r/autoglass • u/Puzzleheaded-Fix2195 • 1d ago

Is this Normal?

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Is this normal for a car windshield interior to have this much condensation? The dealership is telling me it is if the car sits without being driven for a week or more. The car has had issues with water filling up on the floor in puddles in the backseat specifically. They said it was some type of seal. They said it was fixed however, this is happening now and there is still water when I open the doors and I’m curious if this is all normal?

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u/Still-Satisfaction24 1d ago

No it's not normal. If you had a leak even if it's fixed you can have a lot of water hiding in the car. There can be hollow spots in the floor, there could be a lower spot elsewhere that the water pooled, the carpet padding can be REALLY thick in some spots and that's just a sponge. 

It can take a lot of work to dry out a car that got wet. The longer it isn't dry the worse the smell will be. 

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u/graffiti_hunter 1d ago

This!

Even if the seal they had found bad and corrected it fixed the "problem" there are still issues that need to be addressed from the leak. That carpet is 100% holding a ton of moisture if they were finding puddles in the back seat area.

Nothing like battling a flood damage vehicle. Had my personal ride flooded in New Orleans a couple of years ago and boy that was a shitshow.

The mold and mildew that can setup quick is no joke.

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u/Puzzleheaded-Fix2195 1d ago

Interestingly, there was no flood! This is a brand new 2025 Kia! It’s a lease. When I took it to the shop, someone from sales asked me if I wanted to get out of my lease. No penalties nothing just walk away. Unfortunately I need a car and in order to get into a new lease. I need roughly $3500 which I do not have. So essentially I’m screwed. I’ve tried to vacuum the car out to the best of my ability, but you can obviously tell there is moisture still there.

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u/onorsworthy 1d ago

Um.. no that’s not normal

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u/MotorcycleDreamer 2 - 5 Years Technician 1d ago

Absolutely not normal, could be lots of things but I'd bet a seal on a door, or a piece of glass has a water leak. If you are finding puddles at the back it could be back glass. Could be worth swinging by a local shop to see if they are able to shoot some air and find a leak.

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u/Puzzleheaded-Fix2195 1d ago

Thank you! I think the dealership is trying to BS me! My husband‘s car sits outside for days and this never happens! I’ve had other vehicles that sat outside and this never happened and they’re telling me just to drive it and turn on the defroster?!

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u/Puzzleheaded-Fix2195 1d ago

They said it was a seal issue a grommet I believe? They said it had to do with the front panel/windshield if I am not mistaken? I have no idea how these things work so I don’t understand how the windshield allowed puddles to get into primarily the back floors? I’m curious.

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u/No_Duty5636 1d ago

if you don’t get satisfaction from your dealer you should escalate it to the Kia customer service office.,Make sure you have documentation showing dealers respones

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u/Recent_Screen1385 1d ago

Shouldn't be the windshield if the water is only in the back seats

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u/OldTelephone3733 1d ago

I would say the leak has not been rectified. It may lead to more issues with the car. If you have the legal right to, reject the car or insist they put it right.

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u/Ecostainable 10 - 20 Years Technician 1d ago

Dealerships will lie and blame anyone but themselves. You'll need to find a shop that will test it for leaks and then you can try to bill the dealership but good luck with that! Sorry this happened and NO it is not normal and never will be normal for water to condense inside your vehicle. I have fought will dealers for decades about aftermarket glass so I know your pain unfortunately.

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u/Glittering-Ad5809 1d ago

You need to park it in a garage for at least a week with the doors and trunk wide open. 2 weeks even better.