Liftgate paint peel/bubble

[Sisente]

I have seen some posts regarding rusted liftgates but I don't see any signs of rust yet. The rest of the body is in great shape, including undercarriage. Is this just a 4Runner known issue? I got my runner used, and it is an 03. It started life in New England, made its way to Florida, then on to Texas where I got it. (According to car fax).

 

[Sisente]

Another spot

 

[jonesmw10]

I would almost think that was repainted in the past. I have small spots on mine but it is from stone chips. First time I've seen it like that on a 4th gen though.

 

[progress4m]

I would almost think that was repainted in the past. ....First time I've seen it like that on a 4th gen though.

I agree with that.

 

[Sisente]

I plan on sanding and painting (again) I guess. Thanks

 

[ndbuck09]

Rust

I would bet somehow the dampening material behind the metal is getting wet and holding moisture. If you never get that out of there, itll just keep going until you need a whole new hatch.

On my 06 4runner, I had a spot beside the license plate that had started bubbling and rusting from the backside. I took it to the body shop to get repaired and they found that the rear hatch lock/keyhole had a seal that was bad and water had gotten into the inside of the hatch. There is dampening material or something in there that holds water and that just was never allowed to dry out because of the closed space. Over time this caused rust from the backside out.

To repair my body shop cut out around the rusted area and patched it back in and repainted the whole hatch, perfectly btw. Total cost was around $650.

 

[Sisente]

I would bet somehow the dampening material behind the metal is getting wet and holding moisture. If you never get that out of there, itll just keep going until you need a whole new hatch.

On my 06 4runner, I had a spot beside the license plate that had started bubbling and rusting from the backside. I took it to the body shop to get repaired and they found that the rear hatch lock/keyhole had a seal that was bad and water had gotten into the inside of the hatch. There is dampening material or something in there that holds water and that just was never allowed to dry out because of the closed space. Over time this caused rust from the backside out.

To repair my body shop cut out around the rusted area and patched it back in and repainted the whole hatch, perfectly btw. Total cost was around $650.

Thanks. I'll pull the hatch apart this weekend and see what I can find.

 

[Sisente]

My solution to the bubbling paint

 

[Sisente]

Thankfully, there was no rust. Just bubbling paint