Acura MDX wet floor

250

Asked by krlok Jan 19, 2010 at 01:28 AM about the 2001 Acura MDX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2001 Acura MDX. A few months ago I noticed the drivers side floor was wet after it had rained the night before. I didn't pay it much attention at first but then it got worse and worse and now the passenger side is wet as well as the back seat floor. I've taken up the seats and carpet and there is moisture under the carpet and in places water is present. I'm pretty sure the water in the back is running back from the front. I cant tell where it is coming from. I've tested the sun roof drains and they are good. The door seals look to be in good order. The place I first noticed the water stain on the carpet was just under the e-brake pedal. I placed a pan on the floor under the pedal during a rain storm, and ther was no water in the pan the next morning.  This morning after it rained all night there was enough water on the floor that I noticed it on the pass side for the first time. The only thing I can think of is somehow water is coming in and running down the inside of the fire wall. At this point I have not dismanteld the car enough to remove the fire wall pad but the under side of the pad where it lays flat on the floor is totally saturated with water.
Does any one have any ideas ???
Any help would be much appreciated.
Kevin

34 Answers

120

I have a 1994 integra, and the same problem!! found this somewhere; but have no idea if it is correct: http://www.jdmuniverse.com/forums/acura-integra-integra-type-r-da-dc2/63081-water-leaking-into-passenger-floorboard.html

12 people found this helpful.
320

I'm having a similar problem on my 2006 MDX It appears to be showing up on the passenger front floor by door. Dealership said a common problem with MDX and that we typically refer to auto body shop. They wouldn't eleborate on why and said they would look at it and diagnoise, cost of $181. We elected to save the fee and go straight to a friend that owns a auto body shop. We've dried out the floor, had a auto body shop run water all over it, clean out the sunroof drains. Next we drove the car for a few days to see if water reappeared, which it did. Back to AB shop today. Here is a link I found. Please let me know if you discover the problem by responding to this post. http://www.fixya.com/cars/t2280819-2004_acura_mdx_water_leak Richard

22 people found this helpful.
250

I have done some digging and what I have found on my 2001 MDX is that the drivers side pillar is filling with water and then it fills to a point where it starts running out (over filling)of a small hole about three to four inches up from the floor. I had the interior stripped including the kick panels and ran a hose over it systematically starting on the sunroof, then going down each side. At first I couldn't get it to duplicate. The weird thing was that it didn't happen every time it rained but I noticed that it happen when it would rain hard or for a long time. The reason it didn't happen every time, I discovered, is that it had to rain long enough, or hard enough, to fill the pillar to the point that it would run out of the hole. As I was running the hose over the windsheild with no result I was about ready to give up when I saw a little steam develope and run down the pillar to the floor. So now I know how the water is getting inside the car but I don't know how it is getting into the pillar. My guess is that there is a body joint where the seam sealer has cracked or been compromised in some way. My next step is to take the drivers door and front fender off to inspect those areas. If anyone has some input it would be helpfull. I will look at the link to check it out. Kevin

19 people found this helpful.
250

Richard, Thanks for the link. Its pretty exaustive but usefull. When I was inspecting the hole in the pillar where the water was coming from I noticed that about an inch or two below the hole,inside of the pillar, there was somekind of an expansion foam used. I was tring to figure out what it was for. I poked at it with my scribe and accidentally put a hole in it however when it does leak now it dosn't seem to be as bad. I read in the link you sent, that somebody had mentioned the foam in the pillar and said to take off the mud flap to clean out the drain. I had done that as was trying to see where the water should go if it where normal for there to be water in the pillar but I dont think that it is normal. As far as I can reason I dont think there should be water in the pillar at all. By the way in my previous post, I saw a little STREAM develope and run down the pillar, not steam. I went to the dealer before I did anything to see if it was something they were aware of. Of coarse they had no idea and sent me straight to a bodyshop that does all their work. When I went to the body shop they said they could look at it but couldn't give me a price because it was diagnostic and they would have to charge by the hour. At $85.00 an hour, I could see the bill adding up real fast before the problem was even fixed. Maybe your body shop can take this info and come up with an answer. Please let me know if you find anything out. Kevin

5 people found this helpful.
320

Kevin, AB Shop was stumped, would need to start taking things apart. I decided to contact someone I knew higher up at Acura. They agreed to do a diagnosis at no charge "customer loyalty", which I'm guessing they bill to Acura. I take the car in the next day or so, as soon as they can arrange me a loaner car. I'll be sure to update this post.

