I have a 2005 xA that I got about 2 weeks ago. I noticed some weird yellowish streaks on the rocker panels, like something had leaked out of the door. Upon further inspection it looks like rust coming out of every single one of the door drains! Take a look and tell me what you think it might be from and what I should expect the dealer to do about it.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-3/15236/driver-front-1.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-3/15236/driver-front-2.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-3/15236/driver-rear-1.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-3/15236/driver-rear-2.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-3/15236/driver-rear-3.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-3/15236/passenger--rear-1.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-3/15236/passenger--rear-2.jpg

Haven't seen that one before....I'd suggest going to your dealer and show them the problem.

Go to the dealer ASAP. That's covered by your warranty!!!

This morning while washing my car, I noticed MORE rust spots! There are a bunch of small spots hidden by the rear window wiper and a lot of rust building up under the back emblem. I also found lots of tiny rust dots along the edge of the underside of the window area on the pack quarterpannel. Looks like this isn't just a door issue anymore.

I think I want an entirely new car. Here are some of the additional rust areas Ive found.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-3/15236/emblem-area.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-3/15236/rear-hatch.jpg

lol that will never be fixed by the dealer. i mean i hope they do, but i doubt it. they should but ill bet they give some kind of bull____ excuse.

The sad thing is they'll try and come up with some excuse for the rust, like your a Florida resident and cars rust there or something lame like that...

I hope they'll repaint and repair anything you need though :D


Best of luck to you!!!

DAN

aw hell no that shouldn't happen. Agreed, don't let them give you a lame excuse...you need a new car.

Sounds like when your car was shipped over, it was sitting topside and exposed to the elements and sea spray.

For the rust stains pouring out of the door, I'd bet you have a leak in the window (probaly the rubber seal at the base)

As for the emblem... that's just ____ty.

Dont we have a anti-rust warranty type thing??? I agree you should get a new car!

they are gonna be like soo did you get the optional paint protection? no? well im sorry we cant cover that becasue it hasnt rusted enuff for us to fix it under warranty have a nice day :?

could also be that your car missed the primer section on the assembly line...it probably went straight through when they were refilling the sprayers...

There definitely are door leaks. Weird thing is that it is EVERY door! One I could see having an issue.. but all 4?

Scion xAxB, good point. I wonder if thats possible? It would explain the rust.

The main thing is I've had the car less than 2 weeks. So, it's not something that 'just' happened, or something I caused to happen. They can't pin it on me. I have an appointment to see the manager at the dealership this afternoon at 1:30 pm. I'll let you know what they say.

Dont we have a anti-rust warranty type thing??? I agree you should get a new car!

Yes, according to edmunds.com:

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison;jsessionid=BmO6UKxBhFbOMQDKO4C3cxTPjrln2RpXyEd78xLpGFiMGxP1ydzD!-1604408684?op=0&tab=pricing&isbasecar=true&modelid=&styleid=&refid=&maxvehicles=5&vehicleindex=&removestyle=&numCars=2&just=center&modelId0=100503984&styleId0=100393202&modelId1=100503983&styleId1=100380484

I believe you said that your XA is white, if so then some of the "rust" spots are from contamination or brake dust which is full of metallic particles, these specs of metal are hot and get imbedded in the paint and then they rust, the good news is that they can be removed, either by buffing or other methods, i work in a body shop and see this all the time. If your dealer is willing it could be a warranty claim. I have a white XB and I use a clay bar to remove them about once a month if you keep up on it they come off pretty easy. Just one of the joys of owning a white vehicle,

I believe you said that your XA is white, if so then some of the "rust" spots are from contamination or brake dust which is full of metallic particles, these specs of metal are hot and get imbedded in the paint and then they rust, the good news is that they can be removed, either by buffing or other methods, i work in a body shop and see this all the time. If your dealer is willing it could be a warranty claim. I have a white XB and I use a clay bar to remove them about once a month if you keep up on it they come off pretty easy. Just one of the joys of owning a white vehicle,

I might be crazy but I really dont think brake dust gets into the inside of the door where the pics show. I say they should give you a new car...but I doubt they will...maybe just a new paint job.

