Water Stained Headliner above Rear Window

[Dusty1948]

After several days of wind driven rain I noticed a huge water stain on the headliner just above the rear window. This was a common problem on 4th gen Rams. The 5th gen Rams now have four screws mounting the Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) lens cover to the cab. 4th gens only had two.

My dealer ordered a new CHMSL module and when the tech verified the leak he also discovered a STAR case addressing this issue:

STAR ONLINE PUBLICATION
Case Number: S1923000007
Release Date: 2/06/2019
Symptom/Vehicle Issue: Water leak at the upper Rear Sliding Back Glass or Fixed Glass Trim
Customer complaint/ technician observation: Water drips appear from the upper trim at above the rear slider or fixed back glass and drip/seep into the vehicle. technician has observed the same at the rear backlight/slider glass.
Discussion: Conditions of improper torque to the rear CHMSL may creat poor sealing at the rear cab third brake lamp. Loosen, reposition and tighten the rear CHMSL lamp assembly, test for leakage, not parts required.

So now that there are four screws instead of two, when installing or tightening the CHMSL the two inboard screws (closest to the center of the lamp assembly) must be tightened FIRST, then the outboard screws to ensure equalized compression of the gasket.

There's rain in the forecast so we'll see if this works. I should add that it never leaked going through the car wash.

Best regards,
Dusty

2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Now at: 014228 miles.

 

[Ellisstrong]

After several days of wind driven rain I noticed a huge water stain on the headliner just above the rear window. This was a common problem on 4th gen Rams. The 5th gen Rams now have four screws mounting the Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) lens cover to the cab. 4th gens only had two.

My dealer ordered a new CHMSL module and when the tech verified the leak he also discovered a STAR case addressing this issue:

STAR ONLINE PUBLICATION
Case Number: S1923000007
Release Date: 2/06/2019
Symptom/Vehicle Issue: Water leak at the upper Rear Sliding Back Glass or Fixed Glass Trim
Customer complaint/ technician observation: Water drips appear from the upper trim at above the rear slider or fixed back glass and drip/seep into the vehicle. technician has observed the same at the rear backlight/slider glass.
Discussion: Conditions of improper torque to the rear CHMSL may creat poor sealing at the rear cab third brake lamp. Loosen, reposition and tighten the rear CHMSL lamp assembly, test for leakage, not parts required.

So now that there are four screws instead of two, when installing or tightening the CHMSL the two inboard screws (closest to the center of the lamp assembly) must be tightened FIRST, then the outboard screws to ensure equalized compression of the gasket.

There's rain in the forecast so we'll see if this works. I should add that it never leaked going through the car wash.

Best regards,
Dusty

2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Now at: 014228 miles.

Mine was just in for a stained headliner too. They ordered a new third brake light and are replacing my headliner too...

 

[Dusty1948]

Mine was just in for a stained headliner too. They ordered a new third brake light and are replacing my headliner too...

In my case the dealer's service department was able to clean the headliner and remove any trace of staining.

I was hoping they could resolve the stain without replacing the headliner. That's kind of an ugly procedure if done by the book. They have to remove the windshield to do that.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Now at: 014274 miles.

 

[Ellisstrong]

In my case the dealer's service department was able to clean the headliner and remove any trace of staining.

I was hoping they could resolve the stain without replacing the headliner. That's kind of an ugly procedure if done by the book. They have to remove the windshield to do that.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Now at: 014274 miles.

Yep, they will have to remove the windshield. I’ve had pretty good service from them so far so I’m not that worried about them doing it... With my light headliner no cleaning is going to make that stain not noticeable for me

 

[Ellisstrong]

In my case the dealer's service department was able to clean the headliner and remove any trace of staining.

I was hoping they could resolve the stain without replacing the headliner. That's kind of an ugly procedure if done by the book. They have to remove the windshield to do that.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Now at: 014274 miles.

Did your fix work?

 

[Biga]

I noticed I have this dreaded problem today with the first hard rain in some time. I specifiacally wanted to check for this and sure enough I saw water drip from top of the back glass. Headliner is damp near the speaker in the ceiling although can’t find any water on the floor. I pulled the rear stop light and I can’t find evidence of any water getting behind it. But nonetheless Retorqued screws though hoping I get lucky and it is all it needed. I don’t see a crack in the window frame like some others report. The good thing is my headliner is black and I can't see any stains from being wet.

 

[RamCares]

I noticed I have this dreaded problem today with the first hard rain in some time. I specifiacally wanted to check for this and sure enough I saw water drip from top of the back glass. Headliner is damp near the speaker in the ceiling although can’t find any water on the floor. I pulled the rear stop light and I can’t find evidence of any water getting behind it. But nonetheless Retorqued screws though hoping I get lucky and it is all it needed. I don’t see a crack in the window frame like some others report.

Hi Biga,

I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing this concern with your truck. If this concern persists after your fix and you end up having to address this with your dealer, please let us know via private message. We would be more than happy to provide you with an additional layer of support for that process.

