Hi, I placed an ad under general but it was deleted somehow so I will try here. I have a 2000 F150 extended cab 4x4 that is rusting in 3 spots. It is rusting on the bottom inside of the doors and tail gate as well as on the bottom of the drivers side window. The paint is bubbling on peeling off. Has anyone seen this? I am very discouraged by this.

The truck goes to the dealer tomorrow to be painted since it is still under warranty with only 34,500 miles on it. If there is a next time I will be paying for it. I am wondering if anyone else has seen this. This is my first Ford and the first time I have had a vechile rust in the 5 years I own them. They are garage kept and washed every weekend. Thanks for your input.

Brian

 

That is incredibly strange if you ask me. I have never seen anything rust within a year or two on any vehicle. Usually it takes a good 8 year of neglect for something like this to happen. Where was your truck made. It almost sounds like really bad prep work. Maybe it was built on a Friday?

People who say it can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it.

 

The truck was made in Norfolk. I am figuring it is a Friday or a Monday Truck! The in service date is Jan of 2000. I bought the truck in May of 2001. I guess I should have looked closer at it but I never would have expected this. We will see what the dealer says. I'm more concerned after I drive the next 1500 miles and it is out of warranty. I pay for the paint job then. If it is rusting in these places where else is it rusting that I can't see. As I stated it is very disappointing to me.

Brian

 

I'd look under the bed and around the wheel wells as well as front fender behind the wheel in the lower corner, then if you care to look inside the door but that takes some extra work.

I'd look at the flat parts of the frame where moisture can sit. Also, around the lower part of the windshield under the trim.

 

If you bought it may 2001 it was a used truck, are there any signs it could be a storm or salt water damaged vechicle that was past off by a private party?

 

Ford has released Technical Service Bulletin 01-09-08 regarding this concern. Take the truck to the dealer for this repair, as they have been sent special tools to perform the proper repair. If the TSB is not followed, the rust will likely reoccur.

 

I can understand your concern about the rust. I worked at a dealer body shop for a number of yeras here in Canada. It was and still is common to paint new vehicles before selling them. I never painted a complete but have done many panel repairs. The vehicles travel thousands of miles to reach a dealer. Human error leads to dings and dents. I would check for prior body work being done before taking it into the body shop. I think its imoportant to document all work that has been carried out on your truck-especially the work you don't know about. I understand someone has responded to your posting stating that a TSB is available. I would check into this as well.
Russ

 

Well I just wanted to update you. Back in the beginning of September the dealer repainted the areas under warranty. It is now a month and a half later and the bubbles are back.

I contacted the dealer and they haven't responded back yet. I contacted Ford since the truck now has 36,600 miles on it and Ford doesn't care. They are saying the truck is out of warranty and there is nothing they can do. The dealer did say it may come back and if I am out of warranty they won't stand behind it but I am hoping that since it is a month and half they stand behind it. In either case the truck is being sold. This is my first time with a Ford and I'm not impressed. It shouldn't be rusting to begin with and then it comes back so soon and no one cares. The downfall is I bought the truck 6 months ago so I will take a big loss when I trade it in. The good news is I was going to go in on Tuesday and buy a bedliner and other toys for it. Well I saved that money. Have a great day.

Brian

 

If the dealer doesnt stand behind it, I'd contact your state attorney general or better business bureau. Even if the truck is out of warranty, they still have to stand behind their work.

Stryder

I'd rather be walking through a hot desert carrying a Ford hubcap than driving a POS Chevy

 

Brian have you sold yet?? I have been following your concern here. I understand there is a TSB on this issue. What is the dealers response to date? Can you inform us if the vehicle has been refinished before you bought it? Look around moldings, rubbers etc.. to see if there is any undermasking i.e., paint on the under side of parts.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 22-Oct-01 AT 11:13 AM (EST)[/font][p]Could any chemicals have gotten on it?

I can think of several that would cause paint to peel, including hydraulic fluid from hands or boots...

Is that a possibility? Maybe from work, or somewhere?

I hope not, because me personally I'd have to take it out on a co-worker if it were the case!

Armour-all is also notorious for saturating metal and preventing paint from sticking no matter how well the surface is prepared after it has contaminated the pores of the metal...

Usually it causes "Fish-eyes" during painting...

 

There is a posting here stating that a TSB has been issued for this problem. I have searched the NHTSA site but am unable to locate it. Even searched Canada's site with no luck. Can someone repeat what the TSB says - verbatim please? What are the special tools required to complete the repair as stated by someone at this site?

 

Hello,
Well after walking car lots I didn't find anything I liked. I went to the dealer today and they will fix it again. I talked with them in length and here is the problem.

This can occur on late models of the F series, Explorer, Ranger and Expedition. How you can tell is the paint will bubble right by the crimp on the bottom inside of the door or tail gate. The issue per Ford is in manufacturing there is a chemical that is sprayed on the door. For what reason I don't know! Ford believes that there is some of the chemical left under the crimp. The TSB states to take a chisel and pry the crimp open and clean the area out. They are then to crimp the door again and repaint. If not done the problem will come back. My dealer states they don't believe the fix. He stated they did it to a door from an accident truck and it wasn't the cleanest method. At this point they are waiting to see if Ford comes out with a better fix. He believes that Ford is using all resources to clear the Firestone problem and doesn't want to do this to the door if he isn't 100% confident that it will work. He said he could be off base and it could be the fix but doesn't think so.

The good news for me is they will repaint the area but asks I wait a few months. I have no problems with that as long as it is covered. The dealer is asking this in hopes a better fix comes out. The down side is while we were looking at it he found the stress crack by the window which I have read posts about. Again I am 700 miles over warranty and the dealer won't lie on the miles. I may call around and play stupid to another dealer to see if I can get it fixed for free. I don't want to ruin the relationship with the current dealer so I don't know if I will play that game. Right now Ford is picking up 80% of the cost so I will pay $135 per door. So far it is only on the drivers door. I guess $135 isn't bad.

To answer some of the other questions the truck doesn't appear to be repainted or anything like that. I bought it used when gas was high $$$ and the owner bought a car, at least that is what the dealer states. It wasn't bought from a Ford dealer so I can't go back to them for any help.

With the TSB I tried like crazy to get it and couldn't. I called most Ford dealers and a lot didn't even know it was there. I even called Ford who was useless and stated I could buy one though and they gave me the number but I tossed it out. I didn't ask my dealer for a copy so the next time I contact them I can ask. The next funny part is the TSB is only for the F-Series. So far Ford isn't saying anything on the other vechiles.

My only other question is what else can happen to the truck? Is there any other problems I should know about. I wanted a truck that will last to 150,000 miles and still have a good body. I guess we will see what happens. At this point to trade it in I would lose some serious $$. Have a great day. Sorry this was long.

Brian

 

well it wouldent be ford without rust i have a 1968 chevelle ss all orginal (i.e no rust,bondo) pretty much a daily driver chevy like a rock hehe just picking i like anything with a V8 but i had some problems with my ford the tranny was slipping and i lost reverse and the dealer didnt want to replace it because of the b&m shift kit untill i told him "the truck is not going to leave this parking lot till its fixed period" after alot of arguing around he finally saw it my way, you pay that kind of $$$$$ for something it should be perfect, and i had less than a month on the warrantee but i learned something shop somewhere else but if i was you i wouldent bother the dealer call ford motor co. i figure dealars are paid to give you a hard time.

1995 F-150 new E4OD with B&M SHIFTPLUS
1968 Chevelle SS well worn muncie 4spd

 

I live in norfolk and can see the plant from my house. It has always been one of the greatest plants ever. Just thought i would add this...