2021 F-150 Passenger-side Leak

[MRNF150]

Well, I have read all the previous posts on leaks in the 150s and hoped to never be in the same boat. But here I am. We did not even notice anything was wet until I thought it smelled musty in the truck. The water was only on the passenger-side floor board, and down that side of the interior where the carpet drops off in the door frame. Nothing on the floorboard in the rear. There was a good bit of water. Wet/dry vac'ed as much as I could. Running a fan and have "damp rid bags" hanging in the truck. Those efforts almost have us dried out. I first took it to a small shop where we take our other vehicles. They did not see anything wrong with the windshield, no clogged drains they could find, no moisture on the firewall they could find, cab air filter was dry, no water in the doors, etc, etc. Their next suggested step was to dry everything out and put something down that would show water as soon as it happened again - to maybe have an idea where it was coming in.

In the meantime I have been calling Ford dealerships in my area. Two want me to bring in the vehicle and hope to get to it in a month. The other three were even longer. I did grab a spot and just plan on being without a vehicle for a while. BUT, all five dealerships consistently acknowledged it is a known issue with Ford trucks and also stated Ford won't cover any of it as I am out past my 36K miles. I know it could vary greatly, but does anyone have some numbers if they have had to shell out for this kind of diagnostic/repair. Just doing the basic math for labor if they look at it for a week, which two places said was common, and I am not even sure I wanna keep the vehicle.

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[Ford Motor Company]

Well, I have read all the previous posts on leaks in the 150s and hoped to never be in the same boat. But here I am. We did not even notice anything was wet until I thought it smelled musty in the truck. The water was only on the passenger-side floor board, and down that side of the interior where the carpet drops off in the door frame. Nothing on the floorboard in the rear. There was a good bit of water. Wet/dry vac'ed as much as I could. Running a fan and have "damp rid bags" hanging in the truck. Those efforts almost have us dried out. I first took it to a small shop where we take our other vehicles. They did not see anything wrong with the windshield, no clogged drains they could find, no moisture on the firewall they could find, cab air filter was dry, no water in the doors, etc, etc. Their next suggested step was to dry everything out and put something down that would show water as soon as it happened again - to maybe have an idea where it was coming in.

In the meantime I have been calling Ford dealerships in my area. Two want me to bring in the vehicle and hope to get to it in a month. The other three were even longer. I did grab a spot and just plan on being without a vehicle for a while. BUT, all five dealerships consistently acknowledged it is a known issue with Ford trucks and also stated Ford won't cover any of it as I am out past my 36K miles. I know it could vary greatly, but does anyone have some numbers if they have had to shell out for this kind of diagnostic/repair. Just doing the basic math for labor if they look at it for a week, which two places said was common, and I am not even sure I wanna keep the vehicle.

Good morning! Could you privately message us with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer so I can look into this leak concern? Thank you!

 

[PB2021]

I had a grommet under the passenger seat that is also part of a wire harness routing. It was tie strapped to wire harness but never pushed into floor under the seat and left a wide open hole to underside of cab. I found it early so no harm but there was already a little silt around hole where tiny amount of water had got in. Worth checking under your passenger seat. I found it looking under seat from the front of the seat. There was a flap of rug there you might need to bend up to see in.

 

[MRNF150]

I had a grommet under the passenger seat that is also part of a wire harness routing. It was tie strapped to wire harness but never pushed into floor under the seat and left a wide open hole to underside of cab. I found it early so no harm but there was already a little silt around hole where tiny amount of water had got in. Worth checking under your passenger seat. I found it looking under seat from the front of the seat. There was a flap of rug there you might need to bend up to see in.

Thanks, will do. Was at Ford today and the tech is super confident he found the issue. On the passenger side under the cowling, there are some additional small drains. I had no idea there were there, and if someone already pointed them out in a post, then I just did not understand where they were. They were clogged. No debris in the cowling, but this was deeper down in the cowling than you can even see - if that makes sense. Once he scraped out some dirt, water poured out. I will get a pict and post. He suggested more water to make sure all the crap is out.

I am also removing seats, pulling carpet, fans, and an 0zone generator for good measure.

