Tofik
Junior Member
Hello Everyone,
I just realized that the leaking back window is a common issue with 5th gen RAM's, but I wanted to make everyone aware that it can get really bad for some of you because of control modules that are located behind rear seats.
It all happened one day while I was driving to work on a freeway at around 80 mhp. The engine died and the car coasted to a stop. I was able to put it back in park and drive it for another 2 miles to get to my work. But after i parked it, 3 hours later the car would act all crazy, it wouldn't stay running for more than 5 seconds and would just die before I could put it in drive. Got the car towed to a dealership, they investigated the problem and replaced the KIM (keyless ignition module) under warranty, the car was at 35,970 miles. I came back to pick the car up, got it in started the car and the same issue happened, I didn't even leave the parking spot at the dealership. They continued to work on the car, started an engineering claim with RAM headquarters and found some loose wiring in the glove box that supposedly fixed the issue. I picked the car up and it all seemed fine.
About 2 months later I get in my car one morning and it doesn't start at all, the dashboard lights up but nothing else is working. the tow truck driver couldn't even put it in neutral. It gets taken to the same dealership, and they cant communicate with the car, they had to put it on wheel carts to bring it in the shop. They needed to order a new control module that is responsible for communicating with the diagnostic tools, that takes about two weeks. But it finally got there today and once installed I get a phone call that this issue was all caused by a leaking back window, the car is out of warranty and I need to pay out of pocket, but I wasn't told how much yet. The service rep also mentioned that the previous issue was likely caused by this leak as well as the wiring connectors are all rusted and could short the circuits, he also mentioned that all involved modules and connections are located behind the rear seats. Once I heard that, I asked why wouldn't they cover this repair since they failed to identify the cause in previous repair while it was under warranty, but he realized his mistake and started backtracking and saying that the warranty is not retroactive and we do not know for sure what caused the previous issue. The car is now at around 37k miles but within the 36 month warranty period for few more months. I am waiting to get more news today, as the technician is checking if I need a new wiring harness.
It's baffling that they were not aware of this common issue and did not address it earlier... My rear window frame was cracked ever since I remembered and once I brought it up when I was getting an oil change at a RAM dealer but the lady checking me in looked at it and said "we can inspect it but if we don't find anything wrong with it we will have to charge you an inspection fee of $170" She looked annoyed saying this... (but she wasn't annoyed when she kept asking me to fill out the survey and make sure to give her all 10's when I picked the car up...) I figured its not a big deal and left it be as I was not aware of this common issue. Well now I know.
I am waiting to hear what the further news are, but it looks like a nightmare so far. I will make sure to keep this thread updated as this situation develops.
Thanks
I just realized that the leaking back window is a common issue with 5th gen RAM's, but I wanted to make everyone aware that it can get really bad for some of you because of control modules that are located behind rear seats.
It all happened one day while I was driving to work on a freeway at around 80 mhp. The engine died and the car coasted to a stop. I was able to put it back in park and drive it for another 2 miles to get to my work. But after i parked it, 3 hours later the car would act all crazy, it wouldn't stay running for more than 5 seconds and would just die before I could put it in drive. Got the car towed to a dealership, they investigated the problem and replaced the KIM (keyless ignition module) under warranty, the car was at 35,970 miles. I came back to pick the car up, got it in started the car and the same issue happened, I didn't even leave the parking spot at the dealership. They continued to work on the car, started an engineering claim with RAM headquarters and found some loose wiring in the glove box that supposedly fixed the issue. I picked the car up and it all seemed fine.
About 2 months later I get in my car one morning and it doesn't start at all, the dashboard lights up but nothing else is working. the tow truck driver couldn't even put it in neutral. It gets taken to the same dealership, and they cant communicate with the car, they had to put it on wheel carts to bring it in the shop. They needed to order a new control module that is responsible for communicating with the diagnostic tools, that takes about two weeks. But it finally got there today and once installed I get a phone call that this issue was all caused by a leaking back window, the car is out of warranty and I need to pay out of pocket, but I wasn't told how much yet. The service rep also mentioned that the previous issue was likely caused by this leak as well as the wiring connectors are all rusted and could short the circuits, he also mentioned that all involved modules and connections are located behind the rear seats. Once I heard that, I asked why wouldn't they cover this repair since they failed to identify the cause in previous repair while it was under warranty, but he realized his mistake and started backtracking and saying that the warranty is not retroactive and we do not know for sure what caused the previous issue. The car is now at around 37k miles but within the 36 month warranty period for few more months. I am waiting to get more news today, as the technician is checking if I need a new wiring harness.
It's baffling that they were not aware of this common issue and did not address it earlier... My rear window frame was cracked ever since I remembered and once I brought it up when I was getting an oil change at a RAM dealer but the lady checking me in looked at it and said "we can inspect it but if we don't find anything wrong with it we will have to charge you an inspection fee of $170" She looked annoyed saying this... (but she wasn't annoyed when she kept asking me to fill out the survey and make sure to give her all 10's when I picked the car up...) I figured its not a big deal and left it be as I was not aware of this common issue. Well now I know.
I am waiting to hear what the further news are, but it looks like a nightmare so far. I will make sure to keep this thread updated as this situation develops.
Thanks