You can find replacement rubber plugs here: amzn.to/2PypXH8 or here: rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5575132837&toolid=10001&campid=5338727717&customid=&mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2380057.m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D90950-01958%26_sacat%3D0 (these are Amazon and eBay affiliated links)

@JT-un7dc

Жыл бұрын

I have a 2005 Toyota Camry it's only leaking on the driver side floor I did the normal AC condenser line and sunroof blowout but would these holes in the floor leak while the vehicle is not moving.? Or did your vehicle leak through the drain plugs while driving?

NICE!! I discovered this a couple years ago with our 2008 Highlander. For weeks I would poke around and try to figure out why the carpet in the rear seat was wet and the car smelled musty. Fast forward a couple months, I had a new bumper painted and I was going to install it by myself. When I removed the original bumper cover that I had damaged, I discovered that 3 of those same hole plugs were missing. It took some help from my Toyota dealership to figure out which hole covers to order. I came to realize that these covers don't fit tightly, and that likely over the years they've popped out whenever multiple people closed their doors at the same time, increasing cabin pressure and overwhelming the plug's ability to stay seated. It's an unfortunate design flaw and I'm sure most people would never just "figure this out". I figured it out literally by mistake. I also did what the poster did and put duct tape over the plugs to prevent future pop-outs. It's also a good idea to use some kitchen bleach spray to clean the mold off the sheet metal for a superior seal and tape bond.

I probably watched the same video that you did. The water triggered a high voltage hybrid system battery code which disabled my '08 Highlander Hybrid. Toyota told me that there was a corroded connection and wanted more time to look for it. I decided to dry it out myself but I couldn't dry out the car due to a long spat of lousy weather. Eventually, I called my insurance company and made a comprehensive claim. It sat at a body shop outside all closed up for a week and when they investigated it they said that there was mold and that the car didn't run. The insurance company "totaled" the car because the repair estimate was more than the car was worth. I bought it back for the salvage value, eventually saw the you tube video, plugged two holes, dried out the car and cleaned the mold off off the leather seats. Toyota never admitted that this was a known issue. The Highlander is still running strong with over 170,000 miles on it. I would like to get a new car but this one owes me nothing and still runs well. With a "reconstructed" tile is almost worthless as a trade so I will probably keep it until it starts nickel and diming me.

@brucer1220

5 ай бұрын

Same exact issue

Thank you so very much for your video. Our 2008 Highlander started smelling like mildew and we found water in the 2nd row floorboard…lots of water!! ( It soaked 2 beach towels) We took it to the dealership and they said they had no idea where the water was coming from. I seriously doubt that since this seems to be an issue in several Toyota models. Out of desperation we looked online and discovered your post. Sure enough…2 if the plugs were missing. We’re going to have the carpets pulled, cleaned and replaced. If the smell persists we’ll try the AC cleaner noted in one of the comments. Again, I can’t thank you enough!!!

Great video! I appreciate people like you... your solution saved me hundreds I f dollars... I can't believe my problems stemmed from a couple missing rubber plugs... I never would have found the source of the problem...plus I'm sure the dealership would have taken me to the cleaners...

OMG. We are going to try this with my 2008 prius. Thank you. And judging by this and other sites, this is a design flaw that Toyota should have recalled. So many of us! I love my Prius, but not the moldy carpets. The headlights take on water too, clearly a design flaw as I discussed with the Toyota dealer service guy. He argued and pointed to a Yaris with steamy lights to show me that it wasn't just the Prius! (The things service guys will tell women...)

@SEARCHFLATEARTH

3 ай бұрын

Yeah that’s crazy. Like saying no it’s fine see this one sucks too. LOL

@SEARCHFLATEARTH

3 ай бұрын

Yeah that’s crazy. Like saying no it’s fine see this one sucks too. LOL

Brilliant!!! Thank you for sharing this invaluable info!!

Thank you from the UK I'll investigate the water leak in my boot to see if I can fix it. Thank you for suggesting places to look

Thank you! Going to give this one a try

Thank you so much!!! I had water leak after rain in the same place.

This was very valuable information and instructions. Found one on each side missing.

@DIYtimeTRD

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Took me a while to figure out this one.

Great Information. I had no Idea that these holes existed. Let alone that the water could get from there to the rear seat foot-well. Thanks

Very helpful thanks!

after many hassles decided to go ahead and do this, fixed my leak, I got electrical problems tho. but thanks a lot

Gracias excellent video very helpful👍

omg!! thank you. Life saver

Unbelievable! I have watched four videos, including this one, and each showed a different cause! I told my wife that her Toyota is meant to hold water because it was obviously designed to harvest it. Thank you for the answer to a bizarre and completely non-intuitive design set up. there are probably a couple of structural engineers that have laughs over beers over the impossible to find problems they have designed in.

it was really helpful. Thanks man

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

Thanks HOPEFULLY I CAN TAKE MINE IN AND GET THEM TO CHECK OUT THE LEAK

2007 toyota corolla floor wet when it rains...any suggestions

Damn, thanks a lot. I have a leak in a Toyota Etios, in the front driver feet cushion. All videos on the internet points to the AC pipe leaking, but in my case, the water only appears when the car is parked in the rain. You finally gave me a proper heading to investigate the problem.

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, took me a while to figure it out.

@khanjadoon9931

2 жыл бұрын

Have you found problem my car is leaking at front passanger side

@JT-un7dc

Жыл бұрын

Mine is leaking when parked. I didn't think it would be the plugs I assumed that it would have to be moving down the road to collect water. But, I guess in your case it leaked while sitting?

@michaelslater6839

Жыл бұрын

Mine is leaking while parked also . Water in the front seat is often the drain holes for the sunroof being plugged. It can be unclogged using some weed-eater line. Unless your car was in an accident and a nonprofessional repaired it, like mine was. It’s unlikely to be the plugs. But if you don’t have a sunroof, I would definitely check to see if the plugs shown in this video. I didn’t know that they were there either.

@jeannedirhalleh7034

3 ай бұрын

I saw the video where the fellow removed the molding down the left front inside the door, and fixed something related to the AC that was allowing water to pool under driver’s floor. That is a job I don’t think I can do. And, as you said, my floor is getting wet after sitting in the rain. 🙄

Thanks for the video. Do you think replacing the rear plugs will stop water from pooling under front driver’s side? I am having the same problem with my 2013 Highlander. Bought it used three years ago. Got it home and within a couple of days the front drivers floor & rear right passenger floors were wet. Then a friend lifted up the cargo area mat, and the carpet under there was full of yellow mold. I was livid. It took everything I had to get a good car, and they sent it out like this? So I brought it back. They said they fixed it. No. Next rain, same thing. Brought it back again, this time that had it for a few days, cleaned it good, replaced some plugs…it was good through that winter but now it’s happening again, big time. I gave up. We tried blowing out and clearing the drain holes in the sun roof. They were clear. And I don’t even use the sunroof. We’ve been getting a lot of heavy rain in the northeast. The front driver’s floor is getting soaked. How can Toyota allow this and not either fix it once and for all or do a recall?? I’m so used to it now but others smell that damp smell in my car. I can’t afford to pay for someone to fix it. Obviously the crew at my dealer don’t know how to make it a permanent fix. I should have brought the car back and insisted my money back or claimed lemon law. So disappointed, because I love the car otherwise. I had a Toyota Siena for years, got 300K miles out of it, no issues. This is so frustrating. I’m going to make a formal complaint but I have a feeling it will fall in deaf ears. I’m a little handy, so maybe I can try the method above, with some help.

@DIY-time Hi, I’ve same problem in Toyota Yaris 2008. The water comes in after every rain only to the back row but not that much. Will it be the same issue? Please reply

The water comes in at the top for mine, I think near where the top break light is. I replaced the break light and looked for any gaps along the top of the rear window but can't find where the water is getting in from. 😔

Many thanks for all your help I had a similar issue but my leak is on front of driver seat just wondering is there any rubber washer installed on front bumper which needs to fixed but I cant see that

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

Not really. Front bumper is far away from cabin. You gotta check drain channels instead.

I spent 3,000 last year having everything ripped out of my car to be dried out. Tons of water in my back passenger carpets after it rained. Now it is starting to flood again. I do not want to spend that much money again I will see if anyone can help me fix this. Thanks for video. I have Toyota Camry hybrid 2017.

Thank you so much

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

👌🏼

You saved me. The body shop left my plug out.

i had water leak in my car's boot. and problem with mine was the not fully tightened screws on the boot door or the tail light screws. so check the rear lights as well, along with any other screws or seals

@DIYtimeTRD

3 жыл бұрын

Great tip, thank you!

I think my leak will be around the tail lights but I shall check this too thank you.

Probably missing due to an assembly oversight at the factory. I had all those plugs installed in my Japan made Corolla but my USA made Camry had some missing. I doubt they would fall out as they are tight fits.

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

Good point, I thought it was strange how they gone mussing.

I have the same problem and also have a couple missing plugs. Are you able to confirm that those 6 holes lead to the main cabin? It looks like a separate compartment to me and I can’t see where it connects to the cabin interior. Have you had issues since making this video?

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

I had an issue come back first time around. Turned out two plugs fell out again. I taped them to the car and never hand any more issues.

Thanks for video. I followed this and did have one plug missing of the six. Only the one in the right rear bumper was missing. However, I had a considerable amount of water at the floor of all four seats (Driver, Pass, 2nd row both). Could this one plug cause water to get into all four areas? What was your experience, just the rear 2nd row?

@DIYtimeTRD

Жыл бұрын

It could if it is a heavy rain.

@TacklingTheGiants

5 ай бұрын

Did replacing that one plug end up resolving your leak/wet carpet issue?

I have this problem in my 2008 toyota highlander. I have to check those rubber plugs. Also you have more videos about highlander? I have another issue that i cannot identified,its a cluncky noise when the car brakes. Sometimes small hacks are a big help. I just subscribed to ur channel.

