4th Gen RAM Trucks DIY 3rd Brake Light Leak Fix 

Thanks for posting this. I had a leak under the back seats in my 2017 Crew Cab Ram. At first I thought it was the exhausters on the back of the cab. It is a major hassle getting to the exhausters as you have to remove the back seats. But for me, the exhausters were only a very slight problem and really, may not have been leaking much at all. The real issue on my truck was from the 3rd brake light. The material you suggested in this video was a superb solution that totally fixed the leak. Plus if you need to replace a bulb it is easy to do as nothing is glued together. So, try this brake light fix first. It will likely solve your leak problem on the first try. This leak issue is a manufacturing defect stemming from a poor design of using open cell foam for gasket material. This type of foam is just like a sponge as it readily absorbs water. I imagine there are tens of thousands of Ram trucks owners out there that have this beautiful spendy truck that smells like an old moldy tennis shoe due to this issue. Ram is not the only truck manufacture out there with this same 3rd brake light problem. The damage to the vehicles interior due to this defect should be totally covered by the manufacture, but, it is not! It amazes me that there has not been a successful class action lawsuit regarding this issue...

Thank you for your time to put this on you tube. To anyone that may be getting a right brake light out but it is working, check your third brake light. This fix will help prevent this issue in the future. Thanks Again.

Just did this fix with both my 2014 Ram 1500 and my daughter's Ram 1500. The weather seal you recommend was perfect for this. Great video!

Thanks for the easy fix solution. I was initially so freaked out when I noticed water spots on my interior roof liner. Wow! I'm relieved it was so easy and quick. Awesome DIY fix!

Just finished doing this mod to my 2010 Ram 2500. Now all we need is some rain here in Central Texas to test it! Thanks for taking the time to make this video for our benefit. God bless you!

Thanks for the easy fix to a problem that should have been fixed by the manufacturer. Worked like a charm on my 2015 ram. Thanks for sharing 👍

Great video! I used this product on my 02 Chevy Silverado 3rd light and it worked perfectly. I had to cut the strip in half to make it work. You are the man! Thank you!!!

After a very heavy rain I noticed a water stain on the headliner of my 2018 Ram 3500. Googled how to fix. Watched this video. Went to Lowe’s and got the weatherstrip. Took a few minutes to get the goo from the old gasket cleaned off. Super helpful video. Thanks for sharing!

I have a 2018 Ram with water coming into underneath the rear seat, storage compartment. April 27th, 2022, I just installed This weather stripping onto my new, third break light. I'm hopeful. Thanks for the video. May 4th, 2022, we've had heavy rains in the last week and the storage compartment underneath the rear seat is dry. So far, this fix has worked.

I tried this on my 2019 ram after trying a couple other fixes and this worked great, Thanks a lot for the video!

Just did this today, and as I was leaving the store, I saw a family getting out of their 2015 Ram and told them about this fix. Paying it forward, thanks Brother.

Thank you very much. I just finished doing this. Found your video last night. Last week I found an icicle hanging from the ceiling speaker. Not to mention the soaked seat. Many thanks.

New ram owner here, looking through some forums and ran across your video. I’m gonna try this. Thanks man. I’m going through this issue now.

Got the product at ACE hardware for $12 (inflation) and just ran the hose on it directly and the problem was solved. Thanks!

Thank you!! It worked on my 2013 Ram. I replaced it And 1 hour later it rained hard and no water. Finally! Thank you for posting this. Dealer wanted $160 just to diagnose! Sved me $ and time!!!

Thank you bro just did this to my 2012 ram went straight to the drive thru carwash after i finished and no leaks at all you saved me from a future headache if i would of used the silicone stuff.

Thanks for this, I took mine and did this today. Though my OEM gasket wasn't deteriorated yet, I figured I'd replace too. Mine was moist and had water in it.. saved me mildew and grief lol.

