I dont believe that is the case. I took the access panel off and where the hinges are, you can see right thru. I think its the ANGLE of the tailgate. It angled in at the top, so when water gets in the top, it runs down the inside of the access panel, if the seal is bad, than itll leak out at the bottom of the access panel, which is what is happening (I believe), This is the same thing that happened to the pass. side kick panel. So, it seems the seals are being asked to do alot. lol