2018 Tacoma Off Road. Rusted Hood

I have a 2018 Tacoma had it since it was new. I keep is washed and waxed. I found rust starting on both sides of the hood over the headlights on the inside. has anyone else had this problem? It’s going back to the dealer next week .I’ll keep you posted.

 

Where are you located?

Not a justification, but salt and sea air could very well contribute to this.

 

That's not good Sorry your having theses issues

 

gotta protect that investment. rust never sleeps. Ski

 

Wow that is bad for such a new vehicle. I live up in the rust belt in WI and would not expect to see that for 8-10 years or more.

 

That should be covered for 60 months. That's rust through.

 

Need more pics but that doesn’t look like a 18 Tacoma hood to me??

 

First time i've seen this on a hood. I've it many times on vehicles with boats when putting them in the salt water, or taking them out without later hosing them down real good. All the rear quarter panels, and wheel wells start turning to rust.

 

Wow. Impressive. You must be in the buckle of the rust belt!

 

I live in Upstate NY. But I wash the truck often during the winter

 

Normally I scoff at these rust threads displaying minor surface rust on unpainted parts, but your pics don’t look normal. Rust belt or not, your painted parts shouldn’t rust that bad in such a short time IMHO. I’m guessing there was either rust on the metal when it was painted, the paint failed, or there was damage done to the paint. Bare metal rusts. Painted metal does not.

 

my 95 has seen salt and sea air for 27 years and doesn't look like that. no excuses on toyotas behalf on this one

 

Thanks for responding
I had an 08 4Runner in 14 years no rust was never garaged 167,000 miles and in better shape. To everyone that blame it on the rust belt. Maybe a Toyota shouldn’t sell them up north if they can’t take the environment..

 

Agreed.

But, if OP lived on a barrier reef or something and the truck was caked with salt 24/7/365, that might help explain the rust.

Either way shouldn’t happen.

 

I haven’t tried, but I’m guessing you could put a pound of salt on a quality painted hood, leave it parked in a humidified garage for 2 years, and it wouldn’t rust.

I owned a new 2001 Subaru until 2016 in the rust belt. I never sprayed lubricant all over it and rarely washed it. The only serious rust was the roof rack and under the windshield seal which I blame on a botched windshield replacement.

Bare steel rusts. Painted steel does not.

 

Sounds like a cool science project.

 

It's a 3rd gen Tacoma hood.


My hood



OP's hood

 

That is abnormal. Even in the core of the rust belt, it usually is picks up first in the wheel wells, rockers, and quarter panels.

Did you buy the truck used?

Has it ever been in a minor collision or had body work done in that area?

I've only seen cancerous rust like that, that high, on a vehicle that young in two situations:

- Minor collision with body work done, panels R&I'd, and some paint missed in process.
- Exposure to corrosive chemicals or solvents.


What does the rest of the truck look like, or inside the engine bay? Something is up.

 

atleast a hood is easy to replace

 

You should read the truck info on the left side pane..