Leak - help

Jolberg · Wednesday at 5:39 PM

Hi all.
We discovered this leak today on our 2018 Ocean. Left hand side of tailgate. Never had the issue before. We do have a solar panel fitted but that’s been fitted for a few years already.
It is still under the All in warranty.
Any help on where this could be coming from would be really appreciated.
Sorry for the rubbish photos. Couldn’t find a way to add a video.

Viktorgeorge · Wednesday at 5:50 PM

Two possibilities, occur, though many have more expertise here than I do.

If it specifically occurred when it was raining (or you were car washing) the rear door seal perhaps needs adjustment, there are several posts about that. If, alternatively/strangely, it occurred in a dry scenario, do you have a OEM shower, or did you drain your clean water tank?

Meoncoast · Wednesday at 5:53 PM

In the past there has been issues with water ingress via the high break light lens cover.

WelshGas · Wednesday at 5:55 PM

From your photos the leak seems to be within the tailgate as it’s leaking out via the chair bag.
There are 4 points of entry .
1. Windscreen wiper seal.
2. Tailgate glass seal.
3. Rear windscreen washer, the pipe passes into and through the tailgate.
4. High level brake light, that has been problematic on the T5.

Jolberg · Thursday at 4:43 PM

Thanks for your answers. A bit of investigation needed.

cpaharley2008 · Thursday at 4:55 PM

That looks like it could be the high level brake light - that's a known weak spot on these vans. Since you're still under warranty I'd get VW to check it out properly rather than trying to fix it yourself.

Jolberg · Thursday at 8:47 PM

cpaharley2008 said:
That looks like it could be the high level brake light - that's a known weak spot on these vans. Since you're still under warranty I'd get VW to check it out properly rather than trying to fix it yourself.

Thanks very much. Will do that.

nomadicjonboy77 · 2025-12-15T06:02:00+0000

Another possibility.....do you have shower outlet at the back near there?

If so check the connection sleeve on shower socket has clicked shut properly. I had a leak here and turned out because it had not clicked shut properly, so every time I ran tap the pump was squirting water our if the shower socket!

Run the tap and see if water squirts out then fiddle u til.it clicks shut. I later got mine replaced under 3 year warranty.