I have a 2011 Kia Sportage 1.7 eco dynamic I have water in boot it's coming in from top in on drivers side as have wet patch on headliner at rear has anyone else had this and cured?
Hello. That's a great question, and it's a common one with SUVs that have a lot of roof rails and seams. It sounds like you've got a water leak, and you've already done some good detective work to figure out where it's coming from. The fact that you have a wet patch on the headliner at the rear on the driver's side points to a few common culprits.
- The roof rails. The roof rails on your Sportage are held on by a series of bolts that go through the roof. The bolts have a gasket or a seal that is supposed to prevent water from getting in. Over time, these gaskets can dry out, crack, or fail, which would allow water to seep in. You can try to tighten the bolts on the roof rails to see if that helps, or you can remove the bolts and add a little bit of silicone sealant to the gaskets to get a better seal.
- The rear window seal. The seal around the rear window can also fail over time. A small crack or a separation in the seal would allow water to get in and run down into the headliner. You can inspect the seal for any cracks or separations.
- The rear hatch hinges. The hinges for the rear hatch are also bolted to the roof, and the bolts have a gasket that can fail. You can check the hinges for any signs of rust or water leaking in.
The best way to figure out where the leak is coming from is to have someone sit inside the car with a flashlight while you use a garden hose to spray water on the roof. You can start with the rear window and work your way up to the roof rails. This will help you pinpoint exactly where the water is coming in. This is a very common issue, and you should be able to get it fixed without too much trouble.
