In Depth Discovery Project to find where the water is going in my 2019 RAM 1500 w/ 34k miles. I am coming up with nothing and need your help.

[thabiiighomie]

I have been dealing with a leak since I purchased the vehicle new. 3 dealerships have looked at it. One denied any leak. One replaced the rear windshield and third brake light. The last dealership replaced the rear windshield again. Well it’s starting to smell BAD again, so I took it upon myself. I removed the seats and panels and started to spray down the vehicle. I removed the third brake light, which was 100% dry with a new, healthy gasket. I inspected the interior of the shark fin antenna and it’s perfectly dry with no water damage or rust.

I have visible rust under my driver’s seat. I have had 3 flashlights experience corroded batteries. I have had major smell issues after every rain or car wash. I keep this thing immaculate aside from this issue.

When I removed everything I found a tiny little drip at the bottom of the rear windshield. This most recent dealership marine caulked the entire perimeter of the glass (good luck removing that). I’m dropping it back off to them tomorrow. This drip/flow does not seem to be going anywhere. I have dry, dusty metal panels, but somehow my seats smell awful. My carpet has NEVER been wet. No obvious mold or water damage.

I run a dehumidifier in the cabin every once in a while and it barely collects 5 oz of water after 24 hours.

What the hell is going on?

 

[bill-e]

Maybe it's not water???. Dead mice in the seats? Have you run an Ozone purifier in it?

 

[mikeru82]

The most common areas for water intrusion are the 3rd brake light and the rear window, and it sounds like you've eliminated those as a cause (although if there are water drops on the rear window frame I suspect it's still leaking somehow). Other lesser causes are the shark fin, rear cab vents, sunroof drains, and cab pinch welds. The last item was mostly on 2019 quad cab models IIRC. No way for us to tell you if it's any of those things, but at least you can try checking them yourself.

 

[Cbty2050]

Your seats smell awful?

 

[RamCares]

Hey there,

We're terribly sorry to hear that you're experiencing this. If you'd like some assistance with diagnosing your vehicle, please reach out to us via direct messaging. We'd be happy to help.

Callie
Ram Cares

 

[Joecard]

My 2018 Ram is also leaking,took it in to a dealer an wanted 2k to replace the rear glass,so decided to research myself..I found the leak coming from the rear panel weld area @RamCares help only 60k miles ( replaced the crankshaft at 58k miles due to loud ticking 5.7 hemi) was covered under powet train warranty.

 

[theblet]

Check the shark fin. There’s also a vent on the back of the cab to look at.

 

[thabiiighomie]

Maybe it's not water???. Dead mice in the seats? Have you run an Ozone purifier in it?

I have ran an ozone purifier. The smell comes back every rain or wash. Just got my 4th rear windshield. Rained today. Still smells.

 

[thabiiighomie]

The most common areas for water intrusion are the 3rd brake light and the rear window, and it sounds like you've eliminated those as a cause (although if there are water drops on the rear window frame I suspect it's still leaking somehow). Other lesser causes are the shark fin, rear cab vents, sunroof drains, and cab pinch welds. The last item was mostly on 2019 quad cab models IIRC. No way for us to tell you if it's any of those things, but at least you can try checking them yourself.

I feel the smell is coming from the sunroof but every time I test the drains they seem to work. Last trip to the dealer for my 4th rear windshield was two weeks ago. I opened the sunroof because the vents were loud and I wanted air flow in the cabin. Got sprayed with nasty water sitting in my sunroof. The dealership and a third party vendor both ran stress tests. Nothing showed.

 

[thabiiighomie]

Your seats smell awful?

Seats and carpet look new, smell new, and feel new. The smell can only be found in the air dampener for the sun roof. No stains on my ceiling either.

 

[thabiiighomie]

Check the shark fin. There’s also a vent on the back of the cab to look at.

Vents are dry and dusty. Shark win secure and dry after 6 days of pouring rain. I let it sit out in the rain instead of the garage and would periodically pull it in to test out everything.