 

[garagegymgoon]

I might have missed it in your post...but do you have a moonroof? If so...my 2016 moonroof had a crack in the track of it (I think thats what they said) and they had to replace the whole thing...If I recall corectly it ran me about $1,500 no warranty. It did completely fix the issue.

I had the same thing happening...passenger floor board was getting wet. Was running from the moonroof, down the headliner, down the a-pillar grab handle trim and then dripping onto the floor. Would be worse if I was parked on a decline as the water would flow forward.

 

[MRNF150]

I might have missed it in your post...but do you have a moonroof? If so...my 2016 moonroof had a crack in the track of it (I think thats what they said) and they had to replace the whole thing...If I recall corectly it ran me about $1,500 no warranty. It did completely fix the issue.

I had the same thing happening...passenger floor board was getting wet. Was running from the moonroof, down the headliner, down the a-pillar grab handle trim and then dripping onto the floor. Would be worse if I was parked on a decline as the water would flow forward.

No moonroof. I had one in two previous vehicles and never again. LOL

 

[garagegymgoon]

No moonroof. I had one in two previous vehicles and never again. LOL

Hahaha I said the same!!! New truck has no moon roof.

 

[Guzlo]

MRNF150 - Did you get a pic of the small drains that were the issue? I now have the same issue on my 2021 XLT. Will have to take it to the dealer in the next several weeks.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

MRNF150 - Did you get a pic of the small drains that were the issue? I now have the same issue on my 2021 XLT. Will have to take it to the dealer in the next several weeks.

Hi there, Guzlo. These side leak concerns doesn’t sound like something we want you to experience with your F-150 truck. Should you need further assistance, please send us a DM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer and I'd be happy to look into how I can assist you on my end. To send a direct message, just click on our username and select "Send Direct Message".

 

[JHager99]

Did you ever get a pic of the drains your talking about? I have a 21 xlt and same issue , i know dealer would be forever with this ,
And im out of the 3 years as well, thanks

 

[Guzlo]

Did you ever get a pic of the drains your talking about? I have a 21 xlt and same issue , i know dealer would be forever with this ,
And im out of the 3 years as well, thanks

Here is a video a repair shop has posted on the issue.



I have trees by my driveway like every house in my neighborhood and leaves, nuts , bird poop , etc fall down on the truck. This nature organic material that every other vehicle in the world can handle is deadly to Ford F-150's. Paid several thousand to replace the whole moldy carpet from water that leaked through the passenger side cabin filter. When I contacted Ford about what happened they responded this was from "Customer Negligence" not their problem. I take my truck to a Ford dealership for maintenance, they never told me leaves could be an issue in the engine compartment. So by design if water runs into the engine compartment and cannot run out the drain holes the secondary path is to run into the inside of the vehicle. Makes perfect sense.

 

[swade8557]

Have a 2023 Tremor now with the same issue. A few nights ago we had a hard rain and the next morning I had taken to the dealer to have serviced. When I picked it up I noticed a sloshing sound coming from my passenger side. Took off the door sill panel and sure enough full of water. Went right back to the dealer to see if they could help me out. Said I’d have to leave it for 4-5 days but they don’t have any loaners right now. Offered to have a lot porter meet me at the vacuum to suck out the water. Problem is the whole carpet up front is completely saturated and already starting to smell mildew ish. They vacuumed the water and then sent me on my way. Took it apart when I got home to pull the carpet back and get fans going. After multiple attempts to find the source of the leak, I gave up and ordered a bore scope camera and was able to find it. Looks like where the firewall, cowl and inner fender wall meet there’s a seem that has foam stuffed in it and body adhesive that did not get applied properly from the factory. It’s too difficult to reach to repair without taking the whole dash out and impossible to access from the outside. Now I’ve got to go the the process and not sure how to go about it because I’m at 40k miles now. I have an extended warranty but my dealer said that may not cover it. Any one else find that the body seem is the issue?

 

[CaliF150]

We had heavy rains recently. I park outside and wash my truck regularly. Just experienced this same issue passenger side all wet, wires all in water. What was Ford thinking here ? Anyways i dried all the water and tomorrow will try clearing out with coat hanger like in the video. Wondering what is the best way to clean up carpet from water before it becomes mold. I pulled a few plugs under the carpet to give it air

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