Condensation in Cabin? Normal?

Hey all, apologies if this is stupid or not in advance.

I noticed some serious condensation on the hidden boxes under the back seats, the backs of the seats, and on the metal frames of the seats. However none in other parts of the cabin, or the front. It’s been below freezing for a few days here and not we are getting above freezing with bright sun. Does it have to do with the weather, going from like really cold to warmer quickly? From a state that sees snow once every 5 years so not knowledgeable. Just want to make sure it’s not a seal or gasket problem. Would hate to end up with mold. I tried to capture some photos.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-brake-light-safety-recall.732883/

 

Thanks, my concern is that the truck is 4 days old. I’m not sure if this could be the cause as the headliner and everywhere else is dry.

 

makes sense. In that case, I have no idea. I would 100% take it to the dealership and have them identify and fix it.

 

Thanks for the advice! I’ll look into it with them.

 

When cold air touches something warm or when warm air touches something cold, water will condense on the surface

 

its probably just moisture from being in it. The next time you park it for the night leave a couple of windows (across from each other) open an inch or so and see if you still have the problem.

 

I always run my heater on fresh air and never recirculate. With your truck being 4 days old definitely take it to the dealer. Even if they say they can not find the cause, you should get a print-out (and have it documented in your records) listing your condensation concern in case there are future issues with moisture.

 

Sorry, don’t fully understand what you mean

 

Planning on mentioning it when I drop it off for tint in a few weeks.

 

That’s what I was thinking, but shouldn’t the cabin be sealed to prevent this? Our RAV4 was perfectly dry inside and was subjected to similar conditions.

 

Be sure you get a printed copy of a work order listing condensation. Good luck.

 

It’s not sealed. There are vents in the back wall that allow air to flow in and out so you can’t pressurize the cabin when using the HVAC and so it’s easier to close the door. Also when you open the door you let the warm/cold air in to touch the inversely cold/warm surface

 

You, your dog and yes even a wife expel lots of moisture all the time. When you are in a closed vehicle (particularly if not using the fresh air intake) that moisture has no place to go except to condensate on cold surfaces. Leaving windows open at night will allow that excess moisture to escape and will help you determine if it is the source (human) or just a symptom of something else - leak, etc.

 

That makes sense, I guess that could be the cause, icy to warm sun quickly, but I still feel like it shouldn’t happen.

or, I guess you’re getting at, when I opened the door, the inside of the truck was still so cold from a 25 degree night, that the 45 degree air caused condensation?

it just seem strange it would only happen in the rear on surfaces relatively closed off, instead of the whole cabin

 

also hit the AC button that will pull moisture out of the air while you drive

 

Fairly normal, you stated hot to cold and back, I assume you are parked in a heated garage out to cold left in cold temperatures for several hours than back to warm garage. First metal conducts temperature changes well. Any moisture in the garage is going to go attract to the parts you are talking about. It's going to sound strange but there are no thermal brakes in the frame and some of the parts mentioned. When you park in the warm garage for the night roll down the windows slightly get air to it. If you want don't let any thing that is damp you bring in stay in the truck , it won't dry, Over night. When you leave the garage into the cold drive with a window down about half way for a couple minutes. It will suck any remaining humidity out in below zero temperatures. For the theory on this go look up window manufacturer guide lines on getting moisture out of a house when frost and condensation forms on the windows in a home. When you leave the garage in the morning and hit the cold air I bet you get all kinds of frost on the inside windows it's going to anything metal as well. That reason for lowering one window.

 

This may come as a surprise for those who live in dry climates, but in many places there is always moisture in the air. Everywhere, even inside vehicles. The humidity is currently 87% where I live and there hasn't been a cloud in the sky for over 30 hours. The humidity levels will be the same inside all of my vehicles.

The AC on your truck also works as a dehumidifier. Even in the winter, even at 20 degrees, drive with the AC on, but with the heat set for hot or warm air. That will get the moisture out of your vehicle.

 

No, it makes perfect sense that it would happen there. The sun didn't hit that plastic in order to warm it up.

 

Actually I am parked outside. It was in the low 20s all night then got to a high of mid 40s with bright sun, so all the ice was melting. I opened the car door and it was already there, with a layer of moisture.

good to know, I’ll make sure to do that!

really? Yeah exactly, it was the plastic areas facing the bed, like right on that wall of the cab with no insulation etc. Lots of open metal there too. Going to check again this morning to see if it’s happening.
Even if it’s normal, This doesn’t happen in our other vehicle, and I should be able to store things in the cabin and not worry about them getting moldy I’d think.