Rear hatch rust??

Took my 2019 4Runner with 19,000 miles on it to the local car wash and noticed it is developing random tiny rust spots on the rear hatch. Nothing anywhere else on the vehicle.

Has anyone else had this happen?

I'm wondering if there was something done wrong with the metal prep or primer on the hatch. We use some de-icer on the roads around here, but rust really isn't a thing around here for most vehicles.

Thinking I should take it in to the dealer for a possible warranty issue. Just weird that rust is randomly appearing on just the rear hatch.

 

You sure it just doesn't need a detail?

Looks like surface rust from what I can see. Clay bar should take care of it. Drive in industrial areas often?

 

Most likely just fallout, especially noticeable on light color vehicles. I use Sonax Fallout cleaner on my vehicles and it takes care of it. Usually need to do it a couple times a year.

https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-051320...=1614655026&sprefix=sonax+fall,aps,235&sr=8-2

 

Possible rail dust from transport or if you live near RR tracks? Try some meguiars polish to help remove, then wax it.

 

Yeah I have seen some similar fall out or contaminants on paints like that. Try some bug and tar remover and go gently. My guess is it will come out. Try a little more elbow grease if it it is not easily removed. If it comes out with that follow up with some polish and wax.

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna328

 

Iron remover. It will change color where contamination’s are... and rinse off to remove

 

Noticed more spots recently, so stopped by the dealer today. Service advisor said he is pretty sure it is a known issue and will be going up the chain for resolution. Apparently, the rear hatch shell was not properly prepped and there was some small metal particles still on the surface when paint was applied. Those little particles of bare metal rust when exposed. The more I wash and wax it, the more particles get exposed, and more little rust spots appear over time.

And no. No new Tundras on the lot and only one 4Runner. But there was a GR 86, which was sexy, for only $31k. But 228 hp and rwd around here means it will be useless 5 months of the year.

 

Iron X and be done. Don not forget to apply a sealant afterwards as it will remove anything previous you may have applied.

 

OP what does he think solution is to sand and repaint whole rear hatch or a new hatch entirely?

 

As others of said, looks like some surface contamination... Or a small chip where bare metal got exposed. Iron out should take care of it if it's sitting on the paint. If it's a chip, you can dab some iron out to clean out the rust and them fill in the chip with touchup paint.

 

It sounds like they'll be repainting you hatch. Hopefully the color matches good.

 

Nothing a "Fujiwara Tofu Shop" door decal cant fix

 

He offered no solutions; just said it will be taken care of.

I assume it will be stripped and repainted. It's white, so not too hard to match.

 

You would be completely wrong. Not a chip. Not surface contamination. It is a flaw in the factory finish caused by improper prep work and will be taken care of by Toyota.

 

Okay… just sharing my thoughts based on the pictures you provided. Which simply looks like iron surface deposits. If that’s not the case, then so be it.

Either way, I personally would still attempt a simple clay and iron decontamination spray before having them repaint the entire hatch and risk having a mismatched panel. It was just a simple suggestion.

 

Sorry if I sounded snippy in my reply; I really wasn't trying to be!

 

No worries

 

I have the same issue. 2020 with 10,300 miles. I purchased it brand new 14 months ago and it is kept clean and always garaged. I have little specks of surface rust that can be removed with a clay bar, but I also have two instances of corrosion that is raising the paint. It is clearly deep enough to have damaged the sheet metal. Very frustrating! I’m curious if anyone has had success in getting Toyota to replace with a new hatch rather than sending it to the body shop for a repaint.

2/15/22 Update
I just heard back from the warranty person at the dealership. Toyota examined the pictures and determined that it is the product of “outside influence,” which is not covered by warranty. The dealership claims that they pressed Toyota Corp in our behalf because the vehicle is so new and because of our long standing relationship, and as a result Toyota has determined to have it refinished one time only. I was hoping for a new hatch rather than merely refinishing it and hoping that it stays rust-free, but that’s clearly not going to happen. I find it hard to believe that so-called rail dust could penetrate the clear-coat, paint, primer, and cause rust in such a short time — and only on the hatch. I hope someone gets a class-action lawsuit started.

 

Hello,
I have rust bubbling up from underneath the pain on my rear hatch on my 2019 4Runner in multiple spots. I took it to the Toyota dealership to set up a warranty claim because I had a couple body shops look at it and they said it was from improper prep in the factory. The dealership did not do a dang thing. The service tech took a couple photos no one else even looked at my vehicle in person. I had to call after not hearing anything for 3 weeks and they claimed Toyota denied the claim because the rust was caused by scratches from the prior owner. They gave me the main customer service number for Toyota and told me to call them if I had an issue with their decision. I am just frustrated. Does anyone have a suggestion on a next step to get Toyota to take care of this? I felt like the dealership completely dropped the ball because they didn't want to deal with it. But it sounds like I am not the only one with this issue.

 

In the words of Lil Jon........

"BEND OVER TO THE FRONT AND TOUCH YA' TOES!!!!!!!!!"

Sorry man, until there is a class-action suit you can join, not many recourses.(There MAY be one out there, im not sure)

 

Who tucks their toes? It's touch your toes.

 

Dude that was spell check

I need to stop multi-tasking.....

 

Hahahaha I figured as much. Just flicking some shit

 

My white Tacoma had these all over. It's rail rust or surface contamination, it even appears on the plastic parts of the bumper, so it's essentially harmless and can be removed by a detailer.

 

Following this thread. 2020 ORP, and happened to find this today. Both sides of the trunk release. Calling dealer tomorrow.

 

Sorry to see that Blorenz. Can you take a pic a little more zoomed out? Keep us posted what dealer says that is bologna

 

I'd like a pic zoomed out too so I can keep an eye on it and prevent it.

 

And why does your 2020 rear latch handle have paint peeling off of it? What's going on with that?

 

My dealership was going to get all this warranted through Toyota at 2.5 years old. Additionally I was going to get a free rental car. They were also going to fix the lip above my windshield which was bubbling terribly. I worked with a regional warranty specialist directly along with the dealership. The specialist asked permission to take the photos and info on my truck to people higher up then him (even though everything was approved by him). Previous they repaired all four door sills because of rust and bubbling paint. I balked however when Toyota said they needed to lift the body off the frame to properly fix the paint…nope, nope, and nope. I was going to lemon law it but the dealership worked out amazing numbers on the 4Runner and my current Tundra. Frustrating but honestly painless.