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Do JK's leak when it rains?

37K views 120 replies 89 participants last post by  Mobusaki 
#1 ·
Hello,

I have a YJ which leaks every time it rains, my girlfriend has her eye on a 2014 JK.

Has Jeep finally made them leak proof? Could anyone share their experiences?

Thanks
Addison
 
#5 ·
I figured that over the 21 years since I bought my 1995 YJ Sahara, they would have figured it out and solved the water issues. I just read a post here about a 2016 JK Lemmon law edition that had some serious leaking issues. I have accepted the rainwater. I told my girlfriend that I was not sure about the newer ones leaking, this might not be what she wants. I think that Jeep needs to come out with their own line of waterproof footware.
Thanks
Addison
 
#6 ·
Everyone I have met has a leaky jeep, soft or hard, some more, some less. I'm sure that some don't leak, but I think most do.
 
#7 ·
My 2009 JKUR leaked one time; I re-sat the freedom panels properly and it stopped. My current two Jeeps don't leak.

For those afraid to get wet, Jeep also makes steel-roofed models... :D
 
#8 ·
Well I have a 2016 jku softtop. 20000 miles on it and as long as I shut the doors solidly....it has never leaked. Talk to the dealers and most will tell you that the hardtop seem to have leak issues more than the soft tops. Aldo, most of the time the leaks are caused due to an alignment issue when your put the freedom panels on a little torqued. I did have a very minor leak once because I didn't put the door surrounds back on and tightness them back down correctly. I did do a little troubleshooting readjusted it and no more leak....hope this helps.
 
#121 ·
I test drove a new JK at a dealership. Asked the salesman how often they get customers bringing their jeeps in for leaks from the roof. "NEVER!" he instantly exclaimed. By the time we got back the hard top was leaking at the front by the rear-view mirror... I'm certain he lied through his teeth and knew it was a common issue. No surprise there though!
 
#11 · (Edited)
Some do, some don't.


I've had two JK's now and neither one has leaked.

My previous JK had a hardtop and a Bestop Supertop NX Twill (self-installed), no leaks with either one.

My current JK has a hardtop and the OEM Premium Soft Top, no leaks with either one.


With the hardtop keep the rubber seals clean and debris-free, follow the directions on how to properly install the freedom tops and be careful when storing them (and the hardtop itself) when not in use.
 
#15 ·
Two for Two no leaks my 07 and my 15
 
#16 ·
My 97 didn't with hard or soft top.

My 95 did when I got it two years ago, but now it basically doesn't

My JKU had one from the onset, but it was actually the HVAC tube not being installed properly at the factory. Since that was fixed it's been leak free.
 
#20 ·
One thing I've learned becoming a new jeep owner is that your top may leak, but it'd doesn't mean that something is broken or unfixable.

I bought a 2016 JKUHR with a hard top and it leaked the first rain, took it to the dealership and they replaced the front seal. The next time it rained, it leaked again. I was upset, but had read that if you tighten the two Targa Top Mounting Knobs too tight, it will cause the front part of the two targa top sections to leak. I loosened them a little and the next time it rained I had zero leaks and have had zero leaks since then. So some may have a defective top, but for me it was just a matter of over tightening the targa top knobs.
 
#22 ·
2012 hardtop leaked like a sieve (door seals, hard top panels, under the dash or around windshield) and was never resolved by dealer. 2014 replacement is dry! I have never taken the hard top panels off the 2014...don't want to risk water intrusion possibility.
 
#24 ·
I have a 2016 Wrangler i just bought in May. Mine does leak. I have a leak on the top front corner of the door and get drops of water running down the a pillar. This happens when I go through a car wash and also when it rains. The other issue I have is this. My driveway is on an incline. About 2 weeks ago I had left my Jeep in the driveway and it poured for like 30 minutes. About an hour after it stopped raining I went to run to the store. When I backed down my driveway and stepped on the brake before I went out into the street water streamed in through both the passenger and drivers side bolts that go up through the speaker bar into the freedom panels. It was literally a stream not just drops. Once I was in the street and started driving forward the first 3 or 4 times i hit the brakes to slow down or stop I had water leaking in above the rear view mirror dripping down onto the dashboard running down the radio and into the storage bin on top of the dash. I just dropped it off today for them to start leak testing and getting this fixed. Yea i know its a Wrangler but I did not spend over 40 grand on a vehicle to have water leaking in from 4 different spots period. I only get the bad leaks from the roof when its parked on an incline it doesnt happen if it is parked on a level surface. There is someone else on this forum that has the same issues they have tried fixing it 5 times and his Jeep has spent 45 days in the shop trying to fix it. He is now going after Jeep to get them to buy back the Jeep. I am hoping that doesnt happen to me seeing I just bought it but we shall see.
 
#25 ·
Do JK's leak when it rains?
Some do, some don't and it doesn't seem to depend on the model year.

Our 2013 with a hard top and 35,000 miles does not leak. We've had the top off a handful of times. I occasionally wipe some silicone spray treatment (spray in a paper towel and then wipe the seal) on the rubber seals. I'm not sure if it makes any difference but it sure doesn't hurt.
 
#26 ·
That's kinda like asking if you dribble after you pee.

My softtop leaked twice when new. dropped the top one day, then closed it at night... Never leaked again. 2 1/2 years good (possible reseat). although I probably have just jinxed myself.
 
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