[choochoo]

Our 2009 Sienna LE passenger side and driver side carpet are both soaked - with the passenger side wetter.

This has happened twice already - San Francisco bay area gets rain mostly in winter months.
The first time, I thought it must have been my fault: not closing the window.
But this time, I am pretty sure it is not the window.

-The leak is water, no sweet smell etc. The heater is working.
-We hardly used A/C, heater. Checked A/C drainage pipe from below, it was not blocked.
-There is no moonroof
-Windshield is factory (it is a 2009 model after all)

Is this kind of problem covered by warranty?

===========
For the convenience of search, here are threads I have found regarding wet carpet issue:
* Water leaking into passenger side => http://siennachat.com/forum/index.php/topic,301.0.html
* Front carpet wet => http://siennachat.com/forum/index.php/topic,1247.0.html
* Sienna Front water leak => http://siennachat.com/forum/index.php/topic,761.0.html

 

[Family Buggy]

Assuming the vehicle has not been wrecked...then yes, warranty should cover it.

 

[happycamper]

Dumb question, but is the vehicle parked outside near an irrigation system? I rented a car once and found a bunch of water in the rear passenger foot area. It turns out the the hotel's irrigation system turns on at night, and the sprinkler had the correct angle to get water past the door seal.

 

[choochoo]

Thanks Family Buggy/Happy Camper!

The vehicle was parked outside but not near an irrigation system or something like that.
As for whether my fun-loving sons used it as a 'Sienna submarine' to sail in San Francisco bay,
I do not know yet. Maybe I should investigate.

Well, since Toyota did not say specifically I should drive the car indoors (in their manual),
I do not know what I did wrong.

 

[2006SiennaLE]

I live in the Bay Area too but my vehicles are always garaged. Either way, I don't think they'd ever get that wet inside.

I would take it to a dealership for sure if it happens again.

 

[choochoo]

Problem solved!

It rained again and there was leak again.
So I took the vehicle to a Toyota dealership.

Here is what they found:

"... ONLY PASS FRONT FRONT CARPET WET, REMOVED GLOVE BOX, RT A PILLAR MOLDING, PASSENGER FRONT SEAT, WATER TESTED CAR, FOUND WATER LEAKING FROM ANTENNA GROMMET WHICH WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, REINSTYALLED GROMMET, WATER TESTED AGAIN, STILL HAS SLIGHT LEAK, SEALED GROMMET WITH SEALER & REWATER CHECKED. OK NOW. VACUMNED WATER FROM CARPET & SPREAYED CARPET WITH LYSOL. REINSTALLED ALL PARTS REMOVED."

oh Toyota, tOyota, toYota ...

 

[topspy]

YAY!! ;D ;D ;D

Lysol.....hahahahahaha. I'd probably spray some more on my own too.

If you have access to a garage, I would also run a small fan (feed the electrical cord in through an open window) to blow on the carpet overnight to help dry/air out the wet carpet. "Lift it up" too, if possible. PERFECT place for mold/mildew to grow. :'(

YMMV.
Good Luck!! 8)

 

[janjenny83]

That would all depend on the condition. Go to the dealer and tell the problem. Anyway, it still covers up to the warranty of the product. But if you want to do it yourself, you can be guided by the eHow site. You just have to look for its site and be patient to find the solution for it.

 

[ipresumed]

