[Hobbes9112]

Over the last few days we have been getting some rain. I opened the lift gate this morning and opened up the storage area to find that my bungee cords had mold on them. I removed the tray and found that the entire tire well was soaking wet. Nothing in the main cargo area is damp but quite a bit of water came in and was funneled down to the floor. Has anyone else had problems with water leaks? I am currently at the dealer hoping they will dry it out and find the problem. Thanks!

 

[madchemist24]

um, no ... not with the Jeep anyways. Had this with my old Endeavor. I didn't notice it right away, but about 4 months into ownership, I started to smell something but could never find it. One day I was digging in the back and found standing water in the crevices. I could not locate the source and took it to the dealer. They also "were not able to locate a problem". I finally took the interior panels out and ran a hose over the roof. I found water was following a bolt that held the roof rack on into the passenger compartment. Pulled the bolt, added sealent, put it back. no more problems.

 

[Hobbes9112]

No luck finding where the water is coming in. They asked me to come back on Monday so they can remove the panels from the cargo area to keep looking. Here's hoping this is an easy fix!

 

[gti337]

Was the water only in the spare tire well/storage are? No carpet or panels in the hatch wet?

I swear I remember someone posting about water getting into the spare tire well several months ago . . . will see if I can find it.

Found it:
http://jeepcherokeeclub.com/57-interior/28754-wet-carpet-inside.html#post406410

 

[Hobbes9112]

Was the water only in the spare tire well/storage are? No carpet or panels in the hatch wet?

I swear I remember someone posting about water getting into the spare tire well several months ago . . . will see if I can find it.

Thanks! I tried to search from my phone and had no luck. The water is only in the tire well and the underside of the cover is also damp but the top part is bone dry. I think it has to be rolling down the inside of the panels and down into the well.

 

[gti337]

Thanks! I tried to search from my phone and had no luck. The water is only in the tire well and the underside of the cover is also damp but the top part is bone dry. I think it has to be rolling down the inside of the panels and down into the well.

Found it - http://jeepcherokeeclub.com/57-interior/28754-wet-carpet-inside.html#post406410

 

[Hobbes9112]

Good find! I will show this to the service department on Monday.

 

[Milan]

I found water was following a bolt that held the roof rack on into the passenger compartment. Pulled the bolt, added sealent, put it back. no more problems.

Just curious, how did you remove the roof rails bolts? Are the rails bolted from the inside, or outside?

 

[SkipW]

@Milan: if you're asking about the Cherokee roof rail bolts, you can access them by popping the covers off the top of the rails front and rear. They thread into holes in the body/roof structure.

 

[madchemist24]

Just curious, how did you remove the roof rails bolts? Are the rails bolted from the inside, or outside?

Please re-read my entire post .... it was not referring to the Cherokee ... it was mentioning my similar issue on another suv ... that may or may not be the root cause of the OPs issue ... basically, something for him to consider. I have not looked at the bolts on the Cherokee rack since I have not had this issue with mine.

@Milan: if you're asking about the Cherokee roof rail bolts, you can access them by popping the covers off the top of the rails front and rear. They thread into holes in the body/roof structure.

good info to know, thanks.

 

[Hobbes9112]

I dropped the Jeep off this morning and told them about Curt's post about the floor pan. The service tech wasn't interested and told me "you know those websites can be wild goose chases." After being persistent, he agreed to take a look but told me that if there were a problem Chrysler would have already issued a service bulletin. Needless to say I think he underestimates the utility of our forums. He called this afternoon to let me know that they haven't had a chance to look at it yet, but plan to open it up in the morning. In the meantime, I will be driving a Town and Country for a loaner. I'm happy to have a loaner, but I can't wait to get my Cherokee back!

 

[GAMTNMANN]

I dropped the Jeep off this morning and told them about Curt's post about the floor pan. The service tech wasn't interested and told me "you know those websites can be wild goose chases." After being persistent, he agreed to take a look but told me that if there were a problem Chrysler would have already issued a service bulletin. Needless to say I think he underestimates the utility of our forums. He called this afternoon to let me know that they haven't had a chance to look at it yet, but plan to open it up in the morning. In the meantime, I will be driving a Town and Country for a loaner. I'm happy to have a loaner, but I can't wait to get my Cherokee back!

Oh no! The dreaded Town & Country. They gave me one of those when I was waiting on my replacement. Nothing against Chrysler except that vehicle should be advertised as a Soccer Mom Special with big Red Lips. Ugggggg.> Hope ya get ya Jeep back swiftly.:grin:

 

[Hobbes9112]

I just got back home in the Cherokee and thought I'd provide a quick update. They water tested all of the seals for the sunroof and doors and everything was water tight. When they took out the side panels and carpet they found the holes in the floor pan that Curt reported. They also removed the wheel well covers and found that the exhauster vent in the right rear wheel well was not seated properly. Thus, when I was driving on wet roads water was getting kicked up and coming in through the hole where the vent should have been. They replaced the exhauster and sealed the holes in the floor pan. Everything is all dry now, so hopefully it will stay that way! Thanks again for the tip on looking at the floor pan.

 

[CRZY4X4]

So much for the "wild goose chases".

.