Mark
RamCares

 

[Rayzram]

 

[Dusty1948]

View attachment 41904

There's a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for this problem which requires a tech to reseal the High Mounted Rear Stop Lamp.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram DT 1500 Silver Billet Laramie, Quad Cab, 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, 18 inch wheels. Build date: 17 July 2018. Now at 026924 miles.

 

[Rayzram]

There's a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for this problem which requires a tech to reseal the High Mounted Rear Stop Lamp.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram DT 1500 Silver Billet Laramie, Quad Cab, 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, 18 inch wheels. Build date: 17 July 2018. Now at 026924 miles.

I have hunted for that TSB but cant find it. Seems if I do not print them off, hand deliver and explain the corrective action it done get fixed. Anyone have a link to this TSB?

 

[Dusty1948]

I have hunted for that TSB but cant find it. Seems if I do not print them off, hand deliver and explain the corrective action it done get fixed. Anyone have a link to this TSB?

Rayzram, I thought I had a copy of it but cannot find it. It's possible it was a STAR report, which means a tech will see it come up on his computer when he enters the lamp part number (68298380AD).

I'm surprised by now that your dealership hasn't already experienced this issue.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram DT 1500 Silver Billet Laramie, Quad Cab, 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, 18 inch wheels. Build date: 17 July 2018. Now at 026924 miles.

 

[Rayzram]

Rayzram, I thought I had a copy of it but cannot find it. It's possible it was a STAR report, which means a tech will see it come up on his computer when he enters the lamp part number (68298380AD).

I'm surprised by now that your dealership hasn't already experienced this issue.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram DT 1500 Silver Billet Laramie, Quad Cab, 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, 18 inch wheels. Build date: 17 July 2018. Now at 026924 miles.

Of my 24 complaint trip the dealer had never seen any of the complaints besides the brake noise....funny how that works huh.

 

[Dusty1948]

Of my 24 complaint trip the dealer had never seen any of the complaints besides the brake noise....funny how that works huh.

That is sad. It's too bad that dealers have so much autonomy they can conduct business this way.
Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram DT 1500 Silver Billet Laramie, Quad Cab, 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, 18 inch wheels. Build date: 17 July 2018. Now at 026924 miles.

 

[Jako]

I have hunted for that TSB but cant find it. Seems if I do not print them off, hand deliver and explain the corrective action it done get fixed. Anyone have a link to this TSB?

Try here.

Vehicle Detail Search - 2019 RAM 1500 CREW PU/CC 4WD | NHTSA

www.nhtsa.gov

 

[JDBob35a]

Add me to the list of leaking trucks. Had some hard rain here today and got in my truck at lunch and sure enough, wet headliner. Got almost 20,000 miles on the truck, have checked for leaks before because of some of the complaints on the forum and never had any issues. Going to call a dealer and see what happens. Since haven't' had this issue until 20,000 miles it really makes me question how the truck is going to stand the test of time.

 

[JJRamTX]

Add me to the list of leaking trucks. Had some hard rain here today and got in my truck at lunch and sure enough, wet headliner. Got almost 20,000 miles on the truck, have checked for leaks before because of some of the complaints on the forum and never had any issues. Going to call a dealer and see what happens. Since haven't' had this issue until 20,000 miles it really makes me question how the truck is going to stand the test of time.

Did you look above the two sides of the rear sliding window for the plastic window surround cracks? It could also be a combination of the third brake light seal also.

 

[Biga]

We had a heavy rain all day and sure enough mine is wet again. Going to bite the bullet and call the dealer in the morning. I pulled the brake light directly after a heavy rain last time the headier was wet and I could not find a trace of water getting behind it so I'm guessing it has to be the window although mine does not have any cracks.

 

[JDBob35a]

Did you look above the two sides of the rear sliding window for the plastic window surround cracks? It could also be a combination of the third brake light seal also.

Haven't had a chance to look too closely at anything yet, rain all day yesterday, and again for a while today. Have an appt. at the dealer for 1:00 Thu., but I'm not getting my hopes up, it a large fairly large dealer for my area and the service person said they haven't heard of one of these trucks leaking.

 

[RamCares]

We had a heavy rain all day and sure enough mine is wet again. Going to bite the bullet and call the dealer in the morning. I pulled the brake light directly after a heavy rain last time the headier was wet and I could not find a trace of water getting behind it so I'm guessing it has to be the window although mine does not have any cracks.

Haven't had a chance to look too closely at anything yet, rain all day yesterday, and again for a while today. Have an appt. at the dealer for 1:00 Thu., but I'm not getting my hopes up, it a large fairly large dealer for my area and the service person said they haven't heard of one of these trucks leaking.

Hi Biga & JDBob35a,

While I regret to hear that you both are experiencing this concern, please know that we are more than happy to escalate cases for you to connect you with a specialist for an additional layer of assistance while working with your dealers. This will ensure your concerns are documented, as well as that all possible solutions are explored to correct this concern. We are just a private message away to get the process started.

Mark
RamCares

 

[Shanesrt8]

I noticed leaking on both sides of the window on mine.