Check the bottom of your cargo area or front driver/passenger side, esp. after lots of rain if you have a 2011 Sienna van. We have an SE model. After a few consecutive downpours this past month - 3 days of pouring rain, I went to get the stroller out of the trunk. I noticed a few light large spots at the bottom of the rear cargo area. I put my hand down and noticed the area was wet. Strange because we don't store liquids in the back. I told my husband and he checked it out. Turns out the entire trunk/cargo area was soaking wet...right down through the padding underneath the carpet. It took 2-3 entire large paper towel rolls just to barely get the puddles under control and airing out the back. Luckily it was sunny for two days after we discovered the issue. The van started to stink from the mold forming ,and we were panicking since we have kids with allergy and asthma. Mold alert. The metal underneath the carpet padding had started to rust a bit. We just bought the car back in August of 2011. Took the car back to the dealer service center. First diagnosis, they called us next day and told us it would be $1290 because it was our fault one of the back windows latch was not sealed closed. Funny because we didn't even know we had back window latches and even when the service person in charge did a walkabout, no one noticed the window open. Ironic that nothing else was wet too from the top down. Not the back seats, not the strollers and kids knicknacks lying on top of the cargo area. So it's our word against theirs. I asked him if he was absolutely sure. If they had checked out all other posibilities and tested other possible entry points. He said that they were Toyota trained specialists and they were 100% sure. I'd read on some posts that after a few times of the same thing happening to another individual, they finally called in Toyota engineers to come look at it. I asked my service guy if they could do that and again, "ma'am, we ARE the factory trained technicians." After deliberating with my husband, we felt we had no choice but to have whatever needed done to fix the propblem properly to be covered under the warranty. Especially since we have one car and our kids are physically sensitive. After we gave them the go ahead, they were finally able to open up the mess (so before, it was just their best "guess" as to how the water had gotten in. They need our "okay" for the charge to actually open up the car). They tested the back and said it was water tight. Then they asked me if we parked on an incline. We do. About a 30 degree incline tops. Found out the water was actually coming in the through underneath the windshield "gutters" into a channel alongside the sides of the inner frame and flowing back to the cargo area. So guess what, we are covered under warranty. This is the kicker though, service person mentioned that yes, the water leaking in was probably happening for the lifetime of the car. He even told me that there was another same Sienna 2011 that had come in with the SAME issue. It is a design flaw/defect. So how do you fix that? NOW they are bringing the actual factory Toyota guys who will look over the repairs. Someone wrote on this board that they had just drilled holes underneath the car so the water could escape and not reach the back. I DON'T want holes drilled into my new car. And that person still had even worse water leak issues. Have been trying to find out if Toyota will in the least extend my warranty or do something about this car we just bought with a defect built into it. So, if you have a Toyota Sienna 2011 SE, have it tested. It's been two weeks since they've been "holding" our car. Said they are waiting for parts and are waiting for the Toyota factory guys to come oversee this repair. Wondering with the big recalls they have now if they are keeping this under wraps or if people are still unaware of the defect unless they parked like us on incline. I've read various posts where the 2011 Sienna leaked in the front driver and passenger areas which is worse because of the electronics and wiring. I am very concerned the problem will come back after reading some other posts on the web. Toyota has to do something for all of us who have just purchased new vehicles in good faith.

 

[Dwilson]

I have a 06 sienna every time it rains it soaks into the driver side by the pedals, I have taken to the dealership the said it was a matter of reselling a seam, ok paid to have that done don't know why when not my fault the seam came undone, rained, again soaked same spot took it in they now say window wasn't sealed right ok got new window and sealed, rained again soaked my carpet, come on now what could it be. The guy who did my window said two weeks later he had another person with same make and model same problem and it's not fixed either. Any one can help would be great.

 

[Robert13]

I've got two problems with leaks in my 2011 Sienna. A few months ago my sons said water was pouring out of the slot where the front passenger seat belt enters the pillar, just behind the passenger seat. I stopped and looked. Boy were they right. It hasn't happened since. Now I've got water dripping on the front driver's side pillar between the windshield and the front door. It drips right where the plastic molding ends. There was a large puddle of ice on the floor. It doesn't seem to have occurred again, but then again, it hasn't rained or snowed since. I checked the drainage tubes from the sunroofs and they are clear, so I've no idea where the water was coming from.

 

[tonyblu]

I have a Sienna 2001.
I've had the wet floor carpets for almost 2 years.
I have checked and rechecked all the doors rubber seals (weather stripping). There isn't a no sunroof.
I almost yanked out all the side plastic boards.
I just found the source of the leak last Sunday.
The REAR LIGHT (red) above the rear windshield had faulty rubber seals. The seals soaks water and allows water to drip into the inner boot lining. The water this seeps through the boot panel and flows under the carpet in the boot. With heavy rainfall/water it soaks the underlay and gets up the driver and front passenger foot-well.
I couldnt get a repalcement seal on a Sunday, I had to create a "gasket" replacement froma rubber carpet for the light assembly and ensured I screwed it on tight.
I yanked out the upper (inner) plastic of the boot door and the dripping I noticed earlier stopped when I poured water on the light assembly.
I hope this helps.

 

[jc]

I have a Sienna 2001.
I've had the wet floor carpets for almost 2 years.
I have checked and rechecked all the doors rubber seals (weather stripping). There isn't a no sunroof.
I almost yanked out all the side plastic boards.
I just found the source of the leak last Sunday.
The REAR LIGHT (red) above the rear windshield had faulty rubber seals. The seals soaks water and allows water to drip into the inner boot lining. The water this seeps through the boot panel and flows under the carpet in the boot. With heavy rainfall/water it soaks the underlay and gets up the driver and front passenger foot-well.
I couldnt get a repalcement seal on a Sunday, I had to create a "gasket" replacement froma rubber carpet for the light assembly and ensured I screwed it on tight.
I yanked out the upper (inner) plastic of the boot door and the dripping I noticed earlier stopped when I poured water on the light assembly.
I hope this helps. View attachment 5538

Glad to hear that you found the leak.