From the looks of it, it has nothing to do with brake dust rust. Its obvious that the rust is exiting through the drain holes of the door. As someone mentioned earlier, it looks as if it wasnt primered during assembly. Please keep us informed of the results.

i have this fear too. i was changing my door speakers and i found that the inside of the doors (all 4) were wet everywhere.
i found that the weatherstrip at the bottom of the window does not seal well. there are gaps to the left and right where it meats the vertical parts. it also does not seem to keep a tight seal against the window.

the inside of my door was not fully painted, just primer with some color overspray near openings.

this is an area for poeple to watchout for

the stains coming from your door is problably moisture getting in from rain or dew coming down the window run channels and effecting the bolts thats prolly why your getting them from all four doors but as for the emblem rust and the rust in the rear by your wiper that is an issue that i recommed you take up with the dealer. Best of luck

I guess I should have been more specific, the "rust" on the hatch is PROBOBLY from brake dust, the stuff coming out of the door, could be anything, I am sure some water gets in there or there would not be drain holes. I also wonder who thinks that the inside of your door would be fully painted? Or that some sort of assembly line ran out of primer and your car just went right through. Thats how rumors get started, these cars are built in Japan where they take pride in their work, they don't just let stuff go. Either way your dealer should do something to fix it, because it seems like you have a legitament problem, unlike people that _____ that their climate control knob is not complete aluminum. Good Luck

looks like I have an awesome sense of timing. Apparently some bigwig Scion people from CA are going to be at the dealership at 3pm today so ALL the General Managers for Toyota and Scion were there, along with the Owner. They all came out and looked at my car. General consensus was that they had never seen anything like it before and had to figure out what to do. They are keeping my car for the bigwig Scion people from CA to see and to ask them what is going on with it. They gave me a loaner and I'm to call them at 5:00 this evening.

The Service Manager found even more rust on the inside of the hatch. Leading me to believe that there is a problem under the paint of the entire car. There are spots on both rear quarter panels, the outside of the hatch, the interior of the hatch, and all of the doors. It's definitely not break dust, or grease, or pollen.

I'll post another update after I get back from the dealership and they figure out what they are going to do.

WOW!
yes, please keep us posted.
Unfortunately, that type of rust problem does not get fixed with a new paint job.
Considering that the paint has not been damaged, the rust is forming from the inside.
That car needs to be taken appart and studied to see what went wrong.
You should be given a new car. Period.
I'll be going over my Xb tonight when I get home.

Diffently let us know what gets said this afternoon.

You should diffently be given a new car, if they want to keep their customers happy.

It wouldn't surprise me if the rust was coming from nuts, bolts, studs or other non-body panel things on your car, as somebody above mentioned. The dealer will probably have to pull some panels apart and take a look to find the source.

well I just called the dealership and they have it in the body shop and are taking it apart to see what is going on with it, so I won't know anything more until tomorrow. Apparently the CA bigwigs were surprised and have no clue what it might be either. So, more news tomorrow. *sigh*

Perhaps the ship from Japan had no room left so they placed it on a wooden raft and towed it to port. :lol:

All kidding aside, no matter what the problem is, I hope in the end they make you satisfied. A car looking like that usually comes with a salvage title. There is no reason why you should be forced into keeping it, even if they "fix" it. Their concern should be making you happy & satisfied.

i have this fear too. i was changing my door speakers and i found that the inside of the doors (all 4) were wet everywhere.
i found that the weatherstrip at the bottom of the window does not seal well. there are gaps to the left and right where it meats the vertical parts. it also does not seem to keep a tight seal against the window.

the inside of my door was not fully painted, just primer with some color overspray near openings.

this is an area for poeple to watchout for

Water inside the door is not unusual, but there are drain holes in the bottom of the door that should take care of it. Make sure that the drain holes aren't blocked.

I was disappointed by the fact that the paint was _very_ frugally applied. Primer isn't really meant to stop corrosion. Even the inside of the fuel filler door is lacking a finish coat.

I guess I'm too used to old VWs where the paint inside the door panels is equal in quality to the paint on the exterior!

George

i never expected the inside of the door to be fully painted, but i did want to see primer and base coat. just like under the carpet or like the rear hatch. (the inner skin of the rear hatch is primer and base coated)
primer alone is not enough IMO.

yes i do make sure that the drain holes are clean and clear. (good point though)

i am only worried that it looked like someone took a hose to the inside of my door.
everything was dripping wet including my new speakers.
and this is the part that really bothers me. my car was sitting in the same spot for 2 days then it rained for two to three hours (1/2 inch of rain or less).
about five to six hours later i opened up the door and saw all this rain water inside my door.

but ,this thread is not about me, so i am waiting to hear what the big wigs have to say about the rust stuff.

ok I just got off the phone with the dealer. The floor manager told me that the rust spots are coming from metal flakes from when the Spoiler was put on the car. I asked her "What am I supposed to do if it comes back and how does that account for the rust in the doors?" She said she didn't know but that Juan the Service Manager was handling it and he would be in on Monday.

