Brand-new car has tiny but visible rust spots. What recourse have I?

Question

My 2006 Subaru Forester has fewer than 500 (yes, five-hundred) miles on it; I bought it new three months ago. I purchased the optional 5-year "advanced vehicle protection" -- a $400 feature that is supposed to protect the exterior and interior from cooties and stuff like that (but, apparently, not rust). Oh, and the car is always garaged.

Of course I'll alert the car dealer, but what is reasonable and realistic for me to expect? I'm plenty disappointed, and I don't want that bitterness to cloud what's realistic. Please advise.

Answer 1

The problem you have is called "rail dust" and is very common, most noticeable on white or light colored vehicles---the dealer prep department should have methods of removing these little spots and are covered under new car prep or warranty. Methods we used in our prep department were clay bar removal or oxalic acid--"wood bleach" These tiny rust spots are from metal particles being thrown up in the air from train wheels on the trains used to transport new vehicles and they settle onto the cars and rust. Every car manufacturer that ships via rail knows of the problem and pays their dealer network to remove the rail dust under warranty or new car prep.....you should not have to pay for it and they should offer a rental car for a day for your inconvenience---problem should have been caught at the new car check-in prep.
http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/reference/troubleshooting_guide/rail_dust/index.cfm
http://www.properautocare.com/usclaybartor.html

Answer 2

Clearly your "disappointment" is both appropriate and reasonable. I suggest that you begin by taking many detailed digital photos of the damage. Then, read the new car warranty and the "advanced vehicle protection" details carefully. They should both provide the legal and ethical framework for you to expect nearly total satisfaction. While you are at the dealership, take comparable photos of the same areas on similar new cars that are yet unsold. At the low end, you should expect complete, professional and quality repainting (at the Subaru's expense) of the affected areas. If the rusted areas represent 20% or more of the car's painted surfaces, I believe that you have a good arguement for a new replacement vehicle or a full refund of purchase price. You might also check your local rules regarding small claims court, if the dealer is uncooperative. With 500 miles and two warrantys it seems unlikely that a small calims judge would rule against you, but it should not get to that point with any reasonable dealership. I also recommend contating the Subaru customer service reps at the first sign your dealership is balking. If it is a defective paint job, they SHOULD be quite eager to evaluate what went wrong, for both legal and quality control reasons.

Be certain to share your photos with the dealership. That will demonstrate that you are well-prepared and determined.

I wish you luck along with total satisfaction.

Answer 3

What you should expect is for the car to be repaired, in that constitutes a complete new paint job than so be it. The car is new should not have any defects especially rust, that means they did not do something right, if the dealer gives you a hard time contact the Subaru distributer or customer service direct, the dealer should be able to give you the number

Answer 4

I hope this helps on little rust spots, I found it on a wbesite (www.corrosionconnection.com) that is dedicated to rust and corrosion
To fix a small rust spot in your cars paint is quite simple.

First clean the area to remove any dirt and grease.
Next use a chemical to dissolve the rust and etch the surface or you can sand down the rust.
The final step is to apply a sealant over the area to help prevent rust in the future.
After these three steps repaint the area and buff the area until the finish matches the rest of the car.
Try and do all these steps in the same day, leaving large gaps of time between one step and another can result in less than optimal results.

I hope this helps!

Answer 5

You should expect that rust to be repaired. I wouldn't stop until you are writing to the President of Subaru with this problem until they fix it. For this vehicle to rust this soon it had to have been damaged at the dealers lot or water was on the body before paint.

Answer 6

it sounds like your car has a fine coating of rail dust. most cars are delivered to a railhead, and then trucked to your dealer. the rail car is made of steel and iron and rust dust on the rail car, which blows on your new car. the dealer should have seen it and removed it by giving it an acid bath. If your dealer has sealed your paint, then that is all the proof you need . The Rust Is Under The Paint Sealant! contact your manufature and ask for a service rep to meet you at the dealer. MAKE THEM FIX IT!

Answer 7

Rust On New Car

Answer 8

It sounds like you car might have rail dust contamination. Its from the brakes of a train that might have shipped your car to the dealers. The hot metal particles melt into the paint. Sometimes it will have to be repainted. Im not sure what Subaru's warranty policy is on this. I worked at this one dealer that had it taken care of for me when I bought a new pickup. Good luck

Answer 9

Its a decect right from the factory so they should do something about it if the metal was not up to standard or the coating was not able to protect your car from rust.
i would be very upset.
My car is 5 years old, i park it outside and it has no rust at all and i drive a ford

Answer 10

most new vehicles have a 5 yr. 100,000 mile warranty on rust through and if your car is brand new I would expect them to make it right for you no matter what, they should sand down and repaint the car if that is what you want, I think personally I would get a factory rep. involved in it and see what they want to do on giving you a new car as I really wouldn't want a brand new car repainted.