Rust on Rear Hatch

[rupert08]

I just noticed about a dozen rust specks randomly located on the rear hatch of my 08 Highlander. Some are getting pretty noticable and starting to bubble-up. There is also larger sections of rust where the rear window covers up the hatch. Anybody have a similar problem?

[fj62]

How much driving is done on salt covered winter roads. My 09 is fine but I keep it garaged when road salt is used. My 21 year old Land Cruiser rusted apart. I'll be watching your post with interest. Have you taken your car to the dealer?

[Dman1]

Originally Posted by rupert08

I just noticed about a dozen rust specks randomly located on the rear hatch of my 08 Highlander. Some are getting pretty noticable and starting to bubble-up. There is also larger sections of rust where the rear window covers up the hatch. Anybody have a similar problem?

I have one (that I am aware of). It started as a 'nick' in the paint, and now it is bubbling a bit. When I brought it to the dealer, they said that it would be covered under the corrosion protection warranty. They said that they could do it at that time, but recommended that, if it didn't bother me that much, to wait until I was closer to the end of my warranty (3 years or 60,000 km), since any repainting that would be done would not be as good as the factory paint. It's good to know that, due to a manufacturer's defect, that the paint will not last as long as it otherwise should have. Well, I have 13,000 km left on my warranty, so I will likely get this taken care of at the end of the summer.

If your vehicle is still under warranty, I would suggest going to your dealer and asking them if this would be covered. Good luck.

[rupert08]

I live in Chicago so I do drive on salted roads on occation. Not too often when it snows because the stock tires suck in the snow and it stays in the garage. It was also waxed annually.

I doubt the salted roads in the problem because it only appears on the the rear hatch and not the rest of the car. It's also in very random locations and it appears the rust originates underneath the paint verses a damaged or knicked spot. I have never seen this problem on my other cars which have seen more salt.

I still have a 2 months left on my 3 year warrenty and it has less than 30K miles. I will certinally take it to the dealer soon.

[rupert08]

I have taken the car to 2 dealers now. The first dealer closest to my home looked at it and agreed it was a problem but was unwilling to do anything about it because they claim it had been repainted. I owed it since new and knew that it had never been repainted so I was very suspect of their findings. Then I took it to the dealer I purchased it from and had a much difference experience. They confirmed that it was the factory finish, took some pictures and agreed to submit a claim to Toyota. Now I know not to trust the first dealer and await the claim results from the second dealer.

Everyone agrees that some particles were trapped beneath the paint which is causing the rust and blistering. It is not caused by chips to the surface or damage.

[becks]

Rupert, it sounds like you are on the way to having this resolved..
I am glad that it is paint a application issue and not something more serious. Every week I would check the back of my HL..dreading what I might find. So far all is good. Keeps us posted on the final determination.

[Picante24]

I live just north of Toronto and had the same problem with rust specks on my back hatch. I took my 08 Highlander to the Toyota dealer I purchased it from and they repainted it with no problems. This was done last year while my 3 year (60,000 km) comphrensive warranty was still valid.