2 people found this helpful.
320

Kevin, the diagnosis is a seam at the fender well, it will need to go to the body shop to remove fender and fix, cost of $350.

8 people found this helpful.
70

Hi there. We also have a 2001 Acura MDX with wet floor. Beaverton dealer did general drain diagnostic and found nothing wrong with sunroof or drains. They also referred me next to an auto body place (theirs). How is your car now and would you mind sharing if it did actually cost $350? From another 2001 Acura MDX owner with wet floor from PortlandOR....

7 people found this helpful.
80

I have 07 Mdx with water showing in the passenger front compartment, Car is currently at local dealer at 135 diagnosis charge. I will reply back with the findings

1 people found this helpful.
95

Please do as I have an 01 MDX with water in the passenger side floor at the moment with no luck finding where it's coming in at.

9 people found this helpful.
80

Have 07 MDX filling with water on passengers side, car is at the dealer and there findings were the culking wore out By the firewall on the drivers side and that was the reason the the passenger side floor was taking water. I receive my suv back tomorrow

2 people found this helpful.
90

This stymied me for a year with water on inside of windows when lowered then up after rain and da posh front carpet. Finally they figured (the dealer) that is comes from front body seams needing re welding or caulking. This was a total drag as they took out the carpets which were damp, washed/dryed and removed bumper/fenders and fixed. Cost 1500$ which is pissy for a problem that is starting to be an average occurrence. But can be a huge problem with pacific NW rain. And they broke some cover clips and left greasy hand marks. But car is now dry. This is the first time I have not been in love with my 2005 mdx or Acura. And I bought it new.

9 people found this helpful.
80

Ok i had my 07 mdx at the dealer cause my front passenger floor was getting wet after about a month with my suv they determined the water was coming in through the the firewall on drivers side. They said the caulking was no good and need to seam seal the whole front clip. I have had my suv back for 2 weeks now and all seems fine. And it was a defect on their behalf so dealer covered all cost and loaner car for 3 1/2 weeks. I hope this helps

5 people found this helpful.
120

I have a 2012 acura mdx and we just had a rain storm in NY and the driver pillar was wet and I had a pool on the drivers mat

12 people found this helpful.
60

i have a 2008 mdx leaking at top of window pilars when it rains hard any help?????????

6 people found this helpful.
40

My 2003 MDX floods like that and I used to believe there was rain coming into the vehicle somehow. I've figured out that it is the AC flooding my car. I'm not really sure the specifics of how or why, yet, but if anyone else knows I'd appreciate help.

4 people found this helpful.
140

My 2005 MDX has been leaking on both the driver's and passenger sides at the floor mats. We originally thought this was caused by the replacement of the windshield, so we kept taking it back to the auto glass company. Ultimately, after reading these other comments, I believe we have the same problem with the seam inside the fender. With so many of us experiencing this problem, can it now be considered a manufacturer's defect and get covered by Acura?

5 people found this helpful.
30

My 2005 MDX has been leaking on the driver's side floor. I have no idea what the cause is but I think if there are enough complaints that Acura should pay to have the problem fixed.

3 people found this helpful.
10

My 2005 MDX has the same problem: large amounts of water on the drivers side floor after heavy rain. The dealer service center tried to tell me it was because I had the windshield replaced somewhere other than Acura. I didn't believe him then and definitely don't now. What is the "pillar" people are mentioning?

1 people found this helpful.
40

I have the dame problem with the acura 2005 it's water on the front seat floor of the passenger side, I noticed a few days ago a some drops coming. Out from the left side of passenger side it doesn't stop. Anyone has a clue what it can be or where can I take the car to get it properly fix?

4 people found this helpful.
140

We finally gave in and took it to the dealer. $180 to begin the diagnosis, then another $300 to continue until they found a cracked seal somewhere in the fender, which they replaced. It has rained twice since and so far no more water on the floor. They claimed this worn seal was "normal wear and tear."

