Is your window operable, or is it fixed? Just wondering if it's the weatherstripping around the operable window that you are referring to, or the seal around the fixed window.

 

Is your window operable, or is it fixed? Just wondering if it's the weatherstripping around the operable window that you are referring to, or the seal around the fixed window.

Didn't know some rear tailgate windows were a "fixed" window?? Mine opens/closes and is not fixed.

 

the glue hasn't dried yet, counter with the hot weather and there you have it. this happened to my other cars too.

 

Just discovered this identical issue on my 2011 HL base model (tech package). Actually, the dealer discovered it while inspecting small rust spots on the liftgate. The seal circumference was either never large enough, or it shrunk in the two years I owned the vehicle. I rarely open the rear glass or I would have instantly noticed it.... one corner was completely pulled out of the corner and there was a sizable entry point for water that runs down the outside of the liftgate behind the glass. The seal can be stretched so it kinda fits all four corners, but I don't think it will stay for long.

They ordered a new seal for me (under warranty).

Paul

 

Mine is the same way on our recently acquired 2010 model. Any idea on a replacement cost since there is no longer any warranty coverage on the vehicle?

A

 

Mine is under warranty so I do not know the replacement cost.

One possible zero cost option would be to cut the seal in the middle of the bottom portion and then slide it outwards from the cut. That would put the corners back where they belong, leaving a gap in the middle of the bottom, where it is least likely to be a problem. You might even be able to find some generic seal material and cut a small length to re-seal the gap.

I'm curious whether the seal really did shrink or whether it was never the right size in the first place.

Paul

 

My wife noticed rain seeping into the HL at rear glass window and it turns out the rear glass gasket has loosened and also seams too small for the opening. The tailgate door was replaced under the TSB and likely the gasket was re-used from the old door. Now the 3-year warranty is expired but I'll talk to the dealer just the same. You never know.

 

Well, here I am a year later. A year ago the dealer replaced my seal under warranty. I just noticed that the replacement seal is already starting to shrink. It has not fully pulled out of the corners yet but it is no longer fully seated either.

The skyward facing glass causes that area to get extremely hot in the summer and the heat seems to cause the seal material to shrink over time. Since it is not glued in place (at least mine is not), as the circumference shrinks, it will naturally pull away at the corners.

If mine gets bad enough I will order a new seal, replace it, and keep the old one. As the new one shrinks, I'll do what I said earlier.... cut the seal in the middle of the bottom span and insert a piece of the old seal. As it continues to shrink, I'll simply remove the inserted piece and replace it with a longer one.

Paul

 

Since it is not glued in place (at least mine is not), as the circumference shrinks, it will naturally pull away at the corners.

If mine gets bad enough I will order a new seal, replace it, and keep the old one. As the new one shrinks, I'll do what I said earlier.... cut the seal in the middle of the bottom span and insert a piece of the old seal. As it continues to shrink, I'll simply remove the inserted piece and replace it with a longer one.

Paul

I was wondering if the seal was glued in place. I like your idea to cut the seal at the bottom center as it is highly unlikely that water infiltration would occur at this location. Have you priced out a new seal?

More and more it has become readily apparent where Toyota cut corners in the production of this vehicle. Sad to say, but I'm likely one and done with Toyota. The vaulted Toyota quality is sorely lacking on this vehicle and I would not recommend purchasing one.

 

Found a schematic on the Village Toyota Parts website. The part # is 678820E020 and the price is $55.72.

 

Old thread bump! Just noticed this issue on my 2010 HL SE AWD


Starting to get a new impression of Toyota lol, coming from 20+ years of mostly Honda/Acura

 

Mine is doing it also!

Thanks for the thread bump. It brought this discussion to my attention and I checked my 2012's rear window hatch glass. Sure enough, it is shrinking away from the corners! I will order a replacement gasket but will most certainly save the old gasket to do the "put a chunk in the middle to take up the space" trick discussed earlier in this thread.

 

Thanks for the thread bump. It brought this discussion to my attention and I checked my 2012's rear window hatch glass. Sure enough, it is shrinking away from the corners! I will order a replacement gasket but will most certainly save the old gasket to do the "put a chunk in the middle to take up the space" trick discussed earlier in this thread.

Before replacing, I was thinking I might just try stretching it a bit once the temps warm up, then used some 3m trim adhesive to glue the corners.... or maybe just use 3m adhesive on a new one

 

Soak it in Aerospace 303 every 6 months

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant/

 

Soak it in Aerospace 303 every 6 months

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant/

This^^^

Twice a year a light cleaning / soaking when doing a detail keeps it soft and supple and in place. If it ever starts to sag, as someone mentioned above, a little adhesive and light stretching should be just fine.

