Undercarriage Rust on used Tacoma

Hey everyone, first time Tacoma owner here. Last week I bought a used 2021 SR5 Tacoma from a Toyota dealership here in Southern California and I might’ve made a mistake. It was a previously leased vehicle (from Pennsylvania) that was certified pre-owned with only 11k miles. It drove great and had no other issues, so I thought I was getting a sweet deal.

A couple days ago I crawled under the truck and noticed rust on the frame, wheel wells, and other metal components, so I took it to a local shop to inspect the entire undercarriage. I was honestly shocked at the amount of rust that was there. I currently live in San Diego and have never lived up north, so I’m very ignorant to rust belt vehicles and the damage salt can do. I called the dealership and was basically told there was nothing I can do and the CPO process ensured that the rust wasn’t interfering with the structural integrity of the frame or any other components.

Definitely a learned lesson, but does anyone have any experience with rust in California and how much of an issue will it be here in San Diego? Also is there anything I can do to stop the corrosion from continuing or at least slow it down? Its my daily driver now and I plan on using it for many beach days and camping trips. I was hoping to keep it for a long time but idk anymore. I’m gonna attach some pictures, any advice is appreciated

 

Clean truck. Lucky man

 

the small spots on the frame I would clean, coroseal, and paint. The rest is normal

 

For being in PA for three years that isn't bad at all. All that frame surface rust hit with a wire wheel and spray it with some paint.

 

Most of that looks like surface rust. It's not an issue. If I were you, I'd get under it, take a wire brush and get to scrubbing the big spots and anything you don't like. After that, a little paint and then spray Cosmoline RP-342 (or any rust inhibitor of your choice once the paint dries, although I recommend cosmoline) anywhere you see metal and inside the frame. The exhaust rust I wouldn't even worry about. Your truck is fine. A couple hours of TLC and you'll feel better

 

For reference, here is what a bad frame looks like. Poor kid got stuck with this recently.



As others have said, yours isn't bad at all.

 

Toyota had frame inspections on earlier Gen 3's-unsure if '21 had that recall. Check VIN to see if there are any outstanding recalls on the truck.

 

A recall because of the minor surface rust depicted in the pictures? Are you serious? See actual rust issue in @YF_Ryan post

 

That is surface rust. Too bad it somehow made it to rust free California.

 

they ran a campaign to add protection

I think by 21 they were doing it from the factory

 

These trucks rust - unfortunately. That one is surface rust only and appears to be in great shape (I am from NH though). I'm not a fan of painting as I think that can actually promote rust underneath but do that if you want. I would get a few cans of Fluid Film and spray all the rust you see. I would also spray in the door drain holes with the little straw the can comes with (load it up) and remove the door sill plates (all 4 doors - its not hard) and clean and spray under those. Do this every once in a while although you may not need to where you live. Do the same to the spare tire drop mechanism. Don't forget to spray and work the gas door hinge. And some people don't like to do this but I've done it for years with no problems - apply antiseize to the lug nuts and around the back of the wheels where they contact the brake drums in the rear and rotors in the front.

 

that is showroom condition in some parts of this great Nation

 

Gotta spread that cancer around doncha know.

 

In addition what's already been said addressing the frame spots I'd spray some rust converter on the rusted areas of the heavy mechanical pieces like the back axle,driveshaft flanges etc. You can do coat those pieces in whatever after that or nothing and leave them the black oxide color of the rust converter, it will stop or slow way down the rusting of those pieces. Any hardware in those areas is rusting along with the stuff I mentioned and it's already deteriorating which can lead to them becoming become frozen and a PITA down the road.

 

Name of the So. Cal. Dealership? That qualifies as "Certified Pre-Owned"?

 

Hit it with some Fluid Film as needed.

 

Yeah. Cause that's not an issue whatsoever.

 

Fluid film. After the rainy season next year repeat where needed. Sadly normal in the land of salt on the road.

 

Some people from other states say this is normal , but opinion rust equals metal cancer. Mine is spotless ,looks brand new, this is unacceptable that the dealer wouldn't even bother doing anything about it.
Im in California so thats not the norm for me.Anyways my aunt asked me to go with her to shop around for cars in 2020. She was looking for a Prius, so we found one she was ready to buy it . Before we went to do the paperwork I said let me look under the hood.SURPRISE Mothafuga! It was full of rust and the flaky kind. I looked at the salesman and said really?, he said he wasnt aware , all he knew that it came from Michigan.

 

they rust if your in the rust belt , mine is spotless and hasnt been treated