 

[thabiiighomie]

My 2018 Ram is also leaking,took it in to a dealer an wanted 2k to replace the rear glass,so decided to research myself..I found the leak coming from the rear panel weld area @RamCares help only 60k miles ( replaced the crankshaft at 58k miles due to loud ticking 5.7 hemi) was covered under powet train warranty.

Where can I find that leak. Any pictures?

 

[thabiiighomie]

Hey there,

We're terribly sorry to hear that you're experiencing this. If you'd like some assistance with diagnosing your vehicle, please reach out to us via direct messaging. We'd be happy to help.

Callie
Ram Cares

You can call or text me. 513-560-1954.

I am at the point I’m just about ready to cut my losses. I’m $76,000 all in on this truck. Only owe $19,000, but am seriously considering selling for a huge loss as not to be miserable. This has been well over a year. 3 different dealerships. 4 rear windshields. 2 third brake lights. I’ve removed the seats myself twice to find leaks that the dealer could not. Now my sunroof is holding water.

2019 RAM 1500 with 34,000 miles. Garage kept.

 

[RamCares]

You can call or text me. 513-560-1954.

I am at the point I’m just about ready to cut my losses. I’m $76,000 all in on this truck. Only owe $19,000, but am seriously considering selling for a huge loss as not to be miserable. This has been well over a year. 3 different dealerships. 4 rear windshields. 2 third brake lights. I’ve removed the seats myself twice to find leaks that the dealer could not. Now my sunroof is holding water.

2019 RAM 1500 with 34,000 miles. Garage kept.

Hey there,

We are sorry to see this. Though we would love to assist you, as the Social Engagement Team for Ram, we are unable to communicate by phone. If you'd like to speak with someone on the phone, please call 1-866-726-4636 for assistance.

Callie
Ram Cares

 

[thabiiighomie]

Hey there,

We are sorry to see this. Though we would love to assist you, as the Social Engagement Team for Ram, we are unable to communicate by phone. If you'd like to speak with someone on the phone, please call 1-866-726-4636 for assistance.

Callie
Ram Cares

I followed your instructions and have not heard back. That was Monday. Seems typical of Ram. I wish I didn’t own this vehicle. FHA doesn’t care at all.

 

[RamCares]

I followed your instructions and have not heard back. That was Monday. Seems typical of Ram. I wish I didn’t own this vehicle. FHA doesn’t care at all.

Hey there,

We don't see a message in our inbox from you. We would be happy to get you some assistance, however we don't see your response. Please know that for the fastest assistance, you can always reach out to us at 1-866-726-4636.

Callie
Ram Cares

 

[Darksteel165]

I followed your instructions and have not heard back. That was Monday. Seems typical of Ram. I wish I didn’t own this vehicle. FHA doesn’t care at all.

Sounds about right.
I'm on my second or third "case manager" from Ramcares and haven't gotten past take it to the dealership again because they keep closing the case each time and when it's taken in they say I need to call Ram.

 

[GoMango16]

Have you checked the drain tubes for the roof? I remember they had issues with them not being installed correctly.

 

[thabiiighomie]

Wednesday was my first day back with my truck after 3 weeks in the shop. New rear windshield (#4). Smelled like new inside the cabin. It rained last night. Mold smell. This is never getting fixed.

 

[thabiiighomie]

Hey there,

We don't see a message in our inbox from you. We would be happy to get you some assistance, however we don't see your response. Please know that for the fastest assistance, you can always reach out to us at 1-866-726-4636.

Callie
Ram Cares

I am not playing this game with you. Just leave my post. I have wasted enough time on this poorly built truck. I tell everybody I can not to buy a RAM. I have a new huge 36” x 22” decal for my back windshield advertising not to buy a RAM. I will post them shortly. Hopefully this (4th) rear windshield lasts long enough for people to see this decal out on the road.