Frame Welds Rusting Already

[Whiplash Willy]

I have owned my 2013 4runner for a little over 3 months now, and just did my 5k maintenance on it. It hasn't seen mud, snow, sand, or even any salt air. Sadly, while I was under the 4runner, I noticed rust starting to form on most of the welds . As it is now, it is pretty minor, but I wouldn't think I would see anything like this on basically a new vehicle. I am sure the guys in the salt states will laugh at this, but it has me really concerned that at such a short time, and in an environment that doesn't cause much rust, my frame welds would be starting rusting.

I plan on por-15ing everything, but this isn't something I should have to do on a new vehicle, and at the same time, I can only por-15 what I can see, what about the parts of the frame I can't see. Untreated, how will things look 5 years from now, when there is rust after only 3 months!

I am really disappointing at the fall of toyota's quality. They aren't even fully coating their frames, so they won't rust, even after all of the frame rust issues they have had in the past. I am assuming the welds weren't completely coating, and the exposed parts are rusting. My 93 pickup, that was close to 20years old at the time I had it, had a better looking frame then my 3 month 4nr...

I knew when buying this 4nr, that Toyota has been going down on quality, and that is expected as they are offering bigger vehicles with more options for the same price, but I figured it was only superficial stuff, like the paper thin sheet metal, and low grade interior materials and fit/finish. I always figured the important stuff, like the frame, wouldn't be skimped on.

Part of the reason I bought a new vehicle, and a toyota at that, was so I wouldn't have to deal with issues like these, as I have a 2 year old, and twins coming in 4 weeks. It looks like I will have to make some time out of thin air, so I can re-coat my frame the way it should have been from the factory. What a pain...

 

[Titanpat57]

I hear that....and feel the same way...it's a damn, dirty shame that in 21st century the car companies can't include a coating that would protect the metal and protect against chipping.

Sadly they don't do this.

After being up close and personal to the bottom of truck this weekend, I'm pretty disappointed. I think I'm just going to get some good paint and grab a brush and start touching it up.

 

[LandCruiser]

Yours looks better than mine, salt spray has pretty much turned parts of my undercarriage orange at 6 months.

My 3rd gen had less frame rust after 5 years than this thing does at a few months. Even my FJ Cruiser didn't look this bad a year out.

 

[Narkhelek]

The real question is if it's just surface oxidation or if it will eat in to the metal. I plan on painting over the rust spots with some rust-oleum just to be safe.

 

[Jono.ful]

The photo that the OP posted appears to be a lower control arm, not part of the frame. That aside, it would not be unusual for metal particles (ie. road debris or otherwise) to collect on a fairly rough textured weld, and then for these particles to rust rather than the weld itself rusting. Disconcerting, sure, but not a cause for concern. Many here have noted similar problems occurring on body panels caused by the same issue.

Edit: did you add more photos? Only the first one showed up when I originally looked at this thread

 

[philsey]

I have no such problems. I just stay out from under mine. Who cares wtf the underneath looks like? There has to be more important things to worry about - what about Obamacare? Egypt? Nancy Pelosi?

 

[M1911]

I've got a fair bit of rust on one of the frame cross members on my '03. I did what I could to brush it off with a wire brush, then painted it with "rust converting paint." I haven't looked at it since, so I don't know how it is holding up.

 

[KCcarguy]

I didn't realize this was a big deal. I thought it was just harmless surface rust :shrug:

 

[eddiebx]

I didn't realize this was a big deal. I thought it was just harmless surface rust :shrug:

It isn't a big deal, and it is just surface rust, I guess we just ran out of stuff to complain about :lalala:

 

[cbielat]

Hopefully you don't take it off road lol. It'll only get worse especially depending on the region in which you live.

 

[Canazes9]

It isn't a big deal, and it is just surface rust, I guess we just ran out of stuff to complain about :lalala:

Toyota Engineering at its worst?

:spy:




David

 

[M1911]

It isn't a big deal, and it is just surface rust, I guess we just ran out of stuff to complain about :lalala:

The rust on my '03 frame certainly isn't surface rust.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Looks like this runner is a goner. That frame has 6 moths max......

 

[kowski49]

Toyota Engineering at its worst?

:spy:




David

Haha, you nailed it!
He started a rust thread months ago.

 

[crunchcity]

Be glad you're not in the Northeast Willy.

In before the rust apologists arrive saying it's just an orange frosting. :beer:

 

[Telepi]

What's going on here?

First we have bad sun visors. Now rust?

I've also noticed my paint collects a lot of
dirt on the surface. After it rains, it really
gets spotty. I've tried washing it and it looks
good for a while. But then the dirt starts
showing up again.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

Some of you guys really don't care if your frame has rust on it? It bugs the heck out of me, especially since it is on pretty much every weld under the 4runner. Sure it is fine now, but if i just leave it, it will just keep getting worse. If toyota would have just spent a few more bucks and put another coat on there or bothered completely covering it, we wouldn't be having so many frame rust issues. Nobody should be seeing rust on their 3 month old vehicle, and nobody should be ok with it, just accepting toyotas cheapness and lazyness.

I would say having a rusting frame after 3 months, in an environment that doesn't normally produce much rust, is a serious issue, and shouldn't be compared to that stupid sunvisor thread...

 

[Riskijer]

Dear Whiplash Willy,
If the rust bothers you that much, could you have a body shop look at it? Additionally, you could always wire brush it an hit it with paint. I understand you are concerned and obviously plan to keep your vehicle for a while. In my country, rust is not an issue, but I imagine you could get a third-party to spray some type of rust proofing on the affect areas?

 

[Whiplash Willy]

I know I could fix it, I just need to spend time or money, neither of which I have much of anymore....The thing is, I shouldn't have to be fixing rust on a brand new vehicle. It should come with a decent chassis coat that doesn't need to be immediately treated, to make it as durable as it should have been when it left the factory line...

Am I really that insane for thinking a brand new $38k vehicle shouldn't be starting to rust after only 3 months of summer driving?

Considering Toyotas track record with frame rust, I would think others would be concerned as well at the first sight of frame rust.

 

[Riskijer]

I did not know Toyota had such a problem with rust, but based on your last comment, I performed a quick review. It appears the Tacoma and a couple other models have had some serious rust issues to the extent that there was a buyback. I guess I would be concerned myself.