2014 Ford Explorer Sport leaking water

Make sure that the sunroof drains are free of debris and that the felt around the glass is clean.

Thanks. Actually it was the drain hose. No debris, but I verified with a jug of water that the hose is directing water onto the floor instead of the fender well. I'm going to bring it back to the dealer and let them fix it and replace my carpet.

Document the loose drain with pictures and anything else that will make it a design or manufacturing defect. I work at a dealer and have to document everything with Ford via pictures, workshop manual procedures, and opinion to determine if it will be warranty or not. If they can see anything that would indicate that you did something to cause the leak or even left the sunroof open they will deny the claim and leave you with little recourse. I'm not saying that you did anything, just that you need to go in there prepared. I promise that the tech that will be looking at having to replace the carpet, headliner, possibly seat cushions, and anything else that is affected will be looking for a way out or to try to get you to submit it as an insurance claim.

What drain hose was it? I am finding a lot of water on the passenger side of my 2013 Ford Explorer Limited. Where did you pour the water to discover this?

There are four drain hoses on the sunroof, two in front draining the water along the A-pillars down either side of the windshield to the front wheel wells; there are also two drain tubes in the back I wasn't concerned with since most of the water was in front. Here's what I did... I parked slightly facing downhill. I opened the sunroof all the way and filled a half gallon water jug with water. You'll notice a drain hole on the driver and passenger side "corners" of the sunroof. Check those drain holes and clear them of any debris (I didn't have any). Generously pour the jug of water into the front channel, and if working properly the water will drain town the tubes to the street through the wheel well. If water isn't draining in a tube or water isn't hitting the street, that side's drain is the problem. In my case, the portion of the passenger-side drain tube had a missing clip and was disconnected. This was preventing all of the water going through the passenger-side tube from leaving the car and soaking my floor instead. Bottom line... this took me five minutes to diagnose once I figured out to try the sunroof drain. I asked the dealership specifically if they checked the sunroof drains and of course they said they did. I called them out on it but decided to take it back to them for the warranty service. Hope that helps.

I'm having the same issue. My 2014 Ford Explorer Sport is leaking (pouring) water from the front interior lights whenever it rains. I'm in NC. This is way too frustrating

LeoGuruLeo, my Explorer was doing the SAME exact thing yesterday after a 10 minute down pour (in FL). My driver side seatbelt was all wet and water was just streaming down from the front cabin lights. I also heard the water sloshing around when I began to drive. I'm going to try and clear the drain pipes tomorrow. Is water even supposed to be in there?

I have a 2005 Sport Trac 195,000KMS. Same problem I had to repair the Cluster (speedo, etc) and wiring cost $3000. The drain hoses will shrink with age. I put caulking in the seams between the roof and the sun roof (essentially no sun roof). The roof liner is so stained. Front end probs, the rear end probs, When I start it a death rattle deep inside the motor, Its currently for Sale.

I've got a 2014 Limited. No sunroof. When it rains I've been finding water pooled on front passenger floor near the console. I've had it at the dealership twice and they can't find it. Any clues??

Guru9YLWB, That's very interesting, when mine was leaking last year (I have a sun roof) I also found water near my feet on the driver's side. I could squish it with my foot on the carpet. I wonder if your car has drain hoses even though it doesn't have a sun roof?

I just had the same issue. Has anyone had their windshield replaced? I have and I am suspecting something wasn't done right. My water is coming in under the glove box on the right hand side.

We have a 2014 XLT with no sunroof and it is leaking visibly through the interior cabin lights. I haven't seen anything accumulate into the floorboards, but we want to head it off before it gets any worse. Did you ever find out what was causing yours GURU9X84N?

I can't stress the importance of making sure those 4 drains in the moonroof/sunroof drip tray are clear and free flowing. Even if you don't see a clogged drain hole in the moonroof/sunroof drip tray, lots of times the tubes become clogged further down. It is imperative to periodically check their functioning, or you will have water on your floor, or worse. (See photos) Because my drains were clogged in my2013 Ford Explorer, water got into the moonroof/sunroof's motor circuitry, which led to it not working. If you park under or near trees, always fully close your moonroof/sunroof! Don't leave in the vent position, because debris will eventually clog those drains.

This is international problems, I believe it manufacturer defect, what is interesting is some people has no sunroof yet they complain of water leak .shame on ford not solving this issue which eventually will let her loss costumer

This same problem keeps happening to my mom! No one knows where it’s coming from either. She has a 2013 Ford Explorer limited. Every time it rains the passenger side gets soaked. And then one time it came through the lights in the front of the car. She’s so upset she almost cried. Such a frustrating thing to go through.

