[Bruceking07]

Hello, does anyone have rust in their rear quarter panel above the wheel?

Is this also something common? My car is currently at the dealer’s certified shop to be fixed under the corrosion warranty. They are going to replace the entire rear quarter panel but Im kinda worry because it requires so much cutting and removing. There is no