 

[mike121]

Our 2009 Sienna LE passenger side and driver side carpet are both soaked - with the passenger side wetter.

This has happened twice already - San Francisco bay area gets rain mostly in winter months.
The first time, I thought it must have been my fault: not closing the window.
But this time, I am pretty sure it is not the window.

-The leak is water, no sweet smell etc. The heater is working.
-We hardly used A/C, heater. Checked A/C drainage pipe from below, it was not blocked.
-There is no moonroof
-Windshield is factory (it is a 2009 model after all)

Is this kind of problem covered by warranty?

===========
For the convenience of search, here are threads I have found regarding wet carpet issue:

* Water leaking into passenger side => http://siennachat.com/forum/index.php/topic,301.0.html
* Front carpet wet => http://optionspluscarpetcleaning.ca/home/carpet-cleaning-kamloops/
* Sienna Front water leak => http://siennachat.com/forum/index.php/topic,761.0.html

Hello,

Thanks for sharing the post.
May I know which type of carpet cleaning products are good??

 

[Jason Blyth]

Hi all, some good insights and comments here. I had what ended up being front AC drain hose issue that wet the carpet up front. After some back and forth with the dealer I paid them to fix it. Just this weekend a kiddo spilt water up front again. So I took the opportunity to film what’s under the carpet and add some hopefully useful comments on my experience in the following video. Hope it helps someone.
https://youtu.be/aqKiVMYYeAY
Cheers!

 

[RocketSurgeon]

Hey everybody, I'm new to Toyota, but I've been working on German cars for quite a few years. Considering our 2011 Sienna has been extremely reliable, I was surprised when water began to get inside during heavy rain. It started with water around the front sunroof and front visors during a nasty thunderstorm. I extensively tested the sunroof drains and found no issues. Next the seatbelts would get wet during heavy rain, and again the source of water was not apparent. I knew SOMETHING above the headliner was leaking, but didn't want to remove the headliner and all of the pillars to find it. Eventually water was pouring into the back luggage compartment, and I had to tear into it. Upon removing some trim from the back and looking with a flashlight, I could see the shark fin antenna was dripping water inside the headliner. I also became suspicious of the roof rack, since the mounts are very similar. I gently pulled the headliner down near the B-pillar, and looked above to find that the roof-rack mounts were indeed leaking.

HERE'S THE FIX!
It takes about 2 hours and requires fairly basic tools. This should apply to all 3rd Generation (2010+) and possibly older models too. The seals on the roof rack and shark fin antenna are woefully inadequate.
1. Gently remove the covers at the front and back of each roof rail. A plastic trim tool works great, just start at the rounded end and pry up as you work your way around the cover and remove it. Under each of the 4 covers you will find 2 T-30 torx bolts, remove the bolts, and pull the roof rack off the car.
2. Clean EVERYTHING. I used Lysol wipes to remove the gunk, and isopropyl alcohol to prep for silicone sealant.
3. Apply silicone sealant around each of the 3 holes for each corner of the roof rack. I used Permatex Ultra Grey and applied it generously.
4. Reinstall the roof rack, and give sealant some time to dry.

Now for the shark fin antenna!
1. Open the rear hatch, and remove the top center trim piece at the rear of the roof. Be mindful of the wires as you pull down, it is only attached with plastic push-connectors, so it pops right off. A trim tool is recommended.
2. Remove the seat belts from the rear pillars. Just lift the cover and remove one 14mm bolt.
3. Gently pull the pillar loose at the top to give clearance to the headliner.
4. Gently pull down at thew rear of the headliner, and you will see that the shark fin antenna is above a black plastic HVAC duct. Pop loose a few of the trim connectors holding it to the roof to give yourself room to reach the shark fin connector.
5. Using a 22mm wrench (or adjustable), loosen the collar on the shark fin, and wiggle it free from the top of the car.
6. Clean and silicone the shark fin, remount it to the car, and reverse disassembly instructions.

 

[00Yoda]

My 2000 has leaked intermittently for a few years. It just returned. Passenger front carpet. Right now our dehumidifier is cranking away on the front seat plus a fan under the sopping pad. So guess maybe the roof rack for starters. thanks for details. 06.26.2020

 

[jmiller3nd]

Hey everybody, I'm new to Toyota, but I've been working on German cars for quite a few years. Considering our 2011 Sienna has been extremely reliable, I was surprised when water began to get inside during heavy rain. It started with water around the front sunroof and front visors during a nasty thunderstorm. I extensively tested the sunroof drains and found no issues. Next the seatbelts would get wet during heavy rain, and again the source of water was not apparent. I knew SOMETHING above the headliner was leaking, but didn't want to remove the headliner and all of the pillars to find it. Eventually water was pouring into the back luggage compartment, and I had to tear into it. Upon removing some trim from the back and looking with a flashlight, I could see the shark fin antenna was dripping water inside the headliner. I also became suspicious of the roof rack, since the mounts are very similar. I gently pulled the headliner down near the B-pillar, and looked above to find that the roof-rack mounts were indeed leaking.