Yep.. I just had a dealer in San Diego (La Mesa, actually) tell me it would be 3,000 dollars to fix this problem. Two years ago, I took our explorer in, told them about the water and they couldn't find anything. Last night's storm did a number (about an inch of standing water in the front passenger floor) and they said it was because of debris in the vent. We never even use the sunroof. It's always closed. I'm irate. What kind of car company is OK with WATER INSIDE THE CAR?! It's not like I'm asking for free brake pads or tires. Unbelievable attitude by them.

For those of you that have passenger area leaks and no sunroof, you will want to remove the cowl cover and check down in that space. There are "drains" in there that can become clogged which leads to the water rising and eventually coming into the car....usually in the passenger side and from behind the glove box. In terms of leaking around the front cabin lights with no sunroof....I am at a loss unless it is a windshield seal issue.

I have a 2018 Ford Explorer. I only had it for 22 days, havent made a payment on it, haven't received my plates. Its been in the service department for 5 days already and they still can't figure out where the water came in through. Passenger side floor board is completely drenched with water when our area in Texas received rainfall. This is a BRAND NEW car! No sun roof either. They claim they checked the AC, seals, and windshield and they can't find the defect.

I have a 2015 explorer. I thought water was coming from middle roof rack support. I sealed it and still water comes down rear seat belt. It must be a seam problem between roof and quarter panel in the channel where the supports bolt in.

By the way. It’s on drivers side if it makes any difference

I had found this thread via Google. I had water coming in through the front overhead lights on my 2015 explorer with a sun roof after a brief rain today. The car is new to us and this was the first rain. Thanks for pointing out the drain holes in each corner. They were plugged! I took trimmer line from my weed whacker and fished it down each tube. I met resistance about 6"-8" with the line, worked it back and forth a bit and finally pushed through. I was able to push about 5 feet of line in on each side, pulled out the line, took my air compressor with a small piece of 1/4 hose attached and blew them out. Flushed with water. It sounded like pulling the drain in the bathtub and the water quickly drained out. Hopefully that takes care of the issue.

We just bought a 2014 Explorer with 25K miles. My wife said that rain water is coming through on the passenger side (droplets at most) when driving in these Florida rain showers. It is so frustrating as its been 72 hours with this car and there are back up camera issues, loud road noise when driving, strange smell when accelerating, and now water leaking. I am really disappointed.

:Yep, I've got the water on the passenger side floor 3/4" deep, in my 2014 FORD EXPLORER after the rain last saturday in Redondo Beach. I had taken it to Ford during the last rainy days, the charged $100 and said it's fixed, that they patched a rubber gasket.... but I can see it didn't fix it. Thanks for the drain tip, I bet that's it. I've passed this link to South Bay Ford in Hawthorne, California to see it's happening to others too.

I have a 2014 Ford Escape and I am experiencing water staining on the passenger side upper molding as well. Took into Ford for $182 assessment fee and they said it was an autobody issue. Bars running along roof are leaking at a seam so sent me to autobody company to fix. Will get that estimate on Wednesday. Pretty new car to be leaking. The water staining is pretty ugly too.

Had water dripping from inside overhead lights and unbelieveably the sunvisor mounting bracket. I was near a dealership and these clowns told me to bring it on a Tuesday morning, because thats when the water damage guy was there and he just left. I called the next closest dealer and he told me the water damage guy was in tomorrow and I was looking at a $220 job at least. I made it to my normal non STEALERSHIP mechanic and he fixed it in 15 mins. It was the drain holes in the corners of the sunroof. He shot air thru until all the crap came out. The overflow tray is right over the headliner and if it overflows it goes right to the headliner. Problem solved for free and the dealer told me it would be $220. Ford needs to be ashamed.

I have a 2016 Explorer Sport that has a sunroof and moon roof. Mine is pouring water through the air vents in the ceiling only on passenger side in 2 & 3rd row seats. I do park on a hill and they never asked me at the dealership. They immediately said it was the seal around the moon roof and replaced it. Then took it back and they said it was the roof rack that was loose on that side. Then took it back and said it was clogged drain holes. Just returned it this morning and they just don't seem to care that I have no car or that they are truly incompetent to fix the problem after 3 tries.

We just bought a 2018 Ford Explorer Sport (does have double sun roof) a month ago..first rain of the season and it is leaking somewhere in the back either near the hatch or third row seat. My husband took it back to the dealership today and they won’t even look at it until 3 days from now, when the rain is supposed to stop. I am beyond irritated right now!!

2013 Explorer sport here -- have water coming in...think it shorted it and cant open sunroof to check drains -- anyway to manually open and close the moonroof to check this

Just bought a second hand 2015 FE Sport and I was driving it home with water dripping from interior lights! I have a sunroof. Has anybody come up with a solution!?!

