1500 cab rear window water leaks

[Thi]

Any thoughts on my water leak? It seems to leak into the cab at the rear window seal (the big window, not the slider). Has this been a problem? If we pour water into the channel above the rear window at the upper, driver side corner (or at carwash or in the rain) then it leaks inside at the very top of the window. Also, we do not know where the stain on the headliner in that same corner came from. It does not leak right inside the third brake light so we don't think it's the light, and we haven't seen problems with the sliding window or drains. I attached three photos.

 

[RoanokeRam1500]

Just saw this thread and thought I would add my experience. Last New Year's day my 2019 RAM1500 locked up and the key fob would not work. When the door was opened, the security alarm would go off. All wheels locked to, and a tow truck with a dolly was needed to move it. Anyway, this had happened two months before and the dealer claimed it was an "ignition node" that they replaced. Well, this time the dealer eventually determined that the back window was leaking and that the water was dripping onto the radio hub which apparently sits on the driver's side back wall, and shorted it out. The truck has worked fine ever since, but I was without it for about a month. Very frustrating.

 

[Thi]

Any thoughts on my water leak? It seems to leak into the cab at the rear window seal (the big window, not the slider). Has this been a problem? If we pour water into the channel above the rear window at the upper, driver side corner (or at carwash or in the rain) then it leaks inside at the very top of the window. Also, we do not know where the stain on the headliner in that same corner came from. It does not leak right inside the third brake light so we don't think it's the light, and we haven't seen problems with the sliding window or drains. I attached three photos.

Dealership diagnostics found two leaks. One is at the third brake light. The other is a leak in the window seal. $2000 if they remove the window to reseal it and the window breaks, $1000 if the window doesn’t break. Basic warranty just expired for both time and mileage. Chatted with RAM and they said they can’t help me out at all, but “have a great day”.

 

[SD Rebel]

Dealership diagnostics found two leaks. One is at the third brake light. The other is a leak in the window seal. $2000 if they remove the window to reseal it and the window breaks, $1000 if the window doesn’t break. Basic warranty just expired for both time and mileage. Chatted with RAM and they said they can’t help me out at all, but “have a great day”.

There are some people on this forum that fixed the problem on their own, using sealant by accessing the top of the window frame with the 3rd brake light removed. They pour it from there and it usually fixes the issue, assuming the leak is coming from the top, either from a crack or sealant, which of course makes sense that's where it comes from.

Your 3rd brake light is an easy fix, many add a better thicker seal or silicone it preemptively. Either way, both fixes should only cost you a few bucks and just a little bit of your time.

I'll try to find the link of the thread where someone goes into detail on how they did the window frame sealant fix. It's honestly the process I would do, even under warranty, because I've found the window replacement rather invasive and can cause additional issues depending on how well the 3rd party window and dealership handle the repair process. Then even after that, there is no guarantee it won't break or leak again, whereas a top sealant application will likely be real fix.

 

[Thi]

There are some people on this forum that fixed the problem on their own, using sealant by accessing the top of the window frame with the 3rd brake light removed. They pour it from there and it usually fixes the issue, assuming the leak is coming from the top, either from a crack or sealant, which of course makes sense that's where it comes from.

Your 3rd brake light is an easy fix, many add a better thicker seal or silicone it preemptively. Either way, both fixes should only cost you a few bucks and just a little bit of your time.

I'll try to find the link of the thread where someone goes into detail on how they did the window frame sealant fix. It's honestly the process I would do, even under warranty, because I've found the window replacement rather invasive and can cause additional issues depending on how well the 3rd party window and dealership handle the repair process. Then even after that, there is no guarantee it won't break or leak again, whereas a top sealant application will likely be real fix.

Thanks for the info

 

[SD Rebel]

Thanks for the info

Absolutely, I found the link, here is some info, you can probably contact the person who posted this (response #70) for additional detail as well.

For the 3rd brake light, there are many threads and Youtube videos on how the tackle that one.

Rear window leak

Maybe the hellwig sway bar will help, it definitely stops a lot of the body roll, who knows? Was thinking this, it might, a little. I also wonder if people who off-road more, or just drive over rougher roads/terrain more often will be more likely to get this.

5thgenrams.com

 

[Thi]

Thank you! I thinned Permatex and dropped a small amount down the channel in the top rear of my cab where it got wet inside, and no more leaks!! (The dealer said my third brake light leaked- if I hosed only that area down, there was no leak, so I don’t believe the light actually had a leak, but the dealer just knew it was a common problem and thought he’d replace it.)

 

[My1stHemi]

I’m at 13mo and still no leaks after sealing the upper window/body seam.
I recently removed the rear seats and trim to install sound dampening material and saw no indications of leaks or water intrusion.

 

[SD Rebel]

I’m at 13mo and still no leaks after sealing the upper window/body seam.
I recently removed the rear seats and trim to install sound dampening material and saw no indications of leaks or water intrusion.

Excellent to know, may need this myself in the future, but glad people seem to be getting results from this DIY fix.