The apparently all too common water leak

[GM26J]

no leaks for me fortunately, but I don't plan to touch that 3rd brake light unless I absolutely need to

 

[Hydroblueguy]

Welp, my new $56k 21 BTS is about 2 month old and has 1500 miles on it and I got the water leak(s). Water seeping in from somewhere in the back of the cab. We had a nasty rain storm here the past couple days and got literally like 7 inches of rain in a 36 hour period. With all the Walter leak talk in the forums I decided to check my carpet. Up, its damp. I'm gonna take the seat out this weekend to do the back seat mod so I'm gonna start peeking around. I know the 4 major leaks, the roof antenna, rear sliding window, high mount brake light or the vents. I dive in first because I cant stand leaving it at the dealer. I'll see what I come up with

I’ve seen many stories like this. But then I see where people say ram has fixed the issues from the early 5 th gen builds and in my opinion it’s not true. It’s like they know they have several issues and haven’t done much to fix them! My 19 was bought back under lemon law after a year of headaches and several trips to 3 different dealers. Finally ram sent a specialist out who determine my truck was way out of spec for allowed vibrations. This after new front end parts and 7 tire balances in under 8000 miles. Anyway I still see people today with the same issues, my story to a T and that’s over 2 years between my 19 build. I realize all vehicles can have issues, but it’s very disappointing when these new rams have been in production since late 2018 and the 21’s are having all the same issues, that’s what I do have a problem with! I had a 21 ram built as I do think they are one of the nicest truck on the road, when they are not having annoying issues! My 21 has 6300 miles and so far no issues that I know ofI will not keep it past the 3/36,000! Good luck with your water leaks, it really sucks when you have a new $60,000 truck with issues

 

[Rlaf75]

I’ve seen many stories like this. But then I see where people say ram has fixed the issues from the early 5 th gen builds and in my opinion it’s not true. It’s like they know they have several issues and haven’t done much to fix them! My 19 was bought back under lemon law after a year of headaches and several trips to 3 different dealers. Finally ram sent a specialist out who determine my truck was way out of spec for allowed vibrations. This after new front end parts and 7 tire balances in under 8000 miles. Anyway I still see people today with the same issues, my story to a T and that’s over 2 years between my 19 build. I realize all vehicles can have issues, but it’s very disappointing when these new rams have been in production since late 2018 and the 21’s are having all the same issues, that’s what I do have a problem with! I had a 21 ram built as I do think they are one of the nicest truck on the road, when they are not having annoying issues! My 21 has 6300 miles and so far no issues that I know ofI will not keep it past the 3/36,000! Good luck with your water leaks, it really sucks when you have a new $60,000 truck with issues

I totally agree. My 11 Bighorn never had a problem. I'm hoping this 21 is fixed because I love the truck. I think they are great looking trucks and it rides fantastically. I could understand if this was a first year model but it's not. The problems with water have been around since the 4th generation trucks. One would think that these 5th gens would be like a submarine by now. I dont know if its quality control, design flaws or what but it really needs to stop

 

[cevans6318]

Don’t feel bad. My 2021 has 800 miles right now and two weeks ago I found the back wall behind the seats wet. Only noticed that after I came home and found the front windshield all fogged up after it but had been raining. After looking around the truck this was the first thing I noticed with the third brake light. The seal is folded over on the right side. Since I use my truck for certain things I’ll pay the $35 for a new brake light and put it on myself before I take it in for warranty for just that. I am also a tech at a dealership and I see the quality of work that a lot of technicians do so that’s another reason I’m very iffy to take my truck in for warranty. Only time I will take it in is when it’s an expensive problem. But it’s just kind of disappointing that the ram trucks are continuing to have water leak problems going back into 2018 and 2019 and it be in the same parts that are failing. I bought this truck to avoid having these kinds of problems

 

[Scram1500]

It would be nice if there wasn't a gaping hole behind the brake light. If they stamped a pocket the leak would never happen, but then they wouldn't be able to save a dollar on 4 square inches of sheet metal

 

[cevans6318]

Anybody else trying to get their third brake light replaced right now? Being told it’s on back order.

