Dodge Ram Water Leak Under Back Seat – Reasons and Fixes

Your Dodge RAM truck has earned a reputation for being a tenacious workhorse that can brave the toughest of terrains and last a lifetime. This is why it must be very disappointing to find water pooling under the back seat. You are right to be concerned about the dampness and want to get rid of it as soon as possible. 

It is advisable to act with speed because ignoring the situation will end up causing more problems for you. These include rust, mold, mildew, and pest infestation. Worry not! This article will help you figure out what is causing this unusual behavior in your precious Dodge RAM. We also walk you through the solutions for the various culprits likely causing the dampness. 

Read on to learn more about:

• Causes of water leak under the back seat of your Dodge RAM
• Solutions for a water leak under the back seat of your Dodge RAM.
• How to avoid water leaks under the back seat of your Dodge RAM

Causes of Water Leak Under the Back Seat of Your Dodge RAM

Several culprits could be behind the pool of water under the back seat of your Dodge RAM. The most common are the clogging of the various drainage systems in your truck, and a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.

1) Water Leak from the Sunroof

The sunroof on your Dodge RAM cannot keep water out without its seal and drainage holes. Manufacturers ensure that your sunroof tray has holes that collect the rainwater which doesn't drip down the sides. The drainage holes collect the excess water and channel it away from your truck's interior. They drain under your vehicle. 

Should these drainage holes in your sunroof tray get clogged by dirt, leaves, twigs, or any debris, excess water cannot escape under the vehicle to the ground. Instead, it shall find its way into your RAM's interior. It may cause water to pool under the back seat whenever it rains. 

Solution

If the leak under your Dodge RAM's back seat is due to a leaking sunroof, the solution is simpler than you may think. All you need to do is unclog the drainage holes on your sunroof tray. Once the build-up of dirt and debris is cleared from the drainage holes, the problem should stop. 

Unclogging your drainage holes is pretty easy. First, open your sunroof to view the drainage holes. You can use an air compressor to force the dirt out the other side of the drainage hole. If you do not have an air compressor, a water hose may take a little longer, but it will get the job done nonetheless.

While in there, it is a good idea to clean the sunroof's seal. Not only will it prevent future leaks, it will ensure your sunroof will slide open without any resistance. 

2) Water Leak From Doors

If your Dodge RAM is no longer brand new, the seals around your doors may not be working like they once did. If the seals are worn out, they will have trouble keeping water out of your truck's interior. When working correctly, the seals should cause water to fall out of the doors' sides and into drainage holes in the floor.

It could also be that the drainage holes in your truck floor are clogged by dirt and debris. This would mean that when the seals channel the water, it cannot escape your truck's floor and begins to pool there. A quick look at the bottom of your doors should reveal whether the seal is worn out or the drainage holes are clogged.

Solution

If your door's rubber seals are worn out you will have to buy new ones. Ensure you purchase seals that fit your doors properly and installing them should be a walk in the park. Where the drainage holes are clogged, unblock them using a water hose or air compressor.

3) Worn Out Window Gaskets

Your back seat floorboard flooding problem could also be caused by worn-out window gaskets. As these gaskets wear out, they develop small leaks that let water into your truck's interior. Manufacturers have now stopped protecting windows and windshield with rubber seals and have switched to butyl tape. The former is preferred because it lasts longer and is less noticeable, therefore has more aesthetic appeal.

Though butyl tape is much more effective than rubber, it is not failproof. Over time, it too, can spring a few leaks. 

Solution

If you suspect your windows are behind the water under the back seat you need to apply a sealant to the leaky area. You can use butyl, urethane, or silicone to cover the leak. 

4) Clogged Wiper Drains

The wipers on your Dodge RAM have drainage holes at their base. These drainage holes direct excess water into a tray where it collects before draining at the rear of your front wheels. Clogging of these drains will cause water build-up in your wiper cowl drains. Often, these drains are clogged by leaves, twigs, dirt, debris, and snow. 

Solution

Cleaning your wiper drains is not a hard task. Pop the hood of your truck and locate your wiper cowl drain. Next, unscrew your wipers and cowl. Use a crowbar to remove the wipers and then remove the cowl. 

You should now have access to your drainage holes. Unclog the drains using an air compressor or a water hose. Once the drainage holes are free and clear, reinstall the cowl and wipers.

5) Air Conditioning Drain Tube Leaks 

As mentioned before, if the water in the back seat of your Dodge RAM persists even when it isn't raining, chances are high that the problem is caused by an air conditioning leak. Where a failing HVAC unit causes water leakage in the backseat of your RAM, the typical cause is a malfunction of the system's evaporator drain tube.

Your AC's evaporator drain tube should remove the moist air from your truck. As the moist air condenses, the evaporator drain tube channels the water away from your interior. The easiest way to know whether your AC drain is to blame is the presence of leaks when the AC is on, but none when you do not switch it on.

AC leaks could also be caused by the wearing out of seals or a malfunctioning evaporator core. Such damage is often caused by dirt and debris passing through your Dodge RAM's AC unit and causing damage over time. Ensure you attend to a leaking AC as soon as possible, because it could pose a serious hazard and severe damage if the AC's electrical components come into contact with water.

Solution

If your evaporator drain tube is clogged, park your truck on even ground and ensure your HVAC system is switched off. Locate your AC drainage tube. You may need to use a jack stand because the drain tube is likely located next to your condenser. Next use compressed air or a hooked wire to gently remove any dirt that is clogging the drain. While you are at it, replace any rubber seals that are worn out. This will ensure you do not suffer leaks in the near future.

6) Damaged Heater Core

In rare instances, the liquid under the back seat of your Dodge RAM could be caused by heating system issues. Your truck's heater core uses the engine's hot coolants to warm up your cabin. If the heater core malfunctions, it could cause coolant to leak into the cabin. If this is the cause of the liquid under your back seat, you will notice additional problems like:

• Your AC fails to heat the cabin adequately
• A sweet-smelling fog may form on your windshield because of coolant traveling into the antifreeze vents.
• Low coolant levels will demand constant top-ups to prevent the engine from overheating.

Solution

Often the only way to fix a leaking heater core is to replace it. Heater cores cost at least $1000 and also run up significant labor and parts costs. In general, replacing your heater core may cost you a total of about $2000.

Removing the Water From Your Truck's Floor

Once you have identified and fixed the source of the leak, you must remove all traces of moisture from your back seat. This will ensure that your truck does not develop mold, mildew, or a musty smell. Drain away as much water as you can manually, then use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up the rest of the moisture.

If you do not have a wet/dry vacuum, dab the surfaces with dry towels. Soak up as much moisture as you can, then leave the truck doors open. You can also place a fan on the floor of the back seat to force air circulation.

Conclusion

There are several likely causes for the leak in under the back seat of your Dodge RAM. whatever the cause, you must attend to the problem as soon as it presents itself. Any time you waste will cost you a pretty penny when you eventually get to fixing the leak.