In a hugely popular video that has gathered over 1.2 million views, content creator Sheila (@foodiegobody) deviated from her usual food content and complained about what is happening with her 2021 Toyota RAV4, writes motor1.com.
The video shows her getting out of the driver’s seat, walking to the rear passenger door, opening it, and pulling out the lower trim strip. Water instantly starts pouring out of the door, and it’s not just a few drops – enough to fill several buckets.
“Toyota, you have 24 hours to respond!” reads the text on the video.
In the video description, Sheila explained that she drives a 2021 RAV4, which she bought brand new, but when it rains, water accumulates in the rear passenger side door.
“I have to drain it… this is crazy!” she added.
How does water get into the doors?
A small amount of water in car doors is normal. Window and door seals are not completely waterproof, so when it rains or the car is washed, some water can get inside the doors.
Cars.com explains that it should drain out through small holes at the bottom of the doors.
The problem only arises when the water that gets in cannot drain out.
According to SlashGear, many car doors have wet and dry sides separated by a vapor barrier.
The wet side directs water toward drainage holes. The dry side protects the interior trim and parts such as speakers, window motor regulators, wiring, switches, and sensors.
Over time, these small drainage holes can become clogged with dirt, road debris, or rust.
Even improperly performed rust protection procedures can accidentally cover them.
The problem is that when water accumulates near the steel car doors, it can cause corrosion and rust. Additionally, water reaching the interior can dampen the carpet enough to cause mold growth.
How to drain water from car doors
Cleaning clogged drainage is usually quite simple. Most of the time, you don’t need to disassemble the entire door. Here’s what SlashGear recommends:
Find the drainage holes.
Open the door and look along the bottom edge for small holes or rubber plugs. The exact number and location depend on the vehicle. If you need to look from underneath, wear protective goggles.
Clear the opening.
Carefully insert a wooden skewer or another narrow wooden tool into the hole to break up debris. Metal tools can scratch the paint and provide additional places for rust to form.
Let the water drain out.
Once the blockage is removed, trapped water should start to flow out. Use compressed air or a gently directed water stream to flush out any residue. If the hole has a rubber plug, replace it after draining the water. Check other holes.
If water continues to accumulate in the doors after cleaning all holes, check for damaged window and door seals.
This should not become a weekly procedure. At home, Cars.com recommends checking drains once per quarter or once a year, depending on the climate.
This is normal, people just don’t like reading instructions
Some commenters shared helpful tips, while others just joked.
“As a Toyota service advisor, I say: this is normal, and people don’t like reading instructions.
It’s impossible to ensure 100% sealing between the sunroof drainage and car windows because water has to drain somewhere.
If you have a sunroof, you should clean the upper drains every 6–12 months to prevent clogging and water entering the vehicle,” reads the most popular comment.
“God forbid, your car needed to drain liquid too,” joked another user.
“It’s okay, girl, I also didn’t read my car’s 500-page manual, with font size -2.5,” wrote a third.
“Hooray! Your Toyota has drained water! Maybe a new small RAV4 will be born soon!” joked yet another commenter.
