Rust above windshield on '21 Tacoma

I'm getting ready for a road trip and was putting some rainX on the windshield, and noticed this. 4 years old and 52,000 miles? This looks like it could be catastrophic. Even all the beaters I've had in my life, never have I experienced this. otherwise, the truck is exceptional concerning rust. Never would I have expected such a thing.

 

Was the windshield ever a replacement?
Maybe scraped paint with removal tool leaving bare metal in a spot where water accumulates under the seal... ??

 

Have you ever had the windshield replaced?
Edit: Beat me to it!
Could also be from precise rock chips? I caught one that left a dent above the windshield that was the size of a golf ball and destroyed the edge of the glass. Could have been brutal for rust if I hadn’t noticed or didn’t take care of it right away

 

No windshield replacement yet. I would bet rock chips as I see a couple of other, smaller spots on the edge and back a little bit. I'm surprised I didn't notice this and I have no idea how long it's been there. It's been a busy year for me and haven't done a hand wash, only drive through.

Found another related post and it seems like it's going to be a heavier repair than I can afford. Think I got 6 months or so to save up some cash?

 

Body shop probably going to spray the whole roof and down the A-pillars and back side in order to blend properly.

Unless you decide to go with the matte black paint on just the roof (after prep and rust conversion) that some people like...

 

I'd go with black on the roof. I obviously don't look at the roof anyway, and I was hoping to keep it as long as I can. Does it look like I'm on the verge of leaking? That's my real concern.

Such a drag; for $4000 I could do some cool things other than rust mitigation.

 

I had this on my 17 and took it to the dealer. They paid to have the body work done to fix it, might be worth a try.

 

Where are you located, NE US or Canada? Sorry to see this!

Have you looked for rust elsewhere?… frame and underbody components…

 

I've been keeping an eye on that strip directly above the windshield for this kind of damage. With it being so flush, that corner is a pime spot for rock chips to start the cancer. Been considering plasti-dipping a 2" strip across there just to protect that area from stuff boucing off the hood/windshield.

 

You would want to be sure to get to bare metal in and around the blisters and treat with rust converter, prime and paint or use a paint over rust-type paint product.

If applying Plasti-dip on that... clean to bare metal as best as you can, rust converter then prime before applying plasti-dip.

Caution: If rust is not removed and neutralized with a converter, rust can continue to spread under the plasti-dip coating. Could look fine for some time. Then, before you know it... You can poke a finger through it. It is great ad covering and hiding which is also great for trapping rust and moisture that bubbles and spreads behind the plastic coating.

 

I live in Michigan. I was underneath today as I had to bring the spare down to check the pressure. Underbody seems reasonable for where I live. I did a once over everywhere else on the body and looks good. I'm really surprised and disappointed with the windshield area. Never imagined something like this at barely 4 years old.

 

well, if you get the whole roof redone you may as well put a Helipad symbol on it, just because..

 

That stinks. I’d try the dealer first… isn’t there a 6 year rust thru warranty? If they deny it, may be worth removing the paint in that area, applying a good rust remover/stabilizer, and then painting with some touch up paint or color matched spray. Would be far less $$ and not a really visible location.

 

From what I read, it's perforation from the inside out. God I hope that isn't rusted through.

I don't have the skill, equipment nor time to remediate that myself. Wouldn't the windshield need to come out as well?

 

It would've never crossed my mind to keep an eye on any area on a 4 year old vehicle.

 

....agree, to try and counter the vulnerability for more and deeper rusting, and buy time until you have the money to have it done right.
...and agree with 'after the dealer first'....

 

with big tires and people taking their mudflaps off, all kind of shit gets thrown back, in addition to the stuff that just does anyway, and that leading edge is a vulnerable spot, similar to the leading edge of the hood. ...that being said, that looks like more than just from any chipping that may have occurred, and it spreading from there, so I would not be meek when approaching the dealer on that on a 4 year old truck.

 

Could be improper seal allowing water in and trapping it underneath.

Issue could just yours. Could be something in that particular production run. Others seeing this problem?

 

When you say not meek, how would you go about it? I see a couple cases of this as I'm browsing the internet, and it seems to come back to owner negligence.

On another note, I was at the dealer for a tire rotation earlier this year and they found a problem with the lug studs and wouldn't let me leave because the wheel was about to come off. They fixed it under warranty with a new bearing assembly. Warranty is now expired though.

What would be a good counter if I end responsible for this and need to get through a winter before I can afford to fix it? I'm not skilled in this kind of thing.

 

How long ago?