Rust on 2014 Ford Edge

[Nickmatt5692]

Recently bought a 2014 Ford Edge from an Ford dealership. I noticed some slight rust while test driving the car and asked the salesman about it and he stated that it was normal, because of the coating Ford puts on. When I got home I noticed that it has quite a bit of rust.

 

https://imgur.com/gallery/pCgoX

 

Do you think this is normal? Carfax/title is clean. One owner from Michigan.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Wow, that is a LOT, but knowing that the Edge is from Michigan, quite possibly "normal". How many miles on the Edge? I am surprised there are no rust spots on the hood, at/near the chromework, etc. The previous owner definitely did not wash their vehicle regularly, which is a must in states that salt roads for the winter ... Don't be surprised if you have brake work ahead as well.

[Nickmatt5692]

It has 38k miles on it. That's really why I didn't notice it, the body and interior are flawless.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Then its likely the undercarriage was never washed. If it was, the salt would not have a chance to accumulate and cause the damage you posted about. Some (surface) rust is of course going to happen regardless. It happens on the brake rotors, but the rotors get scraped clean every time you brake.

[akirby]

Clean it really well, use a wire brush to get most of it off and then hit it with some rust converter coating.

[IWRBB]

If you do all that, then go ahead and paint it. Rust converter should be top coated.

 

That's pretty bad for a 2014, but it could have seen the winter of 2013, 2014, and 2015 before you got it. 3 years in Michigan, depending on where, can easily case the rust you are seeing.

 

Most of it looks to be on heavy pieces of steel- the subframe, control arm, strut bodies, so it's really all just "surface rust" when you consider how much steel is left. Rust on the thin body panels is way more of an issue- the bottoms of doors/hood/liftgate, wheel wells, rockers and floor pans are what you need to really keep an eye on.

[factor99]

Here, where your vehicle is coated in fine salt 5 minutes after it is washed most of the winter, this is a fairly normal looking undercarriage.

 

All that area is pelted with whatever is on the road, damaging the minimal paint on it.

 

I don't think suspension rust causes many problems,and though brake rotors can get very rusty on the non-wearing surfaces, they usually keep working fine (getting bolts off can be another story though).

 

Years ago I did have a brake line rust through on a 15 year old Toyota.

Edited November 1, 2016 by factor99

[akirby]

Years ago I did have a brake line rust through on a 15 year old Toyota.

 

Could have been worse.

 

[Liptoss]

This is my second Ford in the last 10 years. My first was a 2008 Focus. It's systemic, it seems. Fords seem to be rust buckets after a few years. Then again, it could be many manufacturers. I notice MAZDA has loads of rust too? Hmmmm

I bought a 2013 off a Ford dealer lot last March. It was a 2013 which was on the road in 2012. So, 2 winters before I bought it. Mine under carriage is pretty much rusted up like yours. P/O didn't take of it much care I'm guessing.

YUP! I just replace all brakes (rotors, pads, pins etc) all around. Rotors were flaking and lunching themselves.

MY issue now is with the seams on the 2 rear doors and the back hatch. On the doors it's not along the bottom rocker panel edge but up along the curve of the wheel well. The seam edge on the back gate is all along the bottom. It's rust bubbling under the paint. UNACCEPTABLE for a 4 year old vehicle.

I've had a dealer spray Rust Check in all the doors and panels last fall, but it looks like it's too late. Garbage rolled steel that has been specified I've been told... heh. That's another story.

I'm hitting it with doses of Rust Check on my own now, hopefully it'll hold off at least until I can dump it for a new vehicle.

[akirby]

I've never had a bit of rust on any of my Fords for the last 25 years. Then again we don't get snow, ice and salt in the wintertime. Any vehicle is going to rust in those conditions without proper maintenance/cleaning.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Just noticed a chip in the paint at the leading edge of the hood. If I had not run my hand along the edge to check, would never have noticed it. Time to prime/paint ...

[fishx65]

That's pretty normal in the salt belts of Michigan. The previous owner probably parked it in an attached garage which makes salt damage even worse.

[scorpionking0102]

I pretty much agree with all of your replys. THATS A LOT OF RUST for a 2014. You could possibly take it to your local Ziebart dealer. I once called one becaused I had a Mazda Tribute rusting and they say their sprays have converters in them. It was about $350 though. That's only what the Ziebart guy told me and not my opinion.

[Liptoss]

Not normal for doors and body, probably low grade sheet metal from specifications given to suppliers.

[bubbadewsky]

I have a 2014 Edge only been in salt once. I washed the undercarriage after, it has no rust. I would wash that undercarriage very well and apply a coat of heavy oil on the rust..............will be ok for atleast 30 yrs. Years ago we used to get an oil can and squirt the undercarriage then drive down a dusty dirt road rust was never a problem then.

