I took my car to a local dealer for them to check up on some clicking noise that I would hear coming from the back of the car. I even took one of the workers on a short drive so that they can hear the clicking noise.

My car was with the dealer for 2 days. When I picked it up, the service writer told me that after lubing and retightening my bolts and the real axle, everything else is fine and that the faint clicking noise from the back is due to shocks that are adjusting themselves. I was also asked if I drive my car often, because they found some rust underneath my car . This was a surprise to me b/c I drive my car every day and live in sunny southern cali. He said that everything was lubed up and I was good to go.

Today I was washing my car and decided to check if I can see any rust. To my surprise, this is what I found (see pictures below). Before everybody screams to take my car to the dealer, my question is to those who know cars: is this normal? Should I take it back to the dealer and ask to change the parts? What is the adverse affect of not doing anything? and lastly, how the hell did I get this (living in southern cali when it rains 5 days a year and my car never seen snow). Also to note, I bought the car brand new with 10 miles on it.

Please HELP!! Much appreciation.

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Saw the same thing on my 08 and I think it is normal rust on non stainless items. Haven't checked the 09 x yet.

 

It's normal, I have the same rusted out spot on my car, But to me it shouldn't get rusted so early in ownership, Don't sweat it we all have warranty lol.

Pictures of other cars..

 

Why would it rust so quickly? especially in the worm climate like southern cali? I can understand if we had snow. But if you're saying that it is normal, I feel a little bit safer
Still, a little bit surprised for a car that is less than 11,000 miles.

 

That normal don't freak out , the 5 days that you have rain is cool, but if you take it thru automatic car wash that would get some water underneath . its not going to weaken anything there, but if you don't really like that seen then buy some rubber under coating and get in there and spray it. only on the cross member not on the axles.

 

If you are close to the ocean or get a lot of wind coming from the ocean this expedites the oxidation as well since the salt from the water gets to your car. Thats a big issue here in HI as well. I just noticed today when I was washing my car that there is a little nick on my hood and it looks like it is starting to rust Any ideas on what I should do about it?

 

Stanislav, this is perfectly normal. There are parts of a car that have no chemical conversion coating or paint of any kind. The corrosion, rust, oxidation that forms on unprotected metal is fine and actually forms a layer of protection.

 

+1 what he said I'm a tech, see this all the time.

 

the clicking noise is your wheel barrings dont b scared =] it happened to me to just take it in n get it fixed itll take about a hour or less. =]

 

I think the heat from the exhaust causes part of that also.

 

Mine's got it in the same exact spots. It's fine, completly normal.

 

Well, when I took the car in, they told me it was my "shocks adjusting"... the car still makes the same clicking noise at low speeds (less than 10 miles an hour) and actually got worse.

They also tried to fix my sunroof rattle that seems like everyone on this board has. I didn't ask them to fix it b/c I haven't heard anybody being able to get rid of it. When I got my car... of course the rattle was the same (I think they tried to lube it).

 

The rust in the exhaustis normal. I have seen that in a lot of cars in Cali with that particular Issues. Not really an issue so don't worry about it.

Paint coming off then being exposed to water it will rust any car u have to be careful and touch up that type of stuff.

 

Hood shouldn't rust since it's aluminum. It could still corrode if left exposed.

The rusting of exhaust components are normal for these kinds of parts.

The shaft housing rust appears even in most brand new cars. I think it's cast out of the same iron-alloy as those used in heavy-duty parts like brake rotors etc. and the rust is always mild. The bearings inside will probably wear out before the rust can even do anything.

 

ya some parts dont need rust protection to function correctly. no worries.