Where does the water in the Elantra trunk come from?
3 Answers
Water in the trunk may enter through the trunk seal or gaps around the taillights during rain. The owner can have it inspected at a repair shop. Causes of trunk leakage: 1. Check for aging or damage to the trunk seal. 2. Cracks in the taillight housing weld. 3. Detached sunroof drainage tubes. 4. Damage to paint sealant at roof joints. Solutions for trunk leakage: 1. Drainage: Remove the rubber plug at the bottom of the spare tire compartment to drain water. 2. Apply sealant: Open the trunk, remove the interior panels, and seal marked areas with adhesive, preferably from the outside. The rear bumper must also be removed for proper sealing. 3. For aging seals: Replace them at an auto repair shop. If the car is still under warranty, contact the dealership or visit a 4S store for repairs.
Last time I washed my car, I found water accumulation in the trunk. It took me a while to locate the issue. Water leakage in the Hyundai Elantra's trunk is most likely due to aging sealing strips, especially in older vehicles. Carefully feel the rubber strips around the trunk edges; if they've hardened or cracked, they're no longer effective. Another hidden spot is the gaps around the taillights. The sealing pads on the base of Hyundai's taillights tend to shrink. Just the other day, while helping my neighbor inspect their car, we found the bottom drainage holes clogged—leaves and mud had completely blocked the drainage outlets, causing all the wash water to back up. Additionally, the sunroof drainage pipes might run near the trunk area, and if the pipe connections loosen, it can cause the same problem. It's advisable to have someone observe the leak path from the back seat during rainy days for targeted troubleshooting.
As an experienced auto mechanic, I've seen too many cases of the Elantra's trunk turning into a fish pond. There are three common leakage points: 1) The aging waterproof seal strip on the trunk lid can form barely visible gaps; 2) Pay special attention to the sheet metal seams on the rear panel if the vehicle has been rear-ended - poor repainting can lead to water seepage; 3) The drainage channel design below the rear windshield is flawed - accumulated leaves cause rainwater to backflow into the trunk. I recommend lifting the sound insulation mat in the spare tire well and using a flashlight to check for water marks along the weld seams. Just two days ago, I handled a 2014 model where the rear window sealant had cracked, allowing water to flow in along the C-pillar lining - this definitely requires resealing.