Thank you! I love the collective wisdom of RU-vid contributers. This solved my problem but i will add a warning. I drive a 2011 Ram Hemi Crew Cab and it didn't have the rubber gasket/seal as shown in this video. When i removed the light housing it had a foam seal (soaking wet with water around the bulbs!) that was a total bitch to scrape off. I'd driven to a mall to hide from the pouring rain and all i had was the philips screwdriver and the exacto knife. Took about 30 minutes of slicing, scraping, and cursing to get the foam and the glue off the backing plastic. But, the leak has gone, and i didn't need to go near the dealership. Thanks again.

Thank for sharing this information. I came across your video, watched it, rewind it back to the specs on the package, took a picture of it and got up and went to Home Depot and picked up some. Just finished installing my light back on. I did a water test before I took the light out. Even though I didn’t see or feel any water I still did it. Now I have to address the cabin vents because I believe that’s where my water is coming from.

Thank you for this video! My 09 ram has been leaking off and on for a while and I had no idea where it was coming from. I just went to Home Depot and got the weatherstripping. Super easy to do.

My 14 Ram regular cab developed this problem today. Popped out the third brake light and sure enough a puddle standing in the light cavity with a trail of water running off to both sides. Went to Home Depot, found the weather strip right where you said it would be, in the back near the screen doors. I have applied the fix, thanks a million my friend!

Just a testimonial to this fix: We just got a torrential rain storm last night. Over 4 inches of rain in a 8 hour period. Not one drop of water in the truck thanks to this fix. This WORKS!!! :)

Thanks for the video. My story goes like this; Brake light out for the 3rd time in 5 years on my '14. The first time it was just normal wear and tear I suppose. The second time it was wet, the bulb had exploded, and water was in the lens, but none had made it into the cab. So, I put the new bulb in, and off to the dealer. They then informed me it was a "known issue" and they "repaired" it. Little did I know, the "repair" was sealing...over top the original crap foam gasket...or, replaced the gasket, and put black CV goop on top. Sure worked! Never leaked again..but...here is the rub...I was expected to take it in every time the bulbs up there needed changing. Flash forward to May 2019. Brake light bulb was gone again. So, no biggy, they are consumables and its part of routine maintenance...right? Well, I went to change it, and no joy. The lens would not budge. Keep in mind, I have fingers of steel and can peel bark with them, so I was a tad grumpy when the dealership suggested I "try harder"....maybe use a pry bar. Well, I have changed a "few" bulbs in my 49 years of driving, and never had to pry a lens off with a pry bar. So anyway, I figured If anyone was going to break the lens, it would be them, they agreed, and I made an appointment. They are decent folks, and I don't blame them for Chrysler-Fiats' design flaws or lack of concern. They are aware, and aren't any happier about it, because they get the brunt of grumpy owners at the desk. So, I have a few days before my scheduled appointment..a few days to stew and youtube it. I came across this video, and I must thank you for this. I got it done because of it. I would just like to add that if yours is like mine..glued on by the dealer, it is a nasty 3 hour job, so wear coveralls, do it in an open space as it involves harmful fumes, and wear gloves for the messy bits...which is most of it. I used a rag, mineral spirits (I tried lighter fluid, but not as good, and do NOT use thinners) and small brass wire brush and ...patience. You want it looking and feeling like factory. Metal can scour and gouge which can affect the seal. And I can tell you, in my situation, they used lots of CV glue. So ya, it was 3 hours of my life I'll never get back ;-) So, just my experience. final note...once you have it all shiny like-new, wipe it down, get all the old debris out of all the nooks and crannies...they have mineral spirits on them and could corrode the paint in places you don't want rust to start. Let it dry for about 15 minutes to evaporate, then take some polish and wipe it down, and reinstall. Thanks again for the gasket hack! Stay safe and enjoy your summer :-)

Thanks for this video! I just did this fix yesterday and it worked great!