1 people found this helpful.
140

Never mind my last message. This evening I checked the driver's side carpet under the materials and IT'S WET AGAIN! The dealer's $500 repair did NOT solve the leak! Taking it back in the morning.

2 people found this helpful.
90

I have a 2011 MDX and for the last 5.5 years the car has been great. 6 months ago I noticed the front floor boards (driver and passenger) were wet. As anyone's gut reaction would be, I blamed it on an open window/sunroof but then it happened a few more times after it rained. I had the windshield replaced a year ago so my next guess was there's a leak in the windshield but after having Safelight and another independent windshield auto shop do their blow/water leak tests twice the windshield wasn't the source of the problem. The dealer initially mentioned that its possible that the vents are clogged so had them clean out the vents (for $195 in NY) and got the car back. Next week, it poured again and there's water on the floorboards! Aargh .. The dealer did acknowledge that Acura is aware of this issue and they have provided them guidelines of what needs to be done to fix this. Its been three weeks since the SUV's been with the dealer. But they cannot, for the life of them, figure out how is the water getting into the car. My concern is that the carpet has been wet so many times, its prone to grow mold; the water sits on the floor overnight and can cause rust to develop. God alone knows what other things are going to manifest with stagnant water in the car, for days now, even if it is fixed. Time and again, people have mentioned they've had this issue in other Acura models (since 2001) and Acura has done nothing in terms of recall or remediate this defect/flaw/whatever have you. Has anyone pursued legal action against Acura? I would like to take this further and want feedback on what has already been done, Acura's cooperation/lack thereof.

9 people found this helpful.
140

I have a 2005 Acura MDX that began leaking rain in the interior about three years ago. After going back and forth with various theories as to why this was happening, I tried to force the issue with our local Acura dealership, hoping they might recognize this as an inherent problem with this and other models. They did not accept that position, but I agreed to let them experiment with it. Several days with back and forth discussions, and about $500 in labor costs, they determined that there was a bad seal between the driver's side fender and the interior floor. So far, it appears the leak has been fixed. Of course, this seal was out of warranty, so I incurred all the costs. I shared with them that this should be considered a manufacturer's defect, as I have owned several cars of different brands, some over 30 years old, and NEVER have I experienced this problem...

6 people found this helpful.
40

I have a 2003 Acura MDX. Mid-Road trip I noticed that the windows were no longer fogging over and that the car was similar temperature to the outside. Then my passenger floor became wet in a rain storm....similar as the stories above. My process was: 1) Self analysis by opening up the flooring, pouring water over the car and identifying the leak spot. Right hand corner of the passenger side. (Tough spot to see). 2) Identified that the column that drains at the back of the tire was not plugged. (easily taken off and cleaned with 4 screws.) 2) I went to a Honda Dealership who inspected and replaced a broken drain hose from the sun roof. Good news the leak slowed down significantly. 3) Leak still remained and I nudged the dealership to look at it for free. Using camera and a lot of water they identified a slit in a seal. (The side of the car had hit a deer years before and the sealant had cracked in the cold - my assumption). 4) Following that I took it to an auto body shop who (after a good amount of time) found the leak and sealed it. 5) I check it quarterly, especially in the winter. Important take back: 1) The hose can crack over time from various reasons. (Common) 2) The column can be plugged and back flow into the Acura. Easy cleaning. (Common, especially in the snow and ice) 3) Previous body repairs can have an affect. 4) Hold your mechanics accountable for their misjudgment and work. You will get hours of free professional help after a misdiagnosis and waste of money. 5) I have heard of the A/C leaking. 6) If you have a leak and the insulation gets wet then freezes, it will take a lot of time to dry. I recommend heating the flooring and soaking with a towel and pressure. I hope this helps. Good luck.

4 people found this helpful.

Has anyone called acura? my mdx is a 2005 (almost 15yrs old) I doubt they will do any "good will" repair.

20

2008 Mdx, found water in passenger floor. Pull d the seats and followed the wet floors all the way back to the rear hatch. After pulling headliner and checking all the obvious possibilities, found my issue. The rear hatch hinges that are welded to the car, the welds are cracked allowing water into the frame. I can’t believe all the posts I am reading about weld issues with Acura’s. I don’t believe I’ll be purchasing an Acura again.