 

[RamCares]

Hello @cevans6318,

We're sorry to hear about your back ordered parts concern and would like to look into this and see if we can assist in expediting what you need. Please send us a private message with your vehicle's model year and mileage as well as any additional information regarding your parts order for us to assist. Thank you!

Hannah
Ram Cares

 

[Rlaf75]

Anybody else trying to get their third brake light replaced right now? Being told it’s on back order.

There are threads floating around showing how to replace the gasket for the brake light yourself for like $10. I know it sucks to spend your own money to fix a truck that should be water tight by now but at least other things wont get wet and damaged if you do it yourself

 

[Mizzou.Mike]

I have had the back window on my 2020 limited replaced twice. I just had to take the truck back in again because it was leaking water again. This time though they say it is the 3rd brake light so they put a new one in with a new gasket. I go outside this morning and the the headliner is wet again. My first ram was a 2020 built to serve and I didn't have any problem with it. This limited has been a lemon so far.

 

[Rlaf75]

I have had the back window on my 2020 limited replaced twice. I just had to take the truck back in again because it was leaking water again. This time though they say it is the 3rd brake light so they put a new one in with a new gasket. I go outside this morning and the the headliner is wet again. My first ram was a 2020 built to serve and I didn't have any problem with it. This limited has been a lemon so far.

Seems to be a problem still after decades of complaints

 

[cevans6318]

So I had ordered another brake light, less then $30 from my job. Apparently what I thought was a folded over gasket on my third brake light is just an outer gasket on the light. Still has an inside gasket. Not sure if this is an update to the older brake lights, the one I ordered did not have the outer gasket. Was a different part number but the part was ordered based on the VIN. Anyway I reinstalled the light. Removed the back wall liner on the truck and am going to leak test it here in a few days, unless it rains and I can see anything obvious. Truck is brand new but I will not take it in and let it sit at the dealer for weeks if this is something I can fix for free or a small amount of money. I am a tech and see the quality of work out there, refuse to let me truck get messed up by s**t techs. Now if the window is leaking I will obviously take it in but for something cheap, Ill do it myself

 

[Rlaf75]

So I had ordered another brake light, less then $30 from my job. Apparently what I thought was a folded over gasket on my third brake light is just an outer gasket on the light. Still has an inside gasket. Not sure if this is an update to the older brake lights, the one I ordered did not have the outer gasket. Was a different part number but the part was ordered based on the VIN. Anyway I reinstalled the light. Removed the back wall liner on the truck and am going to leak test it here in a few days, unless it rains and I can see anything obvious. Truck is brand new but I will not take it in and let it sit at the dealer for weeks if this is something I can fix for free or a small amount of money. I am a tech and see the quality of work out there, refuse to let me truck get messed up by s**t techs. Now if the window is leaking I will obviously take it in but for something cheap, Ill do it myself

The 3rd brake light does have that extra piece of gasket on the top side only which I noticed when I took mine out thinking it was possibly that that was leaking. I did the exact same thing you are doing for the exact same reason as you. I could not find any water with the hose so I put it all back together and took it in. As I mentioned earlier in this thread they replaced the rear slider which turned out wasnt the problem. They then found the seal around one of the cab vents that was folded over. Since I got it back I washed the truck a couple times and no water was leaking. Unfortunately it hasn't rained significantly enough since to really tell if it's fixed or not. Good luck

 

[cevans6318]

The 3rd brake light does have that extra piece of gasket on the top side only which I noticed when I took mine out thinking it was possibly that that was leaking. I did the exact same thing you are doing for the exact same reason as you. I could not find any water with the hose so I put it all back together and took it in. As I mentioned earlier in this thread they replaced the rear slider which turned out wasnt the problem. They then found the seal around one of the cab vents that was folded over. Since I got it back I washed the truck a couple times and no water was leaking. Unfortunately it hasn't rained significantly enough since to really tell if it's fixed or not. Good luck

makes me think they have updated the design to include an extra gasket. The part number of the light on the truck was 68298380AG, but the one ordered per my VIN was 68298380AE. Inside gasket did not look bad, reinstalled the light and will return the other one. It is supposed to rain alot this week so will give me a chance to see something, if I do. Cap vents look fine. Didn't have a chance to leak test it yesterday, got lazy.