 

 

I found that undercoating peels after a few years then the peeled sections become traps for salt

Edited November 7, 2016 by bubbadewsky

[lildisco]

Used a product called fluid film for years. Multiple different vehicles that helps prevent a lot of salt/brine from reaching the the frame, brake lines, etc. My brother in law & I spray about 10+ vehicles a year for the last 4-5 years,ranging from a rusted 97 blazer, 2002 ford focus, 2003 Toyota Tacoma to a 2015 Toyota 4 Runner & i spray our '16 Edge. Very little, if any, rust exists on those vehicles.

 

Fluid film absorbs into the metal/rust & gives it a protective layer from the elements. I sprayed the Edge as soon as we got it in March & then again a few weeks ago to prepare for winter. I just sprayed in & around the wheel wells tonight when i was swapping to the winter wheels.

 

Google it when you get a chance. It's worth your time to watch some of the videos about it.

 

http://www.fluid-film.com

 

https://m.lowes.com/pd/Fluid-Film-11-75-oz-Fluid-Film-Rust-Corrosion-Preventive-Penetrant-Lubricant/50335157

 

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Fluid+film+reviews

[2FAST4U]

I've been rustproofing all my vehicles for years with an oil-based stuff which gets into every nook and cranny and never had any rust problem. Works great and is a good investment if you intend to keep your car for a long time. There are several companies here in Canada who specialize in these kinds of rustproofing treatments.

 

Claude.

[IWRBB]

Used a product called fluid film for years.

 

Loves me some fluid film, but it reeks. Takes a good few months to go away.

[lildisco]

Loves me some fluid film, but it reeks. Takes a good few months to go away.

Never had it last for months, a week & a few days yes. Depends on how much you drive i guess.

Edited November 8, 2016 by lildisco

[enigma-2]

My 2009 MKX still has no body rust, dispite having been registered in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana since new.

 

The roads here in Northern Indiana are particularly bad for rusting in winter months as they switched to a salt slurry a few years ago to start the melting process faster. Eats cars alive however.

 

I use an electronic rust control module, the one that pulses high frequency radio waves. Been on since new. First owner installed when the MKX was new and then took it with him when he bought a new MKX. When I bought it used, I had the same model module put on. Seems to be working as there's no rust on any body panel (including underbelly.) As I understand it, the module only works to prevent rust on galvanized parts. (Comes with a warranty against surface rust and rust through.)

[IWRBB]

Electronic rust protection is BS. It would work fine if you had a path to ground. However, given that cars sit on rubber tires- all they do is separate you from your money. If they worked, everyone would have them. For the record, cathodic protection obviously does work- but those add on anti-rust boxes for your car DO NOT. 7 years is still a bit young for most Fords to show rust on the body panels themselves. You might see bubbles at the door seams though. I can guarantee there's all kinds of rust on your subframe, suspension parts, brakes, engine/suspension nuts and bolts, exhaust parts, heat shields, etc..

[enigma-2]

I agree for most of the current tenders I've seen, the jury is out on this system.

As I stated, it only protects galvanized sheet metal parts, so seeing corrosion on bare steel parts is no surprise.

 

For a car in a heavy salt slurry area, I yet to see any rust on the belly or anywhere else. So for now I'm still thinking that it might be doing something.

 

The principal of operation is patented. The man that discovered it noticed an old galvanized steel storage tank completely untouched fy rust (while others in the area were.)

Being an engineer, he investigated and found the one which was not rusted was being protected by a local radio tower which was inducing currents in the steel. He found that when galvanizing finally breaks down, the zinc will naturally sacrifice itself and slow down the corrosion process. However moisture in the air reacts with the zinc and cause zinc to form zinc oxide. Zinc oxide tends to block zinc from forming across the break and will allow corrosion to form on the unprotected steel. The module generated a pulse to create a radio frequency current in the metal which is supposed to neutralize the oxide from forming. So far (seven years) I'm pleased with the result; but time will tell.

[David Young]

When i was a child in the 1960's we could always tell when we saw a 2 or 3 years old car with rust holes in the body, we knew that car was from Ohio or Michigan

 

That is a lot of rust for a 2014

[Liptoss]

Been looking at many other 2013 units being driven in the same areas as myself. NOPE none of them have any issue of bubbling paint along the rear door seams or along the back lid lower seam.

Cheap crap that's all. I'll chalk this one up. JUST LIKE THE CRAPPY FOCUS rocker panels of years gone by.

I'll deal with it, it's ok. I'll keep it in the back of my mind for my next purchase of a vehicle though.

[IWRBB]

Never had it last for months, a week & a few days yes. Depends on how much you drive i guess.

 

Depends on how much was used, and in what locations. If you spray it inside your doors and the lower seam, you'll smell it for a good long while, especially in the summer.