Interior Condensation After Heavy Rain -- Possible Leak?

[5thGeniHemi]

Hello everyone. I have a 2021 Laramie. Like most of the East Coast, we just had heavy rains here in NY for a solid 12 hours. Tonight, when I went outside, I noticed heavy humidity on the windshield interior. She sits outside, no carport. Weather was usually warm for this time of year in NY. Not sure if the condensation is an indication of a potential leak, with water entering through the usual spots (shark fin/rear window, 3rd brake light).

I proactively changed the 3rd brake light seal a few weeks ago with the M-D Weatherseal from HD most owners have been going with on this forum. I check the entire interior and head liner for moisture and did not find any. Everything appeared to be dry, but I'll be double-checking again in the morning.

Has anyone that officially had a leak had the same issue with interior condensation? Not sure if perhaps the rapid change in outdoor temperatures here may have caused this, or could be a sign of something greater.

 

[5thGeniHemi]

Well, after seeing THIS post from another member, it very well could be a leak. I guess to the dealership I go.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Yes, interior condensation is a sign of a leak. My 2020 had condensation on the windshield and it did have a leak in the rear window frame. Try pulling up the rear door sill plates and slide your hand as far as you can under the carpet. They just pop up. That’s where I found the water in mine. There is also a known leak in the front fender area just in front of the front doors (driver’s side IIRC). Try removing all four sill plates to check for water under the carpet. The padding is too thick for you to feel water at the surface of the carpet unless there is a LOT of water.

 

[kdoublep]

Had same issue. Dried it best I could. Put damp rid bag in the cabin and sprayed the heck out of it with Lysol. Fixed that issue and the musty smell. Lysol is good for preventing and killing mold and mildew.

Then I used permatex flow able silicone for the back window. My leak was at the top corner of the back windows.

 

[kapinallinen2]

Hello everyone. I have a 2021 Laramie. Like most of the East Coast, we just had heavy rains here in NY for a solid 12 hours. Tonight, when I went outside, I noticed heavy humidity on the windshield interior. She sits outside, no carport. Weather was usually warm for this time of year in NY. Not sure if the condensation is an indication of a potential leak, with water entering through the usual spots (shark fin/rear window, 3rd brake light).

I proactively changed the 3rd brake light seal a few weeks ago with the M-D Weatherseal from HD most owners have been going with on this forum. I check the entire interior and head liner for moisture and did not find any. Everything appeared to be dry, but I'll be double-checking again in the morning.

Has anyone that officially had a leak had the same issue with interior condensation? Not sure if perhaps the rapid change in outdoor temperatures here may have caused this, or could be a sign of something greater.

How much condensation do you get, is it beading up on the inside of the windshield?
On a cold morning start, after a rainy night, I get a "breath" of fog on the inside of the wind shield, clears up in under a minute.

 

[mikeru82]

When the rear window on our 2020 Limited was leaking, our first indication was heavy condensation on the inside of the windshield. I also found mold under the floor mats. After finding that, I checked the rear window and saw drops of water under cracks in the window frame. Condensation is caused from moisture inside the cab. That can be from water that might get inside from having the window or door open while it's actively raining. It can also be tracked inside in the form of snow, which then melts. In our case the truck hadn't been driven for about a month when I noticed the condensation. I guess that's a long winded way to say yes, you can get condensation from the usual leaks.

 

[kdoublep]

I always compare my condensation to my wife's car. In the FL Panhandle winters, you get major temp changes between day and night so some minor interior moisture is normal.

When I had my leak, the condensation inside my windshield was enough to wet a decent size microfiber towel when I dried it off. Definitely above the normal level of moisture for the interior of my truck.

I keep damp rid in the cab permanently just to help. It collects a decent amount of moisture over a short period of time. I recommend it.

I consider it my interior catch can. It prolongs the life of my interior components LOL

 

[5thGeniHemi]

Yes, interior condensation is a sign of a leak. My 2020 had condensation on the windshield and it did have a leak in the rear window frame. Try pulling up the rear door sill plates and slide your hand as far as you can under the carpet. They just pop up. That’s where I found the water in mine. There is also a known leak in the front fender area just in front of the front doors (driver’s side IIRC). Try removing all four sill plates to check for water under the carpet. The padding is too thick for you to feel water at the surface of the carpet unless there is a LOT of water.

I pulled the four plates and checked under the carpet. I didn't feel anything, but I may have missed it. Who knows. I'm going to take out the under seat storage box and really get under there.

Had same issue. Dried it best I could. Put damp rid bag in the cabin and sprayed the heck out of it with Lysol. Fixed that issue and the musty smell. Lysol is good for preventing and killing mold and mildew.

Then I used permatex flow able silicone for the back window. My leak was at the top corner of the back windows.

I've never heard of the damp rid bag, thank you. I just bought some to keep things dry until I get to the dealer.

How much condensation do you get, is it beading up on the inside of the windshield?
On a cold morning start, after a rainy night, I get a "breath" of fog on the inside of the wind shield, clears up in under a minute.