 

[Klicht87]

I had my LED/Camera third brake light replaced because it was leaking. I took it out and it definitely was coming from that spot. Dealership replaced it under warranty and I asked if anything changed to prevent this from happening and the tech overheard me and said the gasket was bigger/different. I didn't set my eyes on it but so far no issue. Luckily I have a black headliner so it didn't stain, even after the hurricane we had a few months ago.

 

[Rlaf75]

Update....
After the dealer replaced the slider for no reason and then the next day a cab vent that had the seal folded over it appears to be fixed. It rained all night and it seems to be dry. I will continue to monitor it but I think I'm good.

 

[firemedic10584]

I know I stated this earlier in this thread, but for those who may not have seen it. When I bought my current 2021, a couple of days after buying it I immediately got on Amazon and ordered a thicker, RUBBER gasket and replaced the factory one on the brake light. The foam gasket would absorb water and allow it to drip into the large hole right onto the headliner behind the brake light. So far, I have had zero leaks and have been in some pretty good Florida rainstorms. Keeping my fingers crossed though.

 

[JBV]

i took delivery a couple weeks ago of my new Ram. it was pouring rain and has been pouring and storming almost constantly since then. there was an afternoon break in the weather last week and i decided to pull the 3rd brake light out just to have a look. (no leaking issues so far, no damp spots that i can find anywhere) 4 screws and required a good tug to get it free. the top gasket looks to be mostly a debris shield which forms a semi circle. the gasket itself was a foam rubber, non porous and had an upper and lower lip. it was completely dry around the inside of the opening and i could see where the dirt had been flowing around the gasket. cleaned that and reinstalled the light being careful on the torquing of the screws.

we are approaching record rainfall for October and the weather bombs will be rolling in off the ocean all winter. i hope the rear window and vents are sealed as well as the light as so far it's inspiring confidence.

 

[firemedic10584]

i took delivery a couple weeks ago of my new Ram. it was pouring rain and has been pouring and storming almost constantly since then. there was an afternoon break in the weather last week and i decided to pull the 3rd brake light out just to have a look. (no leaking issues so far, no damp spots that i can find anywhere) 4 screws and required a good tug to get it free. the top gasket looks to be mostly a debris shield which forms a semi circle. the gasket itself was a foam rubber, non porous and had an upper and lower lip. it was completely dry around the inside of the opening and i could see where the dirt had been flowing around the gasket. cleaned that and reinstalled the light being careful on the torquing of the screws.

we are approaching record rainfall for October and the weather bombs will be rolling in off the ocean all winter. i hope the rear window and vents are sealed as well as the light as so far it's inspiring confidence.

I'd watch your third brake light now. A lot of people say once they broke that factory seal, that's when the leaks began. Just keep an eye on it.

 

[cevans6318]

I don't understand why they couldn't have just had a sealed spot for the light. its completely open into the vehicle. I feel the engineers could of drilled a small hole in the body to run the harness through to the third brake light and used a plug to seal the hole.

 

[Rlaf75]

I don't understand why they couldn't have just had a sealed spot for the light. its completely open into the vehicle. I feel the engineers could of drilled a small hole in the body to run the harness through to the third brake light and used a plug to seal the hole.

As a mechanic for almost 30 years I'd like to beat the living $h!t out of some of these engineers that design a lot of vehicles lol