My username says it all. 2005 RAV4 paint issue

[05RAV4PaintSux]

I have searched a bit about this and I found more about actual "trucks" than sedans in SUV's clothing (RAV4s). This is my girlfriend's car and we've had it since December 2004. The car now has 15,000 miles. We both commute into the neighboring state, which is a big part of the reason we got a Toyota.

Paint chips are expected with heavy highway driving, especially in eastern Pennsylvania, but rust? From what I could see, there is no rust in any of the chips on the hood, mostly just on that little tin grille trim piece. However, there is one chip at the front of the fender with rust.

A factory representative just looked at it and claimed that it's damage, not a warranty issue, blah blah blah, if we built it this cheap, why would take corrective actions... etc, etc. My concern is not with the chips, but the rust. I drive a 99 Audi A4, 139k miles, it's got more chips than a Superbowl party and the car has yet to form a grain of rust. I also have a 1994 Pontiac Firebird which has seen its share of winters with over 100k on the clock. Several paint chips, but again, no sign of rust.

If we bought a 1985 Toyota, I'd expect this. To see any rust on ANY new car, regardless of manufacturer or conditions, has blown me away. Has anybody else dealt with a similar problem? I simply can't believe that this is expected of Toyota with paint chips. I didn't get to speak to the factory rep, yet, but the note on the work order said "stone chips are considered collision damage...". Ok, so Toyota builds their cars with what conditions in mind? Florida, California, Arizona? Who would drive an AWD vehicle in the snow? This is the kind of crap I've learned to expect from Audi, but Toyota?

[toto]

Any metal, when exposed to moisture, will start to rust. (I guess stainless is an exception.) Winter climates are worse because salt likes to stick to cars, and it also absorbs moisture, thus holding it against the finish.

So, I think the depth of the chip has something to do with how fast it will rust. I used to drive 110 miles a day to work round-trip, so I got lots of chips. Driving a Mitsubishi Montero and then a Lexus RX300 (an expensive Toyota product), only a few chips rusted. There are a few layers of paint products (clear coat, paint, primer), so bare metal doesn't always get exposed immediately.

I don't think it's the manufacturer or how much the car costs. It's simple chemistry. Just keep the car clean so moisture doesn't have anything to stick to, and touch-up as soon as possible. If the spot is really small, it's not necessary to make a big deal of removing the rust before touch-up painting. Stop the moisture from getting in, and the rust will stop.

[05RAV4PaintSux]

Manufacturing is the only difference I'm seeing. A GM and Audi hold up fine, but a Toyota doesn't. Their paint procedure is obviously lacking in quality. I can't believe it's a simple coincidence. 6 years of driving the Audi with no rust while 6 months of driving the Toyota gives over a dozen rust spots. I've read the manual about corrosion prevention, but again, where do they think people drive these cars? I'm supposed to hose down the undercarriage once a month? Where I live, I'm lucky if it gets over freezing for more than 4 hours at a time during the winter months. I've driven my Audi all winter long without washing, caked with salt, and not a single rust spot. Needless to say, this most certainly affects any future decisions to buy another Toyota.

[roach182]

The only complaint I have ever had with a Toyota is with how fast they rust. It's not the paint it's the material (Grade and origin of the steel) that is used in it's construction. I worked for several years in a machine shop. Along the way we picked up a contract for a product. The company supplied there own steel they got a bargin on it from China. Supposidly it was as good as what we were already using Domesticaly. NOT A FREAKING CHANCE! Total junk it rusted 10 times faster and could not handle nearly what the same grade of domestic steel could. The moral of my story? If you want a rust free peice of crap that breakes down all the time buy domestic. If you want a car that will run forever (with few problems) but has a rusty death, buy japaneese. You want both? buy german.

[05RAV4PaintSux]

The German part is debatable. My Audi has been a maintenance nightmare. I could own 2 for what I've paid in maintenance and stupid random problems. I guess it's a matter of sacrifices. Funny you mention bargains from China. DuPont got cheap on one of their paint ingredients, that they bought from a Chinese company, and my Audi's hood had to be repainted with another brand (REALLY severe chipping). The reason it got DuPont in the first place was from an accident. As for the RAV4, I'll clean it up as best as I can and get a clear bra if I get nowhere with Toyota, which I believe will happen.

[Ruffrydasean]

sorry to hear about your problem.. but did you really think out your username... how long do you plan to be here??

[05RAV4PaintSux]

Not very long. I haven't expected many problems, since it's a Toyota and being that it's a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder, there won't be any modifications.