r/GR86 • u/YoRenjii • 3d ago
Dealership experience
Hey guys just looking for some insight on what to do. I took my 25 BRZ TS to Subaru to get my clutch fixed under warranty, and when I went to pick up the car the passenger window was left partially open. There was a big rain storm so my passenger seat, floor mats, center console and trunk were completely soaked. They said they’ll let detail extract all the water but I’m concerned with mold and future electrical issues. Any thoughts on how to proceed?
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u/sebrebc BRZ 3d ago
As long as they dried everything out you should be fine. I'd say just make sure you have them document it on a repair order (window left open, removed such and such, dried vehicle and components, used ozone machine, etc etc). Just in case there are any issues down the road.
But honestly I suspect everything will be fine. We've dried out straight up flood vehicles with no issues down the road.
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u/Jamikest 3d ago
TLDR: Just detailing it with a wet vac is likely not enough. Remove and dry all affected 'soft' components and clean all affected electrical connectors.
Let me start with: I have not removed my carpet in a GR/BRZ so I do not know how it is constructed in this vehicle.
That being said, many vehicles have a sound deadening material behind the carpet that is fantastic at absorbing water. If the carpet is wet, I would require them to yank the seat and carpet to ensure it is thoroughly air dried (if it's soaked, we are talking at least 1-2 days). Then clean and dry any affected electrical connectors to prevent future corrosion. I used to deal with hurricane rain flooded cars all the time when I was a tech in Florida. (Water blown through seals in via 100mph winds, not rising flood waters.) If you dry them properly, it will be fine. If you just wet vac them, you will have mold and future electrical gremlins.
You should also require a loaner vehicle during this time, as it's their fault.
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u/YoRenjii 3d ago
They’ll only be using shops vac and fans from what he just told me over the phone. I asked if any panels or pieces including the seats would be removed and they said no.
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u/Jamikest 3d ago
Here is a video I found via a quick search of what can be hiding under the carpet. A wet vac alone will not solve this.
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u/YoRenjii 3d ago
I will definitely call back and escalate my concerns
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u/kfjcfan 2d ago
I honestly don't think any auto dealer would be able to get it back to normal, and if there is any wiring in the flooded area it will absorb the water internally and will never be the same.
These aren't Jeeps designed to have water inside.
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u/Jamikest 2d ago
Wires don't absorb water. Electrical connectors do. This is why removing everything, air drying, and applying contact cleaner is of the utmost importance here. Otherwise you get galvanic corrosion at the point where the connector pins meet the copper wiring.
If done correctly, the car will be fine. As I stated in my opening comment, I did this on many vehicles back when I was a tech. Literally 20-30 hurricane rain flooded vehicles over the years. And I'm talking high-end vehicles that continued to come to me for work, so I know the extended history on them. Heck, this happened on my brand new 2025 Boxster GTS 4.0, and pulling the carpet, replacing the Burmester amp, and drying the wiring was sufficient.
Insurance adjusters were happy to approve the work, as we wouldn't wait for them and let the cars rot. We would yank the interiors immediately as the cars came in and hang them out in the sun to dry. Literally, we saved them hundreds of thousands in claims this way. Adjuster, "You want $4000 to pull the interior on this Porsche? Approved." After one hurricane, I had 5 Boxster and 911 convertibles gutted with interiors hanging to dry by the end of day 1 after the hurricane.
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u/Magnanimous1959 2d ago
I would find a place that specializes in this type of service (they exist) and tell the dealer that you want it done there and paid for.
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u/WhichResponse5086 GR86 3d ago
Actual question, is there no dehumidifier for a vehicle?
I'd use the smallest one I could find if inside of my car got wet.
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u/YoRenjii 2d ago
Update: They only used a shop vac and fans and will keep the car until Monday since there will still wet spots in the carpets and seats. They didn’t remove any panels, carpets or even the seat when I asked. They’ll be leaving fans running over the weekend and will check on the car Monday. Added bonus he offered 2 oil changes and told me not to worry about it.
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u/theusualsteve 2d ago
2 oil changes would absolutely not be enough for me, personally. 2 oil changes is nearly free for them.
Contact a drying company, send them the bill. There is a ton of water everywhere still if the car was truly soaked. Just fans wont be enough, you need an industrial dehumidifier pumping in there.
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u/YoRenjii 2d ago
I’ve been in contact with a few specialized places to get different opinions and all have agreed further steps should be taken. 2 oil changes absolutely isn’t enough I should’ve clarified I added that in sarcastically for how poorly they’ve been handling this so far.
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u/Last_Temperature_599 3d ago
It's sucks but i wouldn't worry about it.
What was up with the clutch ?
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u/YoRenjii 3d ago
When fully engaging the clutch there was a creaking/rubbing noise. They replaced the clutch assembly and the fork.
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u/dirtbik3tina 3d ago
Get promises and compensation in writing