GOBI Structural Rust - Less Than 3 Years

[mstgkillr]

After a ton of research, I purchased a roof rack and ladder from GOBI for my wife’s 2018 4Runner TRD Pro. Like many of you, I spent a lot of time reading through forum threads and reviews before pulling the trigger. GOBI consistently came up as one of the top recommendations in the 4Runner community, especially for durability and long-term quality.
Fast forward to today — the rack and ladder are less than three years old, and I’m seeing significant rust on both. This isn’t light surface oxidation either; the corrosion appears to be progressing in areas that raise concerns about structural integrity.

Here’s what makes it more frustrating:

The rack has never been used — not once.
It was installed strictly for aesthetics.
The vehicle is hand washed only (no harsh automatic car washes or chemicals).
The truck isn’t abused or used in extreme conditions.
Given the price point and reputation of the brand, I honestly did not expect this level of deterioration this quickly — especially on a rack that has never carried a load.
At this point, I’m concerned not just about appearance but about safety. Roof racks and ladders are load-bearing components by design. Significant rust on welds and structural sections doesn’t inspire confidence if we ever decided to actually use it.

So I’m asking the community:

Is this level of rust normal for a GOBI rack at under 3 years old?
Has anyone else experienced similar corrosion issues?
If so, how did GOBI handle it?
I chose this brand specifically because of its strong reputation here, so I’m hoping this isn’t typical. I’d appreciate any insight or shared experiences before I move forward further with customer service.
Thanks in advance.

 

[T4R2014]

You'd have to pick at it until a hole is exposed to verify it is structural. It might be on the tube, but the rest looks fine. I don't see this as any worse of a coating than other manufacturers. Overall these powder coats aren't worth shit and fail when exposed to elements for a prolonged time. I'd just wire brush until clean metal is exposed -> Ospho -> Rustoleum Rusty metal primer -> Rustoleum satin or whatever matches. Alternatively just take it off and get it sandblasted and re-powder coated. But you'll be in the same boat in three years. Powder coat just doens't last any better than paint and is harder to touch up.

 

[premise]

I'd be mad about this, especially those first two pics. That's aggressive rust for sure. Bad paint prep? Bad steel?

 

[Chumly]

My Gobi Rack / Ladder is about the same age. I live near salt water and use the rack occasionally. I cannot find a speck of rust on it. It seems like the powder coat would need to be missing / scratched / deficient for that to happen that quickly.