My first Ford experience disappointing... ( long and pic heavy )

[adamantium]

Let me start off by saying this is a great forum. I found a wealth of information about the new Explorers when I started researching them which finally led me to purchasing one. This is where it starts. None of my local dealers had Explorer Sports in stock so I had to special order one from the factory. I placed the order on 12/19/12 and was told 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. I had a week long family vacation planned for right around when the vehicle was supposed to arrive. The 6 week mark passes and no car. So I figure maybe they are a little behind and I'll have it by week 8. At this time I reschedule the family vacation for a few weeks later hoping the car would arrive in time. When I see there is no delivery date in sight I cancel the vacation all together. Checking in with the dealer from time to time I finally get the vehicle birth record from FMCC. It sat in order processing until mid Febuary and was produced Febuary 17. In transit and received at the train yard Febuary 18. They halted it in transport for final tail light assembly. When I called Ford they said there was a quality control issue with the tail lights which I'm wondering if that meant it was damaged and they had to wait for new one to be put in. So fast forward to March 19. The car finally arrives in the Orlando Florida rail yard. March 20 they receive it at the dealer. 13 weeks for delivery. By now most of the excitement my family and I had withered away. I tell the dealer I wouldn't be able to pick it up until 3/26/13 because of work. They said they would have it all detailed and ready to go when I come in that day. I show up the 26th and give it a pretty good inspection inside and out. Sign the papers and drive home my 2013 Ford Explorer Sport. I get it home and start pawing around and getting familiar with the car. I'm curious what AWD system looks like and the exhaust system. This is where I get my shock. The whole under belly of the car is covered in salt, I'm assuming during transport to the rail yard, and has began rusting alot of the components. So for more than a month while the car was awaiting tail lights, the salt has been working it's corrosive magic. I expected better from Ford and a $40k+ vehicle. Now on to the pictures. You can see the white salt spray in most of the pics.

 

[colintrax]

Pretty common on new vehicles, I've seen worse and I live in Georgia.
Wouldn't hurt to take it back to the dealer, and tell them to wash it and do a corrosion coating or something. All of that is surface rust, so no biggie

I've never understood why the manufactures don't do something to protect the cars from rust/corrosion.

 

[adamantium]

Yeah suppose to take it in Monday. I'll see what they say.

 

[JDraper]

I've never understood why the manufactures don't do something to protect the cars from rust/corrosion.

It's because they have found that the parts last longer than if they have a paint coat on them that might crack or get scratched and let in water which will sit there and accelerate the corrosion process.

What you're showing is normal for just about any vehicle from any manufacturer. It's not an issue.

 

[corkey]

when it looks like this under, than you get a bit worried,

that little bit of rust you have will happen in time on any new vehicle,,
i know it's the point that you wanted it to look so good when you got it,, i get that
i sympathize,,
but as Neil Young said,,
rust never sleeps,,

 

[colintrax]

It's because they have found that the parts last longer than if they have a paint coat on them that might crack or get scratched and let in water which will sit there and accelerate the corrosion process.

What you're showing is normal for just about any vehicle from any manufacturer. It's not an issue.

I mean I don't get why the cars aren't completely wrapped in plastic or something. Idk, I guess that wouldn't work. But you think someone who come up with something

 

[peterk9]

Pretty common on new vehicles, I've seen worse and I live in Georgia.
Wouldn't hurt to take it back to the dealer, and tell them to wash it and do a corrosion coating or something. All of that is surface rust, so no biggie

I've never understood why the manufactures don't do something to protect the cars from rust/corrosion.

It's because they are in business to sell cars. If the bodies lasted forever, their sales would drop.
It would also take away from another 'rust proofing' package they could try and sell you.

Peter

 

[colintrax]

Buy why buy the rust proofing package if it's already rusted? :scratch:

 

[adamantium]

Guess I'm a little spoiled because I live in Florida and don't normally have to worry about salt corrosion and drive mostly European cars in which they coat every single nut, bolt, and screw with some sort corrosion inhibitor. Plus my OCD doesn't help.