Thank you! My 2014 Ram is leaking. I am going to do this! I really appreciate this tip! God bless

Excellent video. Worked out excellent.fixed my leak on my 2011 ram 1500. Thanx

Thanks man i just noticed a leak in my 15 2500 today i was minutes from just throwing some rtv on it much better idea

I just put clear caulk from the bottom of the sides over the top down to the bottom corner side .The light pulls off with screws out it just takes a little cleaning to removes the old.I use alcohol wipes to clean it off then reapply if you have to change a bulb but I may give this a try .

Did this today. Cheap fix. Scored some points with the wife as well. Thanks for the vid.

I have water in my truck now. 2009 Ram 1500. I was at my wits end and was about spend large to get it fixed at the dealer. This just makes sense. Will try the fix tomorrow, wish me luck and thanks for the helpful post

Just wanted to say thank you for this as I just did it on my 15 ram after getting staining on both corners in the back…also have some exhausters on order.

Thanks for this. My "new to me" 2015 Ram 2500 is back at the dealer for the second time in the past week to drain the swimming pool beneath the rear driver's seat. The first time they said they "reseated" the 3rd brakelight. If it comes back this time and they are no closer (this time they "Blew out the weep hole drain again") then I will probably give this a try. I actually have a bunch of this gasket stuff left over from installing my BAK Revolver. Thanks.

My 09 the dealer gooped up with silicone and now my 14 is leaking after I replaced a bulb so thanks for this. This is a much better fix

Great idea just did this about 26 min ago it’s been rainy here in Los Angeles

Thank you!!!!!! 8 bucks!!!!!! The crappy gaskets for the lights run 13 and up. Awesome fix!!!!!!!

Great Video in explaining a problem and solution, thank you for sharing your knowledge and project. I need to stop water leaking into my 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck passenger space; however, the cabin pressure vent [GM P/N - 15147611] is discontinued, but thankfully my vent is salvageable. I attempted to make my own cabin pressure vent gasket from a sheet of raw material, but I learned I selected the incorrect durometer rating - it was too hard for me to depress by hand - try, try again with neoprene rubber with a lower durometer rating. I also attempted to make my own third brake light gasket with VersaChem Clear Super Silicone to try to make a gasket - that failed to stop water leaking into my truck, so I ordered a third brake light gasket seal and that was an improvement, but water still leaks into my truck: I am essentially back to step one of isolating the point(s) of water entry. My problem areas include Cabin Air Pressure Vent & Customized Gasket, Sunroof Drain Tubes, Third Brake Light and Third Brake Light Gasket Seal and now I am wondering if it is the rear window. My efforts did successfully impede the amount of water leaking into my truck, but I still need stop it. I purchased caulk strip much like the 3M caulk strips from LMC Truck. I have been considering applying the strips on my third brake light, but are these strips capable of being removed easily? Once I know I have my water leak problem resolved I plan to replace my headliner - that requires removing the third brake light again. I plan to purchase a roll of this Auto & Marine Weather-seal and try that on the third brake light I am open to any recommendations, so if interested please visit my RU-vid channel videos ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6z-NydYWzjA.html

Thank you for the video. My 2011 Dodge Ram leaked and like you said the dealership used RTV and I could never remove it. My 2016 Ram is doing the same thing so I am going to use the fix you posted.

I performed this repair last night. My Ram Limited had the rear window break a couple of years back and in the course of replacing the window I decided to leave the seats out, glad I did. The amount of water getting in was crazy and this "fix" took all of 15 minutes! This is easily the most cost effective improvement I have ever seen. Also, I had this same problem with an old 1997 F150, and it was exactly the same issue? I found the screws actually loose on my light, no doubt due to normal shrinkage of the original gasket. My guess is this has been leaking for years and had my seat been in I would have never noticed. The next project is installing a cabin filter. Dodge had a cut out ready for a cabin filter and elected to leave it out! This nickel and diming of the consumer on things that are so easily fixed, or so inexpensive to include, makes me realize why so many domestic manufacturers are struggling. Were it not for steep tariffs, nobody would put up with this.

