Do You Have Water Damage in Your Subaru?

Published 5 years ago — by Lisa Federico

Do you have water damage in your vehicle?

Do you have water damage in your vehicle?
Photo Credit: Chris Ford

Weather can play a huge part in the condition and performance of your Subaru. With the high amounts of rainfall we’ve accumulated thus far (and the end of last year), it’s important to periodically check your vehicle for any signs of water (flood) damage.

Not only does this type of environmental damage that Mother Nature inflicts upon us cause possible performance problems down the road, but it also can make you sick, if water has permeated into your vehicle’s cabin causing mold and bacteria to grow within the carpet and ventilation system.

Here are a few things to check on your own, to see if your Subaru has any water damage:

Sight: Inspect the interior of your vehicle, checking under the seats looking for exposed unfinished metal to see if any of it looks rusted or corroded. Be sure to check around the doors, under the dashboard, on the pedals and on any latches. Look for any brittle wires under the dashboard and notice any moisture beads in any of your vehicle’s lights.

Touch: Press into the seats and carpet to see if it feels damp (you may want to use a washcloth or paper towel). Also check to see if any upholstery appears to be loose or stained. That can be a sign of water damage.

Smell: Does your vehicle have a musty, mildew scent when you’re inside the car? If so, you may have a mold problem.

If you notice any of these things, take your Subaru to an independent Subaru repair shop as soon as possible where they can inspect your car further. Water damage can cause mechanical (engine seizure/overheating, transmission failure, etc.), electrical (computer malfunctions, short circuited wires, etc.) and safety (ABS malfunction, rusted brakes/rotors, etc.) problems, as well as health problems mentioned above.


Search for a local, independent Subaru repair shop with Subaru mechanics that have dealer-level expertise at a fraction of the cost.