I Opened My Honda CR-V Rear Hatch and It’s Peeing All Over My Leg, the Dealer Claims They’ve Never Seen This Before, Has Anyone Else Had This Happen?

A new Honda CR-V is swishing, spilling, and 'peeing' water from its trunk, and even the dealership is stumped. So, where is the water coming from? 

Jennifer Powell on the Honda CR-V 2023-2026 Discussion Club - 6th Generation Facebook page says, 

"Has anyone else had this happen on their CR-V??? I have a 2024 Honda CR-V hybrid sport. Sometimes when I turn hard, I can hear water swishing in the back of my car. Then, when I open the hatch, the water will spill out of that area in the picture. Then, when I tilted the hatch closed a little, my CR-V was peeing all over my leg, like in the video. Any advice or tips on how to fix is appreciated!! The advisor at a Honda dealership said he's never seen this happen before."

The Case of the "Peeing" CR-V: Why Water Pools and Spills from the 2024 Honda CR-V Liftgate.

It sounds like something out of a comedy sketch: a brand new $35,000+ crossover that "pees" on your leg when you close the hatch. But as Jennifer Powell and countless other new 6th-generation Honda CR-V owners are finding, the laughter stops when you realize that water is pooling inside the liftgate structure.

If you've noticed that sloshing sound, or if you're asking yourself, "Why is water swishing in the back of my new Honda CR-V after a heavy rain or car wash," you are experiencing a failure in the liftgate's primary drainage system. This isn't a design flaw, per se, but rather a functional bottleneck that needs attention.

The Core Problem: Blocked Pathways, Not Failed Seals

When you pop the hatch, the upper section (the rear window and surrounding metal) is designed to collect water. This is normal. The water should then be channeled through small drainage holes or tubes located at the bottom edges of the liftgate's inner skin, directing it harmlessly outside the vehicle body.

The issue Jennifer described—the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport liftgate water drainage issue—occurs when these drain points become blocked.

What's Happening Inside the Liftgate?

• The Accumulation: Over time, fine dust, debris, pollen, and even tiny insect nests get washed down the liftgate's interior channels and accumulate at the exit points. Since the hatch is mostly sealed, this trapped debris clogs the small drainage channels or rubber grommets.
• The Swish: Rainwater enters the channels, but because the exits are blocked, the water level rises inside the metal structure, creating the "swishing" sound Jennifer heard when turning hard.
• The "Peeing": When Jennifer slightly tilted the hatch to close it, she changed the vehicle's angle, causing the pool of trapped water to suddenly rush past the blockage and spill out, often onto the bumper or, unfortunately, onto her leg.

This is more serious than a simple puddle. We need to focus on preventing body rust due to the Honda CR-V liftgate drainage failure. Persistent standing water can lead to corrosion and electrical issues down the road, especially in the wiring harness that runs through the hatch.

Solutions and Practical Takeaways

Here's my expert advice, tailored for the CR-V owner who wants a complete solution, not just a quick fix:

1. The DIY Drain Clearing

The quickest and easiest solution for fixing a clogged drain tube on a 6th-generation Honda CR-V is clearing the blockage yourself.

Locate the Drains: Open the liftgate fully. Look carefully along the bottom, inner edge of the hatch itself (the metal frame near the latch mechanism, but up higher). You will likely find one or two small drain holes, often covered by a rubber grommet, on the left and right sides.

Clear the Debris: Do NOT use sharp metal objects like coat hangers, as you risk puncturing or damaging the channel lining. Instead, use one of the following:

Trimmer Line: A piece of plastic garden trimmer line (weed whacker string) is flexible yet stiff enough to snake through the channel.

Low-Pressure Air: A compressed air duster (the kind used for cleaning electronics) applied gently to the drain hole can sometimes push the debris out.

Water Flush: Once the obstruction is cleared, use a small squirt bottle to gently introduce clean water into the channel. You should see it drain out immediately and cleanly below the rear bumper area.

2. The Dealership Approach

While the advisor claimed ignorance, this is precisely the kind of manufacturing or assembly issue that should be covered. If you find yourself hunting for a non-existent Honda CR-V rear hatch water leak technical service bulletin (TSB), don't panic. TSBs often lag behind customer complaints.

Your Strategy: Clearly articulate the problem. Tell the dealer: "The liftgate drain channels are blocked, causing water to pool inside the hatch structure, leading to a sloshing sound and spillage upon opening/closing. This is a factory drainage failure, and I request a service technician clean the drain passages and inspect the surrounding weatherstripping under warranty." This helps them bypass the "never seen it" response.

3. Long-Term Prevention

As I noted in my recent article on Honda long-term maintenance, routine inspection is key. If you are looking for Expert solutions for Honda CR-V water pooling in the trunk area, add drain channel checks to your maintenance routine, especially if you park under trees.

This issue has been seen across the model line, affecting not just the Hybrid Sport but also the EX and EX-L trims. This highlights the common water leak spots in the 2023 Honda CR-V and how to repair them, which is relevant to all owners of the new generation.

What the Community is Saying

The response Jennifer received from the Facebook group is typical across forums: the dealer is often the last to know, while fellow owners are the first to diagnose. Here are some representative comments from owners facing the same issue:

Reddit User_Kilo (r/crv): "Happened to my '23 EX-L. The dealer finally found a clump of pine needles and crud in the drain tube near the hinge. It was totally hidden. They snaked it out, and it's been fine ever since."

HybridLife: "Same thing, different car (2022 Civic Hatchback). Honda used to have little rubber plugs on the drain exits that acted like one-way valves, but they collected dirt. It sounds like the same poor design is back."

CRVGuyTX Forum: "I used a piece of nylon fishing line. Took me 15 minutes. It's definitely a clogged channel, not a bad seal. That dealership needs to check their service manual for liftgate drain diagrams."

Conclusion

The sloshing sound is a clear signal: your 2024 Honda CR-V is holding onto water where it shouldn't. Jennifer's experience—and the collective wisdom of the CR-V Discussion Club—proves that this is an issue requiring owner awareness and clear instruction for the dealer.

Don't let this minor drainage glitch become a major headache. Take swift action to clear those drains, whether you do it yourself with a piece of trimmer line or escalate the demand to your service department using the specific language we've outlined above.

Questions For You

If you have experienced this liftgate water pooling issue on your 6th-generation CR-V, how did your local Honda dealership ultimately respond to the problem, and what specific repair did they perform? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Honda CR-V story: My Honda CR-V’s Brakes Suddenly Slammed On, and the Car Wouldn’t Move, Everyone Told Me To Get A Honda, Because They’re Great Cars, I Totally Disagree

I'm Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012, bringing over 30 years of automotive expertise to every story. My career began with a consulting role for every major car brand, followed by years as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles—equipping me with a wealth of insider knowledge. I specialize in delivering the latest auto news, sharing compelling owner stories, and providing expert, up-to-date analysis to keep you fully informed.

Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram

Photo credit: Denis Flierl Jennifer Powell