HERE'S THE FIX!
It takes about 2 hours and requires fairly basic tools. This should apply to all 3rd Generation (2010+) and possibly older models too. The seals on the roof rack and shark fin antenna are woefully inadequate.
1. Gently remove the covers at the front and back of each roof rail. A plastic trim tool works great, just start at the rounded end and pry up as you work your way around the cover and remove it. Under each of the 4 covers you will find 2 T-30 torx bolts, remove the bolts, and pull the roof rack off the car.
2. Clean EVERYTHING. I used Lysol wipes to remove the gunk, and isopropyl alcohol to prep for silicone sealant.
3. Apply silicone sealant around each of the 3 holes for each corner of the roof rack. I used Permatex Ultra Grey and applied it generously.
4. Reinstall the roof rack, and give sealant some time to dry.

Now for the shark fin antenna!
1. Open the rear hatch, and remove the top center trim piece at the rear of the roof. Be mindful of the wires as you pull down, it is only attached with plastic push-connectors, so it pops right off. A trim tool is recommended.
2. Remove the seat belts from the rear pillars. Just lift the cover and remove one 14mm bolt.
3. Gently pull the pillar loose at the top to give clearance to the headliner.
4. Gently pull down at thew rear of the headliner, and you will see that the shark fin antenna is above a black plastic HVAC duct. Pop loose a few of the trim connectors holding it to the roof to give yourself room to reach the shark fin connector.
5. Using a 22mm wrench (or adjustable), loosen the collar on the shark fin, and wiggle it free from the top of the car.
6. Clean and silicone the shark fin, remount it to the car, and reverse disassembly instructions.

Thank you Rocket, this appears to be the partial fix for my 2011 Sienna Limited. I had the same leak streaming down the pillar and coming out along the seatbelt. We will see how it sticks. I'm still having a wet driver side carpet, looked at everyone's suggestions and checked the ac lines - nothing there (and the passenger carpet is bone dry). It might just need a few dry days to dry though (I'm north of Seattle and its winter).

Though once I resealed the rack, I noticed another leak through the sunroof. Looks like either a frame flaw or a sealant failure. I took the DIY approach and applied RTV silicone as opposed to the OEM sealant on the moonroof. Picture shows where the water is (hopefully was) coming in.

 

[PietroJaye]

(I have also posted this elsewhere)

I got a 2009 Sienna - 85k miles - a couple of months ago, and recently noticed I was taking on water in the rear. Took a hose to it, starting at bottom of liftgate and working my way up, opening the liftgate to check every few inches. When I got the hose to the top of the liftgate, and before I reached the roof rack pillars, I started getting water inside. Quickly noticed that it started at the top rear just inside the liftgate.

The source appeared to be the larger of the two electrical "raceway" grommets at the top of car, between the liftgate hinges. The seal was just terrible where the grommet met the body of the Sienna.

Took some Gardner-Bender Duct Seal and applied it around that grommet, and the other smaller one also, to be safe.

I just happened to have some Duct Seal around. This is exactly what electricians use all the time to seal things like the service cable entrance on top of electrical meters outside, even though some small print on their product sheet says it's not for outdoor use. G-B is probably just protecting themselves from lawsuits, because the stuff just works real well for that. It's soft and pliable, kinda like Play-Doh, but it never dries out.

So far it's working for me. Just happens to be raining now, but when it's dry outside I'll probably apply this stuff to the top grommets (on the liftgate itself) as well.

NOTE: the area should be wiped dry and free of dirt or dust when you apply it. It doesn't stick well when the surfaces are wet. In case you're curious, as I've got it applied, the liftgate doesn't touch it at all when it closes.

BTW have now put a couple thousand miles on my Sienna and I love love love to drive the van. I have had prior experience driving these, so I'm not surprised. When I don't need the cargo space, though, I typically drive my "old" 03-04 2.4L Camrys, coz they get better mileage - no surprise there either. Hope I don't have any further water leaks.

You can get Duct Seal easily at big-box hardware stores or electrical supply stores. And it's really cheap. Comes in 1 lb. bricks for about 3 bucks.

Disclaimer: I don't work for them or have any other financial interest in the product. And as usual, your mileage may vary.