So I'm supposed to go pick-up my car today, but I don't want to pick to up until I have something in writing, stating that it isn't a problem and what they think it is and what their feelings on the rust in the door are, which would mean I have to wait till Monday to get my car. Is it unreasonable for me to feel that way?

ok I just talked to the Manager again and told her I don't want to pick up my car until Monday when I can also pick-up something in writing about the rust. She didn't have a problem with it. So looks like now I just have to deal with Juan on Monday morning.

ok I just got off the phone with the dealer. The floor manager told me that the rust spots are coming from metal flakes from when the Spoiler was put on the car. I asked her "What am I supposed to do if it comes back and how does that account for the rust in the doors?" She said she didn't know but that Juan the Service Manager was handling it and he would be in on Monday.

So I'm supposed to go pick-up my car today, but I don't want to pick to up until I have something in writing, stating that it isn't a problem and what they think it is and what their feelings on the rust in the door are, which would mean I have to wait till Monday to get my car. Is it unreasonable for me to feel that way?

They have explained the rust in the rear hatch (not well, though, as there should not be a way for water to get inside the hatch in any quantity) but they haven't explained the rust in the doors. Drilling the spoiler did not put shavings in the doors!

Also, there are very detailed and specific procedures for installing the spoiler, which include using a flexible magnet to extract all the metal shavings from the hatch. If the dealer (assuming a dealer install) didn't do a thorough job on that, what other preparation tasks did they do badly?

George <--glad that he didn't get a spoiler!

Hey Kara,
You're better off getting a new xA :lol: I hope they do the best they are able to make you happy...

Well, at this point I want them to explain the door rust issue to my full satisfaction. And I want everything in writing from them. I'm not seriously worried about it (I am concerned, but I was tired of losing sleep over it). Flroida does have a Lemon law and I'm going to watch the car very carefully. At the first sign of a reoccurance of the issue the car will instantly be back in the shop. 3 strikes, their out and have to give me a new car.

I got the car back today and it looks great. I can't see or feel any inconsistancies or rough areas where the rust was on the body. There was no staining of the paint. YAY! good news.

The staining of the door drains was attributed to an excessive amount of grease inside the doors. Apparently whomever or whatever greased my doors up went nuts and used WAY too much. So much so that the grease was running out of the drains. It's brown grease. There wasn't any rust, it was just the color of the grease. They cleaned out all the excess grease, and he told me I might have a little discharge from the drains but it will go away.

So I'm super relieved. I'm still feeling a little skeptical, but I feel a LOT better. I got everything in writing too. They really handled it in a professional manner and made everything as pleasant for me as possible. I just hope the issue really is resolved. If not, I'll update this post.

Thanks for the support guys!

hey glad everything worked out with your car!! awesome.. yeah the mazda 6's had that problem yet it was REAL RUST.. after only NINETY DAYS!! scary!!

yeah I know how it feels going hard on the dealer.. we're a picky bunch of customers.. i think the toyota dealers are realizing this.. i believe they were warned by scion that we would be very hard customers to please.. i kinda feel bad going harsh on my dealer.. but they realize i'm picky.. hey the way i am :)

but grease is a much better thing than rust.. hey think of it this way.. those door panels are well lubricated now.. :lol:

So... did they flush the doors, clean all the metal shavings off (that they left on it in the first place), and remove the rust before they returned the car to you?

what the dealer said sounds about right to me.

the metal shavings from drilling for the spoiler will get everywhere. you can use a magnet and still not get all the little bits.

and now that you what the dealer explained about the doors, i took mine apart and indeed there is a layer of grease on the (inside) bottom of the door.
the funny thing is, it was prolly put there to prevent rusting.

yes, they cleaned all the excess grease out of the doors. They cleaned all the shavings off, then detailed and waxed my car. They gave me their findings in writing.

They really went the mile to make me happy. I'm going to bring them donuts this weekend. :D