Rear cargo area leak driving me crazy - passenger side corner wet

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

YazBurak

YazBurak

Joined
Feb 14, 2026
Threads
5
Messages
21
Location
California
Hey beautiful people of ih8mud,

I’m trying to track down a water leak in my 2002 LX470 and could use some advice.

I’m getting water pooling in the rear cargo area corner (passenger side). The carpet and that side panel area get noticeably wet, especially after rain.

At first I thought it might be the 3rd brake light, since mine is cracked, but the water is showing up more on the side rather than directly in the center. That’s making me think it could be something else. Also if anyone found a good third break light, please send the link.

A few thoughts I had:

* Side tail light gasket/seal?
* Rear hatch weather seal?
* Water coming in from the 3rd brake light and traveling?

I haven’t done a full hose test yet but plan to soon. Before I start pulling things apart, I wanted to see what’s most common on these trucks.

For those who’ve dealt with this:

* Where did your leak end up being?
* Is the tail light gasket a common failure point?
* Did you replace the gasket or just reseal it?
* Anything else I should check while I’m in there?

I’m trying to fix this properly before it turns into rust inside the hatch. That being said, I was changing my third break light (couldn't because the one they sent me had different bolt spacing smh) and I could not see anything close to being rusty, this car spent most of her life in TX and CA so maybe the leak dried out fast but still.

If anyone has pics of where their leak came from or how they sealed it, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Also, the owner before me installed a rear camera. Ngl some people should stay away from electronics or touching the car because I can tell he didn't do a good job. I heard some people started having that issue after installing rear camera, what should I check if that's the case? Also my roof rack isn't in great shape, maybe that is the issue but how do I check that either? I really want to get a Dissent off-road Aluminum roof rack but I am going back to school and I can't afford it. I just changed my rims and tires. This car is so much work and money but god I love my car. I wish life wasn't this expensive.
 
A 3rd brake light leak would migrate to the corners. FYI I have a similar water incursion hiting the same place (Driver Side) that I'm trying to fix.
Even after replacing the 3rd brake light.
 
menancyandsam said:
A 3rd brake light leak would migrate to the corners. FYI I have a similar water incursion hiting the same place (Driver Side) that I'm trying to fix.
Even after replacing the 3rd brake light.
Click to expand...
It is giving me so much headache boss, I am supposed to go back to school and do not have the time to deal with these later so I am worried even when I change my light, it will persist. Lmk if you solve yours!
 
 
That 3rd brake light tends to be the cause from what I’ve seen on the forum.

However for me, it was the wiring from the aftermarket backup camera that the previous owner installed. The wire was too thick and prevented the weather stripping at the top from keeping a proper seal.
 
LC Lurker said:
That 3rd brake light tends to be the cause from what I’ve seen on the forum.

However for me, it was the wiring from the aftermarket backup camera that the previous owner installed. The wire was too thick and prevented the weather stripping at the top from keeping a proper seal.
Click to expand...
I actually think that’s the problem for me too, it is hard to tell before I fix the third light but most of the water feels to be exactly I’m the corner of the carpet instead of the middle or somewhere else and I didn’t see any water marks coming from the top. How did you end up fixing it, do I need to change the wires?
 
YazBurak said:
As soon as I change my third break light, will go through this video if the leak is persisted. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Click to expand...
In that video- he mentions the 3rd light leak as being misunderstood and actually finds the rubber weather seal as the failure point- buys new weatherstripping and solves the issue
 
YazBurak said:
I actually think that’s the problem for me too, it is hard to tell before I fix the third light but most of the water feels to be exactly I’m the corner of the carpet instead of the middle or somewhere else and I didn’t see any water marks coming from the top. How did you end up fixing it, do I need to change the wires?
Click to expand...
I actually just removed the entire backup camera system/wiring haha. I’ll eventually do a wolf box setup I think. Not sure how to prevent leakage though because the wire has to pass by the weather stripping regardless I think.
 
I remember someone posting they replaced the lower rubber molding or gasket on the 3rd row side windows and that fixed their water leak issue.
 
My hatch leak was fixed with a new OEM 3rd brake light. Took forever to clean the old glue off.
 
Mchodl said:
My hatch leak was fixed with a new OEM 3rd brake light. Took forever to clean the old glue off.
Click to expand...
How did you clean the glue off? Any methods you found? Is this the glue I need to clean before putting on the new one?

IMG_6157.webp
 
Hey Yaz and Menancyandsam, are you both in LA area? looks like we're all having the same issue, you guys want to get together on a weekend and see if we solve this? I got some sealant and beaded along the top 3rd break light and I think that took care of the top leak without replacing the entire housing.
I work in Burbank so easy to meet up.
 
landarcht said:
Hey Yaz and Menancyandsam, are you both in LA area? looks like we're all having the same issue, you guys want to get together on a weekend and see if we solve this? I got some sealant and beaded along the top 3rd break light and I think that took care of the top leak without replacing the entire housing.
I work in Burbank so easy to meet up.
Click to expand...
That would be incredible but I live in Bay Area and traveling to GA for school :( I am supposed to receive my new breaklight soon and will try to see if that fixes. I still think it is the rear camera causing it but can't be sure till I fix the upper part. I will document everything and will share with you tho!
 
trdcorolla said:
I remember someone posting they replaced the lower rubber molding or gasket on the 3rd row side windows and that fixed their water leak issue.
Click to expand...
Yep I can +1 this, I had the same issue and couldn't for the life of me figure it out until I realized it was coming from the 3rd row window trim. The trim has a few plastic snap/clip things like the interior trim panels and they all have a rubber/foam "washer" around their base that seal the area around the hole in the body that the trim clips snap into. If the washers/grommets are old they will allow water intrusion into that hole for the clips and some of it will leak out through the side cargo area interior panels
 
Had this for a while on a 2005 and found the foam /gasket around the 3rd brake-light deteriorating. Put a bead of clear exterior window silicone and lasted 8+ years- still going. No issues.
 
Last edited:
If you remove the trim, you can sit in the trunk and have someone spray water on your car. From the inside, you can see where the water is coming in. For me, it was 98% 3rd break light. Instead of the OEM gasket, I reinstalled w windoweld. OEM gasket was badly defective after 20 years. I also replaced both seals.
 
I have had 5 of "wet" trucks come through the shop. The weatherstripping around the hatch was replaced and stopped the water intrusuion in each instance. I did replace the 3rd brake light on my own LX, but that was due to it having a slightly cracked lens, not leaking.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom