Eek! Why Is My Car Leaking?-

October 11, 2023

After a rainy day, you expect the outside of the car to be wet but not the inside! If you're noticing your Nissan is leaking, its important to find the source so you can fix it and help keep your interior protected from water stains and mold.

What Causes Water to Leak Inside a Car?

Your doors were closed and the windows rolled up during the last rainfall, so how did all that water make its way inside your car? Worn, clogged, and damaged parts can give water the perfect access point to your vehicle. Here are a few ways water can leak into a car.

Damaged Weatherstripping on Windows or Windshield

All car windows are surrounded by a rubber seal, including the windshield. This seal is called weatherstripping, and it runs along the inside of the window frame.

The weatherstripping rubber can change shape, become brittle, or show signs of cracking due to weather and wear. Once the weatherstripping seal is compromised, water may leak through and enter your cars interior. Luckily, weatherstripping is generally affordable and easy to replace.

Worn Car Door Seals

Just like windows have a rubber seal, so do the car doors. But frequent dirt and debris collected over time or incidental tears can damage the rubber seal that runs along the edges. If you notice water entering the car between the door frame and the car floor, this seal may need to be replaced.

Worn Door Membrane

Some water will naturally get inside the door even if the rubber seal is in good condition. Car designers expect a low amount of moisture inside, so they include the door membrane that separates the inside of the door from the car interior.

However, if the door membrane is ruptured or too much water accumulates inside the door, water can leak into the car.

Clogged Rainwater Drains

Most cars have numerous rainwater drain tubes located throughout the body to help guide water away from the cabin. Below are some of the drains that might lead to a leak if they become clogged with debris.

Air Conditioning Drain

When you turn on the AC, you may notice that the car leaks some water underneath the vehicle. That's completely normal. The air conditioning unit dehumidifies the car interior and drains the water through dedicated tubes. However, if a drain tube is clogged, water can build up and leak into your cars passenger side.

Sunroof Drains

Vehicles with moveable sunroofs also feature a water collection tray around the glass. This tray usually has four drains, one for each corner, that help carry rainwater from the tray, down the body pillars, and onto the ground outside the car.

If the sunroof drains get clogged with debris, the rainwater has nowhere to go and can leak into your vehicle. Symptoms of clogged sunroof drains include water at the passenger or drivers side and water leaking through the A-pillars.

Windshield Drain

Notice how you usually don't have water pooling along your windshield, even during heavy downpours? The windshield has drains underneath the wipers that help guide water through dedicated channels that empty beneath the car. If the drain holes are clogged, the water may leak into your interior through the air vent below the windshield.

Car Door Drain

There are also drains located at the bottom of your doors, usually behind the weatherstripping. These drain holes are designed to let the water pass on the ground outside if too much enters through the window seals. Water getting inside car doors can be a real nuisance and may happen if the drains are clogged.

How To Stop a Water Leak In a Car

The drain holes, channels, and tubes in your vehicle can get clogged by dirt, debris, leaves, pine needles, and other foreign bodies. Cleaning them occasionally is necessary to provide the water with a clear path out of your Nissan. Apart from cleaning all the drains, it's a good idea to ensure the rubber seals around the doors and windows are in good condition. Replace worn rubber seals promptly to help avoid water damaging your Nissan or causing mold to grow inside the car.

Help Stop Water Leaks with Nissan Parts & Accessories

Turn to Nissan Parts & Accessories for OEM auto parts like weatherstripping that seamlessly fit your Nissan windows and doors. Check out our complete Body, Interior and Trim parts selection to find the replacement components you need to help keep water where it belongs ‐ outside of your car!