2 people found this helpful.
30

Acura MDX is a piece of junk. Will never buy one again. I had two areas leaking - by the brake pedal water was purring in when it rained. And the front headliner by the windshield on both sides. Acura said the drain tubes were clogged, could not be cleaned , had to be replaced at a cost of 500.00. What a crappy design. And now 6 months later, there is water inside the doors! I can hear the water sloshing around in the doors. What a piece of crap this car is

3 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 2012 Acura with only 35,000 miles. I travel a lot and leave car in driveway. There has been a lot of rain the last 3 months. My battery that was less than a yr old kept dying.. told it was defective and got another battery. Car worked for about 10 days. Then battery dead again and again.. Acura told me there was a clog in the sunroof drain that caused the fuse box and the audio unit to continually drain the battery. Cost is almost 4,000.00 which is ridiculous. Any suggestions on how to handle?

1 people found this helpful.

Install a battery switch as found in boats/rvs and switch the battery to "off" when you go away. Put a Battery Minder trickle charger under the hood if desired, will keep the battery at full charge. I believe the switch should be in the positve line but check with an auto tech to confirm

10

I have a 2005 acura mdx with wet floor mats on drivers side just want to sell it

1 people found this helpful.

I have the same problem with my 2001 MDX Acura Did not realize this was such a wide issue with Acura's. This has been a continual problem for me over the past year. So many possibilities don't know if I can or want to incur all that expense/time. May not really have much of a choice. However, all this info has been helpful for me - if nothing else it tells me this is a big problem with no easy solution. Jerry

40

I have a 2008 with these same issues- the problem is so bad that the drivers side floor is completely soaked and now frozen! Acura stonewalls any problem - loved this car in the beginning but would never buy an Acura again based on 1) Bluetooth being defective and draining battery for a year and a half until Acura found problem $$$$ they still don't admit defect in materials/workmanship and we have to pay 2) shoddy welding; the car shouldn't basically start falling apart 3) way too expensive for the quality. I just wish Acura would own up to their issues and fix problems quickly- Not happening in my experience

4 people found this helpful.
10

2001 MDX /145,000 /purchased recently in MI (was salvage from SC - no idea on damages - body & running cond. decent) Was getting water on front floors.. all door jams, windshield, dash, sunroof, headliner etc. always seemed dry /couldn't find source. Ended up noticing sunroof was loose - caulked the whole thing shut so it's no longer operational, and now I no longer have damp floors or have to worry about mold/mildew! Not ideal fix, but worked for me for price of sealant. (I never really used sunroof anyway,)

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

MDX

Looking for a Used MDX in your area?

CarGurus has 15,318 nationwide MDX listings starting at $1,200.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2001 Acura MDX

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Paul
    Reputation
    610
  • #2
    Fernando Martins
    Reputation
    410
  • #3
    Stephen Quade
    Reputation
    350
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Toyota Highlander
1,057 Great Deals out of 17,781 listings starting at $2,900
Used Lexus RX
798 Great Deals out of 14,251 listings starting at $900
Used Honda CR-V
1,929 Great Deals out of 40,647 listings starting at $1,200
Used Toyota 4Runner
1,008 Great Deals out of 20,368 listings starting at $1,950
Used BMW X5
846 Great Deals out of 13,035 listings starting at $1,555
Used Honda Accord
1,385 Great Deals out of 29,501 listings starting at $1,075
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
2,363 Great Deals out of 46,350 listings starting at $800
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
1,077 Great Deals out of 19,932 listings starting at $2,264
Used Toyota RAV4
1,788 Great Deals out of 29,710 listings starting at $2,495

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Acura MDX For Sale
29 Great Deals out of 9,069 listings starting at $44,800
2023 Acura MDX For Sale
50 Great Deals out of 519 listings starting at $38,991
2022 Acura MDX For Sale
79 Great Deals out of 1,025 listings starting at $27,500
2020 Acura MDX For Sale
121 Great Deals out of 1,593 listings starting at $19,995
2019 Acura MDX For Sale
30 Great Deals out of 459 listings starting at $16,985

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.