or a failed seal. Common causes: clogged sunroof drain tubes; a clogged AC drain (wet front floor); worn door or window seals; a clogged cowl drain under the windshield; rust holes in the floor or body.
Is it safe to drive with water leaking inside the car?
Get it checked. Fine to drive. Get it fixed soon: water causes mold and electrical faults.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Ford Explorer, Ford Taurus and Ford F-Series. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 10 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $181 to $2,500. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup