I have a water leak in the rear passenger of my Explorer that drains into my spare tire well. Anyone else have this problem?

Yes! It comes down through the rear seatbelt. This is a known issue with these vehicles that Ford will not acknowledge. Based on what I found online, its a welding issue near the shocks for the lift gate.

I contacted NHST . If mold is unknowing growing in the headliner, under the carpet or behind body panels you might not know. Breathing mold spores is unhealthy. Ford needs to step up.

Took 2012 to dealership for water leak. Technician found 3 weld joints that were leaking. 2 points on the passenger side and one on the driver side. Dealer says it isn’t a big problem with ford vehicles. Wonder how many never report on line.

Yes problem for sure & not sure what to do to fix it

Yes, I have this problem too. Makes me consider my next SUV purchase.

I also have this problem. Mold is making me sick.

Yes, 2020 Ford Explorer ST bought 3 days ago with spare tire well all filled up with water. This is a $60k SUV that is only 3 day old. I just brought this vehicle from a dealer lot. Seriously concern. This should be part of the lemon law.

My daughters 2012 Explorer had abou t 2 Gal. of water in the Spare Tire Compartment.....

My 2015 passenger front and passenger rear rugs are constantly damp or soaked. Haven't checked spare tire well yet. Dealership wanted to call "the leak specialist" and charge me just for him showing. After reading these I'm getting really pissed

2013 Ford Explorer XLT with the same issue. The moisture/water is leaking thru the 3rd row seat belt, on driver side, dripping down from the roof and depositing on the top of the carpet and underside padding of the rear spare tire. It makes a sour smell.

Having a similar issue and Ford dealership defers to the 'leak specialist' who only comes one day a week which is never the same day. Tough getting on his schedule when he makes up the days available. Surprised to see so many people with the same issue.

Same problem with our 2014 ford explorer, water in spare tire area . Seems to be an issue with Ford that they should take care of

Yes and I’m sick and tired of every time it rains heavy I have to pay some one to get the water out of my 2013 Ford Explorer tire capacity

I have the same exact issue. Mainly comes down the 3rd row seat belts. I have tried using sealer on some areas that look like weld cracks but it hasn't fixed a thing. This along with multiple other issues this Ford Explorer has had seals the deal for me. No more Fords. We quit Chrysler after a POS Caravan. This will end a Ford era for us. Meanwhile we have put tons of miles on several Acura MDXs without a single issue. I will stick with Acuras going forward.

Same happened to me on my 2013. Water would por in at third row seatbelt and collect in tire well. I caulked two spots as shown in picture. I saw metal cracking at hinge and a crack along the top right seam. No leaks since I caulked.

Thx CVSJM. What did you use to caulk the cracked metal to fix leaks??

I believe it was this...https://www.sherwin- williams.com/homeowners/products/shermax- urethanized-elastomeric-sealant Hopefully you see where I caulked (white) in the picture of my car. I caulked about 8 months ago and it is holding up very well. I can send additional photos if you need me to.

Thank you very much, GuruCSVJM. Yes, I will get that product, and would be grateful if you could send an additional photo or two. Also, did you just clean the area, and apply the caulk by hand? Thank you. TN - Craig

Had my 2014 Explorer XLT for 6 weeks and just noticed this issue in heavy rain. Not taken it back to dealer yet as most are useless but in my initial investigations today I found that the rubber seal at the top of the tailgate is only held in two places (not a good protector) but that there are quite a few micro cracks around the two tailgate hinges. I got a generic 90 day warranty which I will try and use to get my dealer to repair, but I suspect they will fix the rubber seal, not the cracks (I find dealers are getting less and less thorough these days). The only other places I can think water could get in are around the sunroof (but I doubt it as the water would come straight into the cabin) or under the roof rails. But, as I have found definite cracks, I will fix them (via the dealer or with caulk if they do nothing) to see if that fixes it. If anyone else has this problem, I’d check for cracks around the tailgate hinges (you need the tailgate open to see them). I’ll take a photo tomorrow and post.

Phot of the hinge here

And the other one

I have a 2016 Ford Explorer. Just started smelling musty smell. Found it wet underneath floor mats behind passenger seat. There has been no spills but it has been raining and I live in Wa. Dealer said they don’t cover water issues. What do I do?

Yes, I have this issue with my 2012 Explorer. My car was starting to smell musty. I bought a few odor absorbers and DampRid. I noticed a few spots of rust in the trunk area. My back wheel well was filled with water. My husband he found where it was leaking from (the roof rack) and thought he had fixed it as there was no leaking afterwards. It’s been about 18 months since he fixed it and the leak is back. Will take it to an auto body shop this week. Ford needs to step up and issue a recall to repair.

I have paid close to $2000 to have this leak fixed in my 2011 Explorer, and it still leaks. Does anyone know if Ford is acknowledging this problem.

I’m having the same issue 2015 Explorer Sport with water leaking in the back hatch. I tweeted @Fordmotorcompany to let them know about the issue. I think if everyone takes a second to do the same they will realize they need to fix this.