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

It could be a number of things. Check break caliper if its seized, ball joints and wheel bearings.

@JohnSmith-yv6eq

4 ай бұрын

Check sway bar bushings, A arm bushings, 4 link rear suspension bushings

Hi, I have the same problem in my Toyota Prius 2008. Dealer told me that it related to Tail Light which costs me around $500. Thanks for your video. I am a woman so not sure how to remove the back pumper for that. But will try. Do you have any solutions for the molding issue on the carpet? Thanks in advance.

@redamohamed4759

Жыл бұрын

I have the same car with the same problem. Has it fixed and what the issue please ? Thanks

I just purchased an 08 Highlander base and sure enough it has wet carpets. The air conditioner drain was plugged so I cleared that thinking my problem was solved. We got a series of heavy rains last week and ended up with soaked carpet in the second row. The front is still dry. I pulled the bumper and just like yours, three plugs were missing on the drivers side. Not wanting to wait for a plug order I cleaned the area well with rubbing alcohol and covered them with several layers of Gorilla Duct Tape. I'm looking forward to the next rain to see what happens, or not! Did you have to deal with the mildew smell? If so what did you do to get rid of it? Thanks for your post!

@DIYtimeTRD

3 жыл бұрын

I live in Florida. I would normally leave car open for half a day on the sun ☀️ and that worked. Never had any smell after that.

@86SVOwner

2 жыл бұрын

After the carpet was dry I determined it wasn't the source of the mildew smell. I got the Toyota air conditioner system cleaning kit. One can of foam for the evaporator and one to spray in the ventilation intake. That did the trick. Smells fresh now.

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

Wow, never heard of that before. Thanks for sharing!

I am having problem wither passenger side is getting wet when a heavy rain comes. Could you give any suggestions on what might be causing it

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

Check AC and sunroof drain hoses.

I have a problem with the passenger side of the floor getting well when it rains. Do you have any suggestions of what might be causing it

@khanjadoon9931

2 жыл бұрын

Hey have you solve the problem ?i have same problem .please advice me

@ninajones4093

Жыл бұрын

I cleaned the sunroom water drain holes out and it seemed to have fixed the problem. Stick a small line of trimmer wire down through the drain hole and then blow it out with a air gun. It fixed my problem, an 2 I checked my air conditioner drain and made sure it wasn’t stopped up

@mosin9105

Жыл бұрын

Same…no sunroof though

After watching your video, it looks exactly same symptoms, mine is Toyota Corolla hatchback 2014, any advice how to get those rubber plugs, cheers

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

I found them on eBay.

@faaizali6616

2 жыл бұрын

I have a Toyota Corolla hatchback 2009 and have had exact same problem after heavy rain especially. I ended up taking all the carpet off to dry and replaced the underlay. Also going to replace the plugs and also apply some silicone around it.

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

👍🏼

We trust you no need to make your carpet wet again

I have a 2009 scion xb and have water in both drivers side floor and passenger floor behind the driver compartment, why the hell did toyota install these holes in the first place? Apparently they are in corollas too, except they are on the floor. WTF could be the reason for these?

@JohnSmith-yv6eq

4 ай бұрын

Assembly jig locating pins when the body gets robot welded during manufacture???

Is it at all possible that these missing plugs would effect the driver and passenger sides of the car?

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. Mine was wet on both sides.

What is the purpose of those holes with plugs?

@JohnSmith-yv6eq

4 ай бұрын

Locating pin holes for assembly jigs when the car is robot welded at the factory?

You sound like NoHo Hank

I used RV tape to cover my missing one plug … this almost cost me 3k for a soaked underwater hybrid battery …

@TacklingTheGiants

5 ай бұрын

Which vehicle did you have this problem with?

@brucer1220

5 ай бұрын

@@TacklingTheGiants 2008 Highlander Hybrid

Tried everything on net, still can't find my leak. Thinking about installing a bilge pump. Not really.

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

Where does it get wet first?

@frankensteinrules6511

2 жыл бұрын

@@DIYtimeTRD With rear inside trim removed[part with the 3 hooks for grocery bags] and rear door raised it comes in from underneath verticle metal piece that runs from side to side and to bottom of cargo area. Mine is a 2010 sienna xle, took rear bumper off, no plugs like yours.

@DIYtimeTRD

2 жыл бұрын

With bumper removed, check the channels for rain water: one on each side.

@steph6337

2 жыл бұрын

@@frankensteinrules6511 did you find a solution? I'm having a similar sounding leak! 😔

@lindamaatman3079

Жыл бұрын

​@Frankenstein rules We have the same problem on our 2010 Sienna. Did you ever get yours fixed?

How much will this cost? A man try to charge me 600 dollars to do this

Im curious if this fix is still working and keeping water out of your Highlander?

@DIYtimeTRD

Жыл бұрын

It did. I also placed tape over new plugs to prevent them from ever falling out again. Never had any more issues.

@MisterSolitude

Жыл бұрын

@@DIYtimeTRD Do you have any idea why my passenger seat is wet but not the floor? I have yaris

shrunk