 

[peterk9]

Let me start off by saying this is a great forum. I found a wealth of information about the new Explorers when I started researching them which finally led me to purchasing one. This is where it starts. None of my local dealers had Explorer Sports in stock so I had to special order one from the factory. I placed the order on 12/19/12 and was told 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. I had a week long family vacation planned for right around when the vehicle was supposed to arrive. The 6 week mark passes and no car. So I figure maybe they are a little behind and I'll have it by week 8. At this time I reschedule the family vacation for a few weeks later hoping the car would arrive in time. When I see there is no delivery date in sight I cancel the vacation all together. Checking in with the dealer from time to time I finally get the vehicle birth record from FMCC. It sat in order processing until mid Febuary and was produced Febuary 17. In transit and received at the train yard Febuary 18. They halted it in transport for final tail light assembly. When I called Ford they said there was a quality control issue with the tail lights which I'm wondering if that meant it was damaged and they had to wait for new one to be put in. So fast forward to March 19. The car finally arrives in the Orlando Florida rail yard. March 20 they receive it at the dealer. 13 weeks for delivery. By now most of the excitement my family and I had withered away. I tell the dealer I wouldn't be able to pick it up until 3/26/13 because of work. They said they would have it all detailed and ready to go when I come in that day. I show up the 26th and give it a pretty good inspection inside and out. Sign the papers and drive home my 2013 Ford Explorer Sport. I get it home and start pawing around and getting familiar with the car. I'm curious what AWD system looks like and the exhaust system. This is where I get my shock. The whole under belly of the car is covered in salt, I'm assuming during transport to the rail yard, and has began rusting alot of the components. So for more than a month while the car was awaiting tail lights, the salt has been working it's corrosive magic. I expected better from Ford and a $40k+ vehicle.

Welcome to the Forum adamantium.:wavey:
From what I can see and as JDraper mentioned, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. It is all natural. The exposed metal/steel will begin to oxidize as soon as it is exposed to air. Apart from some salt spray, the rest would begin to look the same even if the Explorer just sat parked.

Peter

 

[peterk9]

Buy why buy the rust proofing package if it's already rusted? :scratch:

It is all surface rust right now. Most rustproofing is done to prevent rusting of panels like doors. trunks, any hollow areas. Many new coatings penetrate and prevent any existing rust from getting any worse. Besides, it sounds like a good idea if the salesman is convincing. Last vehicle I had done was at least 30 years ago.

Peter

 

[Dr Plastic]

All normal stuff....these area will rust whether there is salt on it of not. Ford will not warranty it as it only warranties rust perforation. All they will do is maybe pressure wash all the salt off other than that......I have worked at European car dealers and have see the same thing on MB's and VW's fresh off the truck.

 

[Turdle]

That is a heated exhaust part ( hanger) , no coating will stick, so leaving it un-coated will result in a stronger part over time. If there was a coating which was compromised, oxidation would travel under the coating, causing severe corrosion. Just as JDraper pointed out.

 

[NEWPORTNJ]

Jdraper & peterk9 are right there is nothing to worry that a normal your ex was transported on a trailer and rain snow etc gets in there you mention that there should wrap it car are not transported in a shopping bag or like audi, bmw, bentley, etc... Todays metal last longer than the metal cars were made of 20 years ago.

 

[bkool2323]

Stop crawling all around underneath, taking pictures of something that you can not control and is completely natural. Dust your self off, get inside the Explorer and enjoy the ride.

You must have a lot of spare time.

 

[IAmTodd]

This is normal, when you start to lose the dog legs and wheel arches then I'd get a little concerned.

 

[NEWPORTNJ]

You should take your explorer and wrap it in shrink rap come on ....!

 

[adamantium]

More problems

I was more disappointed in the 13 week wait and not being able to take my daughter on the trip that we had promised her. The rust was just an extra thing I wasn't expecting. Now that I was just getting over that stuff and enjoying the drive, I have the dreaded water leak that runs down the 3rd row passenger side seat belt argh back to the dealer again.

 

[adamantium]

Forgot to mention having problems with tailgate ajar every time I open it. Had dealer check it out. They said the latch mechanism is riveted in so they were unable to adjust it but adjusted the little rubber feet on the corners to where they felt it was working good

 

[billyg900]

that would bother me too...

but like the others said probably nothing to be worried about...