It was pretty heavy condensation on 90% of the windshield. I've attached photos. I took them after about an hour or two when I first noticed it, so it's covering less of the window in the photos, but almost the entire windshield was covered when I first noticed.

I called my dealer, and they gave me an appointment 5 weeks out (going to call back and try to get something sooner). They said they have a “water specialist” who comes and investigates. I personally never heard of a water specialist for a vehicle but given how notoriously bad these trucks leak, it doesn't surprise me.

I did get the service bulletins for the Backlite and 3rd Brake Light, so I'm hoping that if there is a leak, it's coming from one of the two. I bought the truck last year used and came certified pre-owned, but that won't cover anything else if the leak is coming from some other spot. I wanted to purchase Mopar Maxcare but wanted to wait until after the holiday's. However, I'm thinking that I may want to purchase it prior to my dealer visit in case that the leak is coming from a location the bulletins won't cover. I'm afraid they the dealer won't let me purchase it after the fact.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Check these sites for Mopar Maxcare prices. They are usually much better pricing than the dealership. Use PAYINFULL code for additional discount with Ziegler’s. If you want to check it out, here is a warranty thread.

Mopar Vehicle Protection Plans - Chrysler Warranty Direct

Find affordable coverage at low costs on Mopar Vehicle Protection Plans. Chrysler Warranty Direct's extended warranty specialists are here to help.

chryslerwarrantydirect.com

Save $$ on A Genuine Mopar Vehicle Protection Plan!

www.chryslerfactoryplans.com

Best place to purchase Mopar official Mopar warranty- dont buy from local dealer!

The best place I have found to by an authentic Mopar extended warranty is Chrysler Warranty Direct. www.chryslerwarrantydirect.com Comparing chryslerwarrantydirect.com & Ziegler: chryslerwarrantydirect.com: MaxCare 8 Years 125,000 Miles MSRP $3,650.00 $100.00 Ded...

5thgenrams.com

 

[5thGeniHemi]

Check these sites for Mopar Maxcare prices. They are usually much better pricing than the dealership. Use PAYINFULL code for additional discount with Ziegler’s. If you want to check it out, here is a warranty thread.

Mopar Vehicle Protection Plans - Chrysler Warranty Direct

Find affordable coverage at low costs on Mopar Vehicle Protection Plans. Chrysler Warranty Direct's extended warranty specialists are here to help.

chryslerwarrantydirect.com

Save $$ on A Genuine Mopar Vehicle Protection Plan!

www.chryslerfactoryplans.com

Best place to purchase Mopar official Mopar warranty- dont buy from local dealer!

The best place I have found to by an authentic Mopar extended warranty is Chrysler Warranty Direct. www.chryslerwarrantydirect.com Comparing chryslerwarrantydirect.com & Ziegler: chryslerwarrantydirect.com: MaxCare 8 Years 125,000 Miles MSRP $3,650.00 $100.00 Ded...

5thgenrams.com

Amazing, thank you @Rock Crawler! I had no idea about these plan providers and was ready to spend far more than I should.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Amazing, thank you @Rock Crawler! I had no idea about these plan providers and was ready to spend far more than I should.

No problem. I found the information here as well when I was looking at warranties. This forum has saved me a lot of money. But…………………. it has cost me a lot too . Mods, mods, mods.

 

[1791]

I pulled the four plates and checked under the carpet. I didn't feel anything, but I may have missed it. Who knows. I'm going to take out the under seat storage box and really get under there.


I've never heard of the damp rid bag, thank you. I just bought some to keep things dry until I get to the dealer.


It was pretty heavy condensation on 90% of the windshield. I've attached photos. I took them after about an hour or two when I first noticed it, so it's covering less of the window in the photos, but almost the entire windshield was covered when I first noticed.

I called my dealer, and they gave me an appointment 5 weeks out (going to call back and try to get something sooner). They said they have a “water specialist” who comes and investigates. I personally never heard of a water specialist for a vehicle but given how notoriously bad these trucks leak, it doesn't surprise me.

I did get the service bulletins for the Backlite and 3rd Brake Light, so I'm hoping that if there is a leak, it's coming from one of the two. I bought the truck last year used and came certified pre-owned, but that won't cover anything else if the leak is coming from some other spot. I wanted to purchase Mopar Maxcare but wanted to wait until after the holiday's. However, I'm thinking that I may want to purchase it prior to my dealer visit in case that the leak is coming from a location the bulletins won't cover. I'm afraid they the dealer won't let me purchase it after the fact.

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i worked at a pontiac dealer and they sent me to gm school for wind noise and water leak's so i can confirm it is a thing. that being said you most def have a water intrusion issue. my windshield looked just like that. i'm out of warranty so i fixed mine without a trip to the dealer. i went ham and threw everyting at it i used this

Permatex 81730 Flowable Silicone Windshield and Glass Sealer​

2 of them above the back window went all the way across. put butel rubber under the shark fin antenna, i found water under the driverside floor matt that seemed to be water going in my door running down on the 6x9 running down behind the door panel on to the sill and ending up on the floor. no third break light leak detected at this time. if it happens again i'll be looking the cab seem but it's been dry for a few weeks and we had a good amount of rain.