Back Window Issue - always wet after rolling down & up

[BertRunnerORP]

We purchased our 2026 4Runner TRD ORP on 1/10/26. I was showing my wife how the trunk window operates up and down at the dealership and noticed the window was wet when it came back up. I thought maybe the dealership had just cleaned the window and it was already wet.
I have since rolled the window down days later and it always return up wet. I pulled the little plugs at bottom of tailgate and didn’t see any water come out.

This is my first 4Runner so not sure if this is common or normal?

Any insight would be helpful.

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[CO/ZA]

This happens with every roll up/down window on any brand of car after you wash it.

 

[127.0.0.1]

it takes a while to dry completely

when the window rolls down it moves away from the seal so dirt doesn't
dig in and scratch the glass while it slides. that seal is a bunch of bristles
that hold onto water for bit and takes some time to dry out

 

[BertRunnerORP]

It’s been days since the car has been washed and the window still gets wet. Should I wait till summer time to expect it to dry quicker?

 

[Nodak]

could check the hatch drain holes and see if you can remove the plugs and if they drain out?

someone else posted this same issue, i would try to do a search in the forums.

 

[watchbuzz]

If it’s cold outside and you park outside it can take a while. Unlike the engine bay there isn’t a lot of heat either.

As it’s been mentioned… you can check the drain holes.

FWIW, you can often see moisture at the base of the passenger door windows glass as well.

 

[sstarrx2]

If it’s cold outside and you park outside it can take a while. Unlike the engine bay there isn’t a lot of heat either.

As it’s been mentioned… you can check the drain holes.

FWIW, you can often see moisture at the base of the passenger door windows glass as well.

Did you take a towel and dry it off before closing it again? Seriously have you driven automobile before?

 

[BertRunnerORP]

I tried rolling window down three days later and had the same result…window came back up wet.
The window was dry before rolling down and I had not gotten carwash for two days. It could just be the cold weather.

 

[Desmolicious]

Does not seem ideal that the tailgate would hold water like that.

 

[watchbuzz]

In my experience most of the moisture you see is in the seal which is a tad porous. VW window seals are similar.

If it bothers you, you can park it in the sun.

IMHO, this all sounds normal.

 

[127.0.0.1]

it is normal. my 99 does the same thing. water sometimes takes a while to dry
out especially on cold murky days

and for anyone wondering, doors are designed to ingress water and
route it to the bottom drains. doors are not weatherproof vertically

they are designed with non-perfect seals which is what allows the
glass to go up and down....so that lets water in and water is expected
to get inside them but they do prevent water from getting in the cabin

 

[Desmolicious]

it is normal. my 99 does the same thing. water sometimes takes a while to dry
out especially on cold murky days

and for anyone wondering, doors are designed to ingress water and
route it to the bottom drains. doors are not weatherproof vertically

they are designed with non-perfect seals which is what allows the
glass to go up and down....so that lets water in and water is expected
to get inside them but they do prevent water from getting in the cabin

years ago I bought an Oldsmoblie Regency 98 (I think that was the model) from a coworker to get me through a rainy winter. My only ride was a moto.
Huge boat of a car, but looked ok because it had a recent paint job. I noticed the doors felt very heavy and made a sloshing sound when opened or closed. I then noticed the drain holes on the bottom had been painted over!
Unplugged them w a screwdriver and gallons of rancid dark water poured out! It was strangely satisfying!

 

[127.0.0.1]

years ago I bought an Oldsmoblie Regency 98 (I think that was the model) from a coworker to get me through a rainy winter. My only ride was a moto.
Huge boat of a car, but looked ok because it had a recent paint job. I noticed the doors felt very heavy and made a sloshing sound when opened or closed. I then noticed the drain holes on the bottom had been painted over!
Unplugged them w a screwdriver and gallons of rancid dark water poured out! It was strangely satisfying!

rav4 gen 5 have a TSB for water in doors...the anti-corrosive wax they put in was overdone on a select few and the lower door seal drain holes can get clogged, making doors carry water and slosh. TSB is lean down and open up the drain holes and make sure they are clear

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