Hi ,
I'm new here and have a 2004 F250 XLT xcab w/short bed.
There is a problem. It is already rusting out the doors and ford is not replacing the door. I have had it since November no scratches or dings just a rust bubble under the paint already.
This reminds me of 1989 all over again.
Is there anyone else with this problem?

 

Hello Bob. This question really belongs in the Superduty forum. I have faith that one of the moderators will bump this accordingly. Im sorry to hear about this situation.


Rich

 

Don't take "no" for an answer. They may not actually replace the door, but I would think they have a responsibility to take care of the rust problem. Go up the chain of command until you get the problem solved. Document all conversations and keep good records of what steps you are taking. Let them know that you are documenting all conversations and comments.You are going to have to demonstrate to them that you are serious in having them resolve the problem. Talking often times is not sufficient. What is that old saying; B.S. walks, paper talks. Get documenting. Don't lose your composure. This only works to there advantage.

 

Thanks,
I already started today and I was cool.
Next step Wednesday.

 

I had the same problem with a 1985 E150, although I had rust spots all over. Ford eventually painted the spots but they rusted back out along with many other spots within 6 months again. If that ever happened to me again I would demand an entire new vehicle. We think the van sat as a bare steel body over a weekend and they painted over the surface rust. The rust formed anywhere the panels were handled during assy.

 

That makes a lot of sense... good thinking.

 

It was a friday-monday vehicle, full of bugs. I would never order another vehicle. They would have to show me the build sheet on any vehicle on the lot. I don't want another experience like that one. Rust eventually destroyed the vehicle. It still ran great (after modifications).

 

I just got confirmation that Ford is replacing my 04 F250 because of rust. I noticed it on the tail pipe before I actually signed the papers. The fleet manager said it was no big deal, and that they will replace the tail pipe. Then I lifted the truck 6" and I was able to see everything under the truck; MAJOR RUST, EVERYWHERE! The dealer felt so bad (RARE) that they just went straight to Ford, sent out a rep, and the new truck was approved! The problem is that there are no 04's left like mine, so today I received a call that they are ordering me an 05. Not bad except for all this o4 suspension stuff, $6000 worth. I talked to the rep and she said, no problem, Ford will buy it from me! So now I wait for my new truck! For once a happy ending; SO FAR!
There also was a small item that the dealer never told me about that was in the Ford Detroit database; my truck had front end damage. Of course they fixed it, but they never disclosed it! I knew there was something funky when the lift kit items were hard to line up. Also the bumper was misaligned when I first bought it! My thoughts are that they APPROVED this transaction so fast with no fuss because they knew how much trouble they would be in if I made a big deal about the front end damage! Anyway- Now I just have to wait for someone to come out with a lift kit for this beast!

Regards,

Jeff

 

Do you know what may have caused the rust all over ?


Ken - THE HIGH COUNCIL

 

Jolly Mon

Please be advised that your truck may FLIP over with the lift kit installed.

I go to Glamis Desert in the Winter to ride my quads and I see Lifted Trucks Flipped over all the time. It makes me cry to see a new truck squished. Have you thought of just a photo of your truck lifted ?

Then you could continue to drive your safe stock Ford Quality Truck


Ken - THE HIGH COUNCIL

 

The Ford Engineer had all kinds of answers as to WHY the truck was all rusted. He even when as far to say that was NORMAL in MI. I told him that I don't live in MI and that I want the choice to have a rusty truck or not! The excuse that made the most sense was that the truck was probably transported by truck and that my truck was the on the tail end of the trailer, on the bottom. The truck was built in Jan 04 therefore it went through a storm or two with salt on the road and when delivered to the dealer, it was never washed off! I bought the truck in Jun 04. These trucks are in very high demand, I couldn't understand why this one sat for six months. After I was informed of the front end damage, it all kind of made sense!

And YES, lifted trucks do tip over, IF YOU DO STUPID THINGS with them! If you know the limits, they are just fine.

BTW, this truck is a WHITE F250 4x4 XLT Crew Cab Long Bed, with a 7'' lift, nothing too drastic!

 

Inspite of all thats been said, Ford really shouldn't argue. Especially when it's an issue of rust! They even have a seperate warranty for sort of thing. If I'm not mistaken its 5yrs/unlimited mileage.

 

When a truck is exposed to salt like that you can NEVER wash it all off. You could set it in a swimming pool for a month with 4 firehoses under it going full blast and never get enuf off that it would not rust. If you undercoat it at that point it will seal in the salt and make it rust worse. Salt is nasty stuff. I have to laugh at these undercoating places that wash the bottom side of a vehicle off with steam to get the salt off, -totally useless.

Good luck with the new truck. I hope it isn't a friday-monday vehicle.

 

It's a 5-year/ unlimited-mileage perforation warranty. The rust has to develop into a hole in the outer sheet metal to be covered. Now, Ford can make an exception if the rust is obviously due to a manufacturing defect, and would eventually lead to a rust-through situation, anyways.

 

This is interesting. On my old 2002 I had a rust spot forming on the roof, and on my used 2002 I also noticed a rust spot on the roof. I might have to swing it by the dealer and have em look at it.