Is it serious if water reaches under the car seats?
2 Answers
It is relatively serious if a car is submerged to the level below the seats. Here are the relevant details: 1. Severity: The seriousness of a water-damaged car depends on the height of the water submersion and whether the vehicle was started while submerged. 2. Below the seats: If the water only reaches below the seats, this height does not reach the vehicle's air intake or the fuse box and dashboard area. After thorough cleaning, the impact on the vehicle is relatively minor. 3. Cleaning: During the cleaning process, it is necessary to replace the transmission fluid, engine oil, and brake fluid, as well as clean and maintain the vehicle's braking system, exhaust pipe, and catalytic converter. This can further reduce the impact of water damage on the vehicle's subsequent use.
I've run an auto repair shop for over a decade and handled numerous flood-damaged vehicles. Water reaching below the seats definitely qualifies as a severe incident. In such cases, immediate water extraction and complete carpet removal for inspection are mandatory. Critical components are hidden beneath the seats: airbag sensor wiring harnesses, seat motor control modules, and body control units are particularly prone to short circuits when submerged. Even more problematic are the wiring in the floor sandwich layers - even if surfaces appear dry, prolonged corrosion can trigger various electrical failures like false airbag warnings or malfunctioning power windows. Without thorough treatment, mold growth and persistent odors may develop later. The key is to remove seats, lift carpets for drying, and have professional rustproofing treatment performed by specialists.