In Oct 2020, I purchased a 2013 Ford Explorer and had no issues until we just started getting heavy rains in Louisiana. Thank God Monday on my way to work I had a tire issue and the guy who came to fix my tire found water in the spare tire well. I called Ford and got a Case # but she said they haven't had any complaints about it and no recalls. Said I should take it to the Body Shop and the dealership and have it looked at but you know what that means...MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET!!! I think we should find someone and start a Class Action Law Suit and make them do a RECALL and fix their mess. My late father used to say he would never buy a Ford car because Ford stands for Fix Or Repair Daily!!!!

Had a water leak in my 14 explorer , spare tire well filled up with water , carpets from the font to the back were soaked , Insurance company totaled our car, went and looked at a 16 explorer pulled the carpet up behind the front seats and their was water, we bought a GMC from the dealer , dealer did not know about the water. No explorers for me ever unless it’s a 93-99 with the 4.0 ohv for the 5.0 or 4.6

I have a 2012 Ford Explorer and I'm having the same issue as everyone else. Ford knows this is a problem but they wont' do anything about it, probably since it's not an immediate safety issue. That doesn't matter when people have spent their time and money on their design and manufacturing flaws. If you look online there are thousands of people with the same issue and most body shops and dealearships won't touch it since the repairs may not work.

I have a 2012 Ford Explorer and just bought a cargo liner and it keeps filling up with water. There is standing water around the spare tire too. Ford needs to acknowledge this issue and fix it.

Hey guys and gals. Have a 2018 XLT Sport Package low mileage with the same similar issues pertaining to the weld cracks on the rear trunk hinges as well as on both the left and right side seams. Making it a total of 4 cracked areas. I'm guessing the only way to solve this issue through much research on YouTube and different forums is to purchase a adhesive sealant and apply it to the cracks by hand. I purchased the Permatex Clear RTV Silicone Adhesive Sealant and will apply it tonight. You can also use the "black" Permatex Silicone Adhesive Sealant but I went with the clear one since my Explorer is White Platinum. I will upload pics of where my cracks are and before and after pics.

Chris, did this ultimately resolve your issue. Ive got a 16 Explorer with leaks down the left 3rd row speaker behind the plastic and towards the spare tire but the padding under the carpet seems to be soaking it all in. Its now at at point where I dont want to drive it until this is resolved and of course Ford denied this was a problem when I took it in.

I bought a 2019 and l have the same water problem , just drained the spare tire well and the carpet was soaked . I say Ford has or needs a recall on this problem , let’s get one started a recall , Help with this problem .

Hello All, I too discovered standing water in the spare tire well of my 2012 explorer. I removed the spare tire cover, spare tire and jack and the mat under the tire and got everything dried out. The liner in the cargo area was swamped as well. I sucked up what I could with a handheld carpet cleaning wand, but it still smells musty. How can I get rid of the smell and how do I I replace the rear cargo liner? All the liners I have found online do not have the cut out for the spare tire. I have found replacement for the spare tire cover though. Luckily it is summer and I have a few months to identify the area of water intrusion. Fingers crossed I can find it and do some caulking.

2014 Ford Explorer, water leak in rear hatch, several gallons of water in spare tire well. I found that the factory sealant had cracked in the upper part of the hatch frame in the left and right corners (outside of where the hinges are welded). I cleaned with isopropyl alcohol, let dry, and sealed with the highest quality grey outdoor silicone I could find. I pressed the silicone as deep into the cracks as I could manage. So far, so good but a poor job by Ford.

@GuruCSVJM3 I'm not sure if this message will find it's way to you or not but hopefully it does. 2015 Ford explorer, bought for my son's first car. My question is this. In the photo you posted, I'm unsure of where you sealed it with the Sherwin Williams sealer. You mentioned that you would be willing to post photos after you sealed it. Idk if you still have that vehicle or photos but maybe you remember where exactly you applied the sealer. If anyone could share clear photos of where the leak was as well as photos of after applying the sealer, my son and I would really appreciate it! *I'm definitely aware that this thread is 3years old but I figured it's worth a shot* Attached photos are indicating the locations of where I think it should be.

Have the same issue in our 2016 xlt ford explorer. I get in to drive and smell that wet smell. I always know to check the spare tire and it is always full of water after storms or carwashes. Really is annoying and I'm worried about what is being ruined in the car from water. The jack was all rusty and I'm sure other places wouuld be the same.

Having same issue 2013 Explorer limited tire well always has water in it after rain. Not sure what to do at this point as am sure dealership will charge a bunch to look and maybe fix.

It’s the hinges at the top of hatch! We just recently purchased a 2011 Explorer Limited, and it was musty! Found the rear wheel well full of water. We read all these posts, and went out to check out our hinges, and sure enough, the crap job they did putting a paintable putty around the hinges was raised and cracked. We squirted some water on the area, and it came out at the rear seatbelt by the speaker! We are now figuring what will be a permanent solution, since we can’t easily get a welder in there without removing the whole lift gate.