I think you got the one thumbs down from someone that didn't like the fact you couldn't find your phillips head screwdriver. Jk. I took my '14 Ram in almost a year after I got it back to the dealer for this reason. So from 2015 till now it's held up but now we're in the rainy season and I'm getting the leaking coming back. Good information to know.

This method works on 5th Gen Rams as well. Never leaked until and replaced the bulbs. Just make sure the previous gasket and its adhesive is removed first. Test with a water hose, no leaks!

Worked great man. Thanks!

Thanks for the information. My 2017 Big Horn has is leaking. Gonna try it out. 👍

I'm about to do this to my 2016. Trying to be proactive. From what I can see on my truck the actual problem is the lens itself is curved outward in the center and does not compress the gasket properly. I'm not sure if the lens is made that way purposely or it warped in the sun. Either way the cab is flat so the curved lens could never seat properly. Hopefully the thicker/wider seal will compensate for it.

Our 2014 Ram started leaking recently after several days of heavy rain. Dealer wanted $55 plus $20 labor to install new third brake light. We bought the MD Weatherseal you suggested and installed it today. The old gasket still had shiny paper attached to some of the sticky parts so it was never installed correctly. Thank you very much for sharing this video.

Hey dude! Great video! I just got a 13 Ram 1500 and noticed a swimming pool under rear seat, passenger side. I purchased the same kit at Lowes and I peeled of old original squashed seal and put new one on! I also cleaned area where it will stick on with alcohol wipes. And area where it will install on vehicle too. I have lots of rain in forecast coming and will let you know results! Thanks again!

10-4. Thanks. Just wasnt sure if that was done purposely

This works great!!

Thank and awesome fix!

Thanks brotha! Just picked mine up at Home Depot,, had a freaking flood of water trapped under my rear passenger bucket storage

Many thanks!!

Thank you 🙏

Worked for me on my 2012 2500, couple of months now no water

I have a 2018. I noticed it started to smell funny and found my carpet wet underneath the rear seat. Im going to do this tomorrow early. Thanks for the advice Sir.

Awesome Thanks so much!

I have a 2014 ram. I noticed the water yesterday. I was so mad. Just got the truck a month ago. I didn't think of the 3rd brake light cuz the water was on the right and left side of both back headrest. I looked and seen the contour of the truck would allow the water from the brake light to go where I seen it. Just put this stuff on my light. I hope that was my problem. Thanks for the video.

Thank u.....on my way to home Depot now!!

I don't know why the manufacturers don't just stop using bulbs. Secondly, I bought a LED 3rd brake light so I don't have to worry about bulbs burning out, then I installed it with supplied gasket then I ran a thick bead of clear silicone around the light and smoothed it out with a wet finger, also I filled screw holes with silicone as well. ** push down on the light a bit as you screw the light down so you don't crack the lens until snug.

Going to try this on the Morimoto X3B tail light. The stock gasket sucks and rubber will work a shit ton better than the slim cheap foam they use.

Has anyone done this on an 2018 ram with high mount camera and cargo light? Just wondering before I try.

Ok , l would like to offer my solution too. Change all light bulbs in third brake light housing , no more messages on dash. I hope this helps.

You the man, girlfriend.

F150s have this issue also. I'll be using this fix for mine. Thanks

do you have to remove the original seal or you put on top of the old seal? seen another video on here where the guy add it on top of the old one

thanks for the post !! Going to do this today on my 2013...Question - do you put the gasket back as well? (was gonna buy a new gasket too)...thanks

I have a 2011 mega cab that leaks through the speaker in the roof behind the driver's seat for some reason the third brake light does not leak at all what do you suppose the problem is with this?

My 2015 Ram just dumped water all over the back seat after a hard rain the other night. Never had this issue before. Thanks for the tip! I am also concerned that the navigation antenna may be a source of leaking as well. Any issues known with those?