 

[dawcey01]

I have a 2018 Compass - I went to my vehicle and had condensation that I thought was on the exterior. I put the wipers on and realized it was INSIDE my vehicle back and front. I felt all carpets and found nothing. I cleaned off the windows and parked, when I got out of work at the end of the day - same issue water on every window inside. I opened the trunk and felt the carpet was slightly damp. I pulled up the carpet to see the spare and there was the water. I brought it to the dealership and was given the dumb little woman left the window open treatment until they felt all the floors and inspected the trunk. I also found water behind the seat when I put my hands between the seat and area where the seat belt straps hang. I have had the car less than 90 days and I am fuming. I have noticed other issues with the car which they say they will get to after they water test the vehicle. I do not have a sun roof so I don't know where the water is getting in from. I know there is a lemon law when it comes to cars and that you need to keep documenting the issues. Is a lemon law only for mechanical issues or is it also for manufacturing issues?

 

[JeepCares]

I have a 2018 Compass - I went to my vehicle and had condensation that I thought was on the exterior. I put the wipers on and realized it was INSIDE my vehicle back and front. I felt all carpets and found nothing. I cleaned off the windows and parked, when I got out of work at the end of the day - same issue water on every window inside. I opened the trunk and felt the carpet was slightly damp. I pulled up the carpet to see the spare and there was the water. I brought it to the dealership and was given the dumb little woman left the window open treatment until they felt all the floors and inspected the trunk. I also found water behind the seat when I put my hands between the seat and area where the seat belt straps hang. I have had the car less than 90 days and I am fuming. I have noticed other issues with the car which they say they will get to after they water test the vehicle. I do not have a sun roof so I don't know where the water is getting in from. I know there is a lemon law when it comes to cars and that you need to keep documenting the issues. Is a lemon law only for mechanical issues or is it also for manufacturing issues?

Hi dawcey01,

I am sorry to hear that you are having a tough time with your Jeep Cherokee. If you are in need of additional assistance while in service, please feel free to send us a private message.

Darlene
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[UN4GTBL]

I have a 2018 Compass - I went to my vehicle and had condensation that I thought was on the exterior. I put the wipers on and realized it was INSIDE my vehicle back and front. I felt all carpets and found nothing. I cleaned off the windows and parked, when I got out of work at the end of the day - same issue water on every window inside. I opened the trunk and felt the carpet was slightly damp. I pulled up the carpet to see the spare and there was the water. I brought it to the dealership and was given the dumb little woman left the window open treatment until they felt all the floors and inspected the trunk. I also found water behind the seat when I put my hands between the seat and area where the seat belt straps hang. I have had the car less than 90 days and I am fuming. I have noticed other issues with the car which they say they will get to after they water test the vehicle. I do not have a sun roof so I don't know where the water is getting in from. I know there is a lemon law when it comes to cars and that you need to keep documenting the issues. Is a lemon law only for mechanical issues or is it also for manufacturing issues?

Sorry to hear about your troubles.

Just an FYI - this is a place for Jeep Cherokees, so we probably can't help so much with your Compass. I'd try a Compass specific forum to see if this is a common issue or not.

And, see what @JeepCares is able to help with.

 

[Omicron]

No luck finding where the water is coming in. They asked me to come back on Monday so they can remove the panels from the cargo area to keep looking. Here's hoping this is an easy fix!

I just got back home in the Cherokee and thought I'd provide a quick update. They water tested all of the seals for the sunroof and doors and everything was water tight. When they took out the side panels and carpet they found the holes in the floor pan that Curt reported. They also removed the wheel well covers and found that the exhauster vent in the right rear wheel well was not seated properly. Thus, when I was driving on wet roads water was getting kicked up and coming in through the hole where the vent should have been. They replaced the exhauster and sealed the holes in the floor pan. Everything is all dry now, so hopefully it will stay that way! Thanks again for the tip on looking at the floor pan.

If this turns out not to be the problem, have them check the seals around the rear quarter windows. I previously had a Jeep Grand Cherokee that had an untraceable water leak, which filled up the under floor spare tire well. Spent years trying to find the source, until one day a guy we had looking at it to paint it pulled off the rear quarter window trim and found the bottom of one of the quarter window gaskets was missing. Water would get in there, run down the inside of the body panel, and pool in the spare tire well. We replaced it, and the problem was solved.

 

[Npcincinnati]

um, no ... not with the Jeep anyways. Had this with my old Endeavor. I didn't notice it right away, but about 4 months into ownership, I started to smell something but could never find it. One day I was digging in the back and found standing water in the crevices. I could not locate the source and took it to the dealer. They also "were not able to locate a problem". I finally took the interior panels out and ran a hose over the roof. I found water was following a bolt that held the roof rack on into the passenger compartment. Pulled the bolt, added sealent, put it back. no more problems.

I’m having a similar problem and can’t find anything in the internet that similar except your post. My 2016 keep Cherokee latitude has odd smell inside that’s pungent and strong. I looked around to find where it was coming from - in the spare wheel well to find lots of water. I’ve removed everything, including the plastic to pull the carpet up to dry everything out. It’s all dry now, including the thermal fabric on the right and left side. I sprayed the entire car with white vinegar to kill the mold and smell. The smell is returning... this past rain storm I discovered rain coming through the back right speaker holes. Was this similar to your situation? I ask because I’m unsure where it’s coming from. The ski racks looks and radio antenna appear sealed. I’m at a loss.

 

[AtlCade69]

I had this on my '13 Escape. Worst thing, it didn't have any venting in the spare well to drain any water. Probably had 4" in the well when I traded it in for the Jeep. Ford could never fix the problem, I was almost ready to put drains in it myself, when I thought wtf, just get a new car... Here I am!

If you have a sunroof, make sure all the drain lines are clear and intact (these days, they are not one piece, they have tees and connectors). Pull the rack and reseal the bolt holes,