1/2 I also started noticing issues this past fall with my 2016 Sport. Water comes in the passenger side corner as you can see in the pictures. I've cleaned out INCHES of water from the front and back passenger floorboards and it rains a lot here in Oregon. At first I suspected the sunroof and saw that I should check for debris with a jug of water like the original poster Josh suggested. Water came out the wheel wells in my test so I left rags in the catch/headliner to make sure the catch wasn't overflowing down into the headliner. Every time I checked the rags they were dry. I moved on to assuming it was the seal between the windshield and frame so I bought some clear RTV silicone and ran some along the sean in the passenger corner. Today now again I am finding water in the floorboards. I'm going to run a guitar string down the sunroof drains and see if I can clear any debris. I'm super frustrated and know Ford won't indemnify themselves.

2/2 Photo showing the water collecting in the front passenger floorboard area. It seems to travel in the channel back to the rear floorboard when filled high enough.

Having similar problems with our 2013 Ford Explorer Sport. Water on the passenger side floor after heavy rains and the car parked only in certain positions (when my wife is at work, parked on the side of the street with the passenger side to the curb, lower than the driver side). Took it to a water leak guy and found the passenger side "A" Pillar (Ford (BB5Z-7803144-AA passenger side or BB5Z-78903144-BA driver side) that goes over the windshield must have been taken off once before and put back on, breaking the upper pin so there is a gap at the upper corner on the right side, allowing water to drain into the passenger side instead of down the alley to gutter in the right wheel well. Took him 2 hours to figure it out as the water had to hit it at perfect angle. No water otherwise has ever leaked even when driving in heavy storms. If any of you have had a windshield replacement, this could be the cause as that A pillar is not meant to be re-installed, you HAVE to put a new one on (~$140 new from dealership). Windshield repair companies didn't notice this right away and were just replacing the old ones for several years before discovering this problem. If your Sunroof drains are all clear but still getting leaking on to the floor, check and make sure the A pillars are well secured still. When I replace it, going to also check the drains to make sure after reading all the comments above. Hope this helps!

My 2015 Explorer Sport leaking water to the passenger side front floor mat. Water under that rubber mat too and along the passenger door. Upon taking it to an independent repair place they found the front windshield not sealed properly. When putting a hose at the right angle the water was pouring in and running everywhere to eventually dripping to the above floor mat. Said it looked pretty rusty in there too like it had been like that awhile. Left it out the night before with a pretty good rain but it is always in the garage. Was probably bad during the warranty (like a lot of other things on this car) but did not catch it in time.

2012 Ford Explorer with a leak in the driver side footwell. Took it to one dealership that said they fixed it only to learn much later that not only did not sunroof not open anymore, I now had water pouring into the driverside footwell and from the map lights. Soaked headlines and soaked carpetting. It took me a while to figure out the "fix" did not take as the Explorer is garaged about 90% of the time. I just dropped it off at another dealer who said that it was going to be an expensive fix as they would have to remove the glass as the sunroof no longer opens up. This is, without doubt, the last Ford I will ever purchase.

***not only did the sunroof not open anymore

A class action lawsuit should have already happened against Ford!! Years ago I had a 2001 Explorer that leaked inside every time it rained. Why has leak issues been happening with Ford Explorer’s for years & are still a huge problem??!! Ford you should absolutely be ashamed of yourself!! My Explorer didn’t have a sunroof & leaked badly when it rained. So, this isn’t just clogged sunroof drains. These leaks are happening everywhere in Explorers...DON’T EVER BUY AN FORD EXPLORER!!

My 2016 Ford Explorer xlt is at the dealership for water in the floorboard behind the driver seat....

Does anyone know where the other two sunroof drains exit? Not the two that exit in the front wheel wells, but the two that travel to the back of the car? I believe that’s where my issue is.

Appears to be a defect! 2013 Explorer has multiple leaks (seams, joints) and water is actually in the body of the vehicle now. Ford dealer just quoted I may need a new roof because of the amount of water damage from RAIN. This is crazy! Ford should do something about this!

i have a 2013 ford explorer with the same issues that everyone describe..., yes Ford should do something

Went through a carwash in my 2014 limited and heard water rushing over my head above the doors then it came running out all across the top of the windshield and dome light above the rear view mirror. Ive opened the moonroof once or twice since buying it. Didn't see any debris in the tracks or any thing visable that would allow water inside.

I have a 2016 ford explorer sport and I havent ever had this issue and now 2 days straight after a ton of rain I keep having PUDDLES of water real passsenger door ... google brought me here.

2014 Explorer Sport Trac. Tried canned air first, no luck. Ran trimmer line down both sides as far as it would go about 48". Only got a slight drip on passenger side. Took a piece of gas line tube which fit in the drip tube and put in about 12". Then used canned air. It cleared out something and now gurgles and drains nicely when water is poured in. Did this to both sides. When done could still only feed 48" of trimmer line down the tube. Drains great now. See pic