 

Test drove 2011 Limited HL today and I couldn't believe the road noise in the cabin..I was very surprised as I had heard nothing but great reviews from highlander owners..maybe I Am simply spoiled because I am a Volvo XC90 owner and that vehicle is a beast..solid as a rock..but as I started researching "noise" issues it dawned on me that the vehicle I was driving also had the lift gate window seal issue mentioned in these posts...perhaps that was causing the undo road noise? Dealer said it was likely the tires but I can't believe tires would cause that much noise in a highly rated vehicle like the Highlander...I will go back and tell dealer to replace seals so I can give the HL a second chance.,,

 

The rear window seal is visible when you open the rear window on the hatch. You can literally press the little button on the hatch, lift it up, and see if it's created air gaps in the corners.


Sounds like your issue is tires and noisy road surface. You also are looking at a design that is 10 years old, so you might consider a newer model.

 

I wouldn't doubt it was the tires. Why not ask them to swap them out to prove it?:wink:

 

I have to say, my 2011 is so quiet, at times I think it's a hybrid!

And tires make a huge difference.

 

Unless you agreed to buy the HL with the caveat that they replace the rear window seal, I doubt they will replace it just on the potential to make a sale. Just my $0.02. Swapping out the wheels/tires with another set that is less aggressive and likely quieter may be more acceptable for a potential sale.

 

I have only had the car a year - it was my Daughter's family car so it spent its life in the NJ suburbs of NYC. She and her husband don't personally do anything to a car - routine service and repairs are done by the dealer and washes are done at a commercial car wash. So, I expect that seal has had zero attention since the car was new. To be honest, I had not yet learned that the rear hatch glass window could be opened, I thought it was just fixed into the rear hatch like most modern cars. Therefore, I had never cleaned or dressed it in the short time I've owned the car.

As far as what do I usually do - on a random basis, when washing the car, I will wash the inside of the door openings and also the weather strips, maybe once or twice a year on average. After cleaning the weatherstripping I treat it with silicone spray lube which prevents squeaking of rubber against the door or window and also minimizes the tendency for the weatherstrip to freeze weld itself in wet followed by cold weather, something we get up here in the NH hills somewhat frequently. It's a real bummer when you are frozen out of (or into) your car.

 

I think the Aerospace / lubricant I use prevents sticking or freezing from moisture but I don't know that for sure. Once your rubber trim freezes to your surroundings from moisture then all best are off, it will just tear away.

Perhaps GM can verify that the Aerospace prevents sticking and freezing from moisture.

 

I did check my seal. It was fine, all in place. The hinge creaked a bit as it doesn't get used in the winter. I sprayed with oil the pivot point and its quiet again. I usually go over those in the Summer when its hot and alternate between checking, lubing and having a cold beer. Its freezing here still. We had a brief glimpse of spring two days ago with sun and 7C. Snow again today.

 

Thanks for this thread. I was and am SO frustrated bc my 2007 AWD Highlander was AMAZING when I got it about a year ago. Replaced my Honda Element that was riddled with issues that should have been recalls. So new car is great, and then a Week ago suddenly it was damp, floors buggy, both alive and dead, stains on interior fabric floor to over my head. Then one day I heard sloshing in the back, and found a travel bin 2" deep with water. Carpet soaked. Seat edges and seatbelts wet, it kind of ramped up, so I kept thinking I didn't close the window/hatchback/sunroof properly or completely.

But no, my hatch window doesn't open. But when I was cleaning it out I had to turn the light on inside the car but close the hatch and UNBELIEVABLY there was NO SEALANT AT ALL for the 1/2" all around the top of the hb door itself! I could see the light coming out of the HUGE opening and I can only guess that there was a piece there that now is gone. Where it went I do not know! But the sealants all around car are coming loose and they weren't before.

I'm wondering if maybe it's the cleaning solution I used to clean the Interior or the windows. Bc it really did just disappear totally. I clean almost everything with one or more of : Lysol, Borax, Windex, or a multi-purpose "Totally Awesome Degreaser" and I probably sprayed the interior perimeter areas with bug spray due to the increase of them suddenly.

Maybe one or more of those actually is working to clean off the adhesive and loosen the rubber? I have to replace every single sealant in the vehicle, or repair with a stronger sealant than what's on there. Does anyone know if Any if those chemical cleaners disintegrates the glue and degrades the seals? And thank you all who posted so I know I'm not losing my mind. I need help quickly, please reply with any thoughts. It's raining here nightly and we live right next to a state park covered with huge trees. The car cost $6k when I got it and it's going to be destroyed for resale if I don't repair it asap.

Can I just epoxy down what's still near it's original spot? I also have the clear Dap Fast Dry Acrylic Latex caulk plus silicone. Is there anyone who knows for sure what adhesive will stay put permanently? We all live in the hot and the cold, and all the other cars are sealed up. My thought is a common cleaner we use for the interior unknowingly degrades some adhesive Toyota used on our cars. Maybe heat/cold escalates it. All I know for certain is that I can't deal with another lemon car right now! I thought I read the reviews on this car thoroughly for issues like these, but until I googled the problem specifically it wasn't showing in my search reviews. Please someone, perform a miracle and tell me how to fix this, fast!
Thank you!