Anyone know how to clear the "brake light out" message once this is fixed and the bulbs are replaced?

This worked great for me for about 3 years an now I'm back to having a water leak problem I've even went an bought a whole new oem lamp with new gasket put it on an still leaking I've been riding around with no back seat an carpet till I fix it. I love my cummins but geez dodge.

I do same thing what u did ...thank u so much ;))) i hate use silicone .ram 2500 Cummins 2012

Anybody got some tips for cleaning off the waterline on the headliner around the light? :/

I just did this and applied it over the gasket of my new led third brake light. Is it okay that it seems to stick out a little bit further than normal?

Can this been done on other trucks my 2003 chevy Silverado 2500 is leaking

I think that's the problem with my 2014. Last few months the truck has smelled moldy or old food. Today water was pouring out of the back two corners of the headliner. Ruined the baby seat soaked everything back there, leather, rugs, etc.

just did this today and it worked great. Couldn't find 5/16 by 19/32... 5/16 by 1/4 did the trick! $7 at home depot.

Hello. I did this just like you showed in your video, and there’s quite a bow in the center of the light. Did yours do that too? Also, you’ve never had any leakage at the two points where the two pieces come together?

Any updates ? I bought a Recon 3rd break light i already know the seal will leak on it as others had the same issue with Recon 3rd break light just wanted to get a update to see if this is still working for you

I used the exact same gasket today, the 3rd brake light now has a bulge to it away from the body, I assume the gasket will make it up but I dont want to fill the cab with water . . . more.

i replaced mine with this and ran a hose for about 5 minutes directly on the corners of the rear window just to make sure thats not where the leak was coming from first. Didnt see any water on the inside so i ran water directly on the third brake light and did not see any leaks. Question though... i didnt notice how you ran the seal with just the one strip along the bottom, i ran mine all the way around in one piece and butted them up on the bottom in the middle. think that matters?

Anyone had issues with 2017 rams? I just got one and I'm not sure if dodge fixed this issue already

any updates ? How's it holding on ?

Hi, i have a 2006 mazda b3000 and my third brake light also leaks. i cant find a seal for my truck online. if i buy this type of adhesive ,would i need a smaller size than the one u mentioned for the dodge ram?

Hey how soon can I do the water test after installing this ??

the same thing happened to me. I have an appointment on Monday at the dealer and they want $122 to just diagnose the problem. my headliner is stained now and I have a funny feeling they are going to give the run around when I ask them to replace my headliner.

Will this work for an f150? Same issue

my 2017 is still leaking , even after silone all the way around

Don't know what I did wrong but did this exactly & had water under the rear seat after this mornings rain.

How is this holding up 3 years later?

Chevy/GMC has same issue

So, after 3 years, how's it holding up?

Just tried this and it didn’t work

Is it still holding up?

since this is a known problem, why is dodge not fixing these? Collierville Chrysler Dodge just charged us 61 bucks to replace the whole assembly.

My brake light looks warped.

I am so angry! This should be a recall mandatory repair!!!

Same dam problem with gmc!!! These manufacturer's are terrible

First, I am huge fan of Ram trucks. Are they perfect? Of course not. But they are very solid trucks with less recalls than other brands. That said............ WTF RAM???? You have been aware of this problem since the 3rd generation, and it's STILL a problem??? And the fix for it would be to add a 3rd screw, or manufacture the light lens just a bit differently??? That is seriously embarrassing, Ram. Pull you heads out of your asses and FIX this ridiculously simple problem!!!!!!

See my video for the real leak. That is half a foot large. Yes 6” square. Its not the light

God damn... 2 minutes in and still babbling. Get to the point.

Had a blown 3rd brake light yesterday so I changed it and didn’t think about it and today we had a terrible rain storm. I get it my truck after work and notice my headliner was wet. I ran to Lowe’s and picked this up and put it on just now. Thanks for the video man I was about to get out the rtv lol. Hopefully this does the trick.