Mildew odor

[Flick]

I bought a 2019 big horn black edition crew cab a couple months ago. It now has 1500 miles on it and the last few weeks I’ve been noticing a mildew odor. I don’t have the panoramic roof so no leaks there. I have checked all the carpet and headliner and can’t find anything wet. It seems to be happening once the heating system turns on because when I get into the truck in the garage it smells good. Once it runs for a bit is when I’m noticing the odor. Anyone have any ideas what this could be?? I have an appointment at the dealer next week but they had no idea other than to replace the cabin air filter which can’t be bad after 1500 miles.

 

[AndreiV]

Check cabine air filter, it might be the cause. I had same issue in the past in my family SUV, replacing cabin air filter solved the problem. It accumulated moisture and possibly bacteria was growing on the filter.

 

[AnthonyD1978]

There were some reports of the 3rd brake light leaking water into the headliner.

 

[alacombe]

Check the floor mats and carpeting a lot of 2019 Ram owners are having water leak issues that is soaking their floors

 

[RamCares]

Hi @Flick,

We are sorry to hear that you have this concern with your new Ram! Please send us a private message with your VIN, mileage, and dealer so that we can provide additional assistance while your vehicle is in service.

Darlene
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Accountant]

Try turning recirculate off every now and then. The system does it automatically but maybe not enough.

 

[Flick]

Try turning recirculate off every now and then. The system does it automatically but maybe not enough.

I don’t ever have the recirculate on this time of year. It’s only defrost and heat

 

[Tommy R]

Any fix for this determined? My '19 Rebel has a mildew smell from the air vents, particularly after a rain. It's really awful.

 

[Flick]

Any fix for this determined? My '19 Rebel has a mildew smell from the air vents, particularly after a rain. It's really awful.

My dealership did some kind of ozone treatment to the vents. I continued to have the odor after that. Eventually it went away on its own.

 

[RamCares]

Any fix for this determined? My '19 Rebel has a mildew smell from the air vents, particularly after a rain. It's really awful.

Hi Tommy,

Sorry to hear that you are experiencing this concern with your truck. We kindly recommend having your truck diagnosed by your local Ram dealer, as they are in the best position to assist. Our team is available via private message if you are in need of any assistance with that process.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Farmer G]

Was there ever a simple fix for this? I’ve had my 2019 ram for about 3 weeks and have noticed the mildew smell a few times. Coming thru the vents.

 

[BarnacleBrown]

I read a similar issue like this on the 5th Gen Facebook group. Someone tried replacing the in cabin air filter and the odor went away. Could always give that a shot would likely be the cheapest route. Other than under warranty of course.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[Tommy R]

My dealer couldn't replicate the problem (not sure how) and they asked if it was coming through the vents or not. At the time I wasn't sure, but yes, it seems to be coming primarily from the vents. In that case, they suggested the cabin filter. How in the world it would be so funky within 5 months of ownership is beyond me unless water is leaking into the filter area.

Mark, thank you for reaching out! I will definitely let you know if I need further assistance with this.

 

[Diamondback]

Pull up your driver's carpet and see if you have water there from the leak.
I've only had my rig 3 weeks now? and I smell mildew .. I pulled the carpet up and it had almost 2 inches of water in the "trough" .. we are tracking down the leak (most likely the bad seal in the windshield as one post showed from last year) .. but also now I see there are threads regarding bad door trim seal (so I'm looking into that as well)

 

[RamCares]

Was there ever a simple fix for this? I’ve had my 2019 ram for about 3 weeks and have noticed the mildew smell a few times. Coming thru the vents.

Hi Farmer G,

Sorry to hear you are experiencing this concern as well. Please let us know via private message if you decide to have your dealer look into this. We would like to have this documented and have a case escalated in your behalf so a Case Specialist can work with your dealer to help find a potential solution.

My dealer couldn't replicate the problem (not sure how) and they asked if it was coming through the vents or not. At the time I wasn't sure, but yes, it seems to be coming primarily from the vents. In that case, they suggested the cabin filter. How in the world it would be so funky within 5 months of ownership is beyond me unless water is leaking into the filter area.

Mark, thank you for reaching out! I will definitely let you know if I need further assistance with this.

Hi Tommy R,

You’re very welcome, Tommy! Our team is just a PM away and always happy to help.

Pull up your driver's carpet and see if you have water there from the leak.
I've only had my rig 3 weeks now? and I smell mildew .. I pulled the carpet up and it had almost 2 inches of water in the "trough" .. we are tracking down the leak (most likely the bad seal in the windshield as one post showed from last year) .. but also now I see there are threads regarding bad door trim seal (so I'm looking into that as well)

Hi Diamondback,

Please do not hesitate to send us a PM if you’d like an additional layer of assistance as you work with your dealer for this. We’d be happy to help.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[SilverSurfer15]

Subd

 

[RamGuy32]

subd and also experiencing the horrible mildew smell when first starting in the morning (after rain). No wet carpets, no wet liner, and only when on the "FLOOR" or mixed floor setting. I think water is leaking into the HVAC and pooling at the bottom of the unit so that when you turn on the floor vents, the air is blowing over that nice cesspool of swamp water in the bottom of the unit. Wonderful...and I'm sure it's operating within normal parameters. I'll check the filter.

 

[Kaz Man]

Pull up your driver's carpet and see if you have water there from the leak.
I've only had my rig 3 weeks now? and I smell mildew .. I pulled the carpet up and it had almost 2 inches of water in the "trough" .. we are tracking down the leak (most likely the bad seal in the windshield as one post showed from last year) .. but also now I see there are threads regarding bad door trim seal (so I'm looking into that as well)

I purchased a 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie last month and have had serious condensation issues over the past weekend after a heavy rain. Now the carpeting in the back seat floor is soaking wet. My dealer won't have a loaner until Friday, and has asked me to use some towels to soak up the excess water. I have no idea where the water is coming from and I'm worried this episode is going to make the carpet smell. This is not acceptable for a $60,000 truck. I'm sure they'll fight with me if i ask them to replace the carpeting and pad.... God only knows how many wires and connectors are under the carpet that are sitting in water for the week....

I'm seeing that people have had issues with the third brake light, windshield seal and sunroof drains????

 

[Diamondback]

I purchased a 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie last month and have had serious condensation issues over the past weekend after a heavy rain. Now the carpeting in the back seat floor is soaking wet. My dealer won't have a loaner until Friday, and has asked me to use some towels to soak up the excess water. I have no idea where the water is coming from and I'm worried this episode is going to make the carpet smell. This is not acceptable for a $60,000 truck. I'm sure they'll fight with me if i ask them to replace the carpeting and pad.... God only knows how many wires and connectors are under the carpet that are sitting in water for the week....

I'm seeing that people have had issues with the third brake light, windshield seal and sunroof drains????

Indeed - even those that do not have the Pano Roof are having the leaks - mostly the 3rd brake light seal (I had fixed mine initially, but think I need to seal it again - more permanently).

 

[kapinallinen2]

I'm seeing that people have had issues with the third brake light, windshield seal and sunroof drains????

Add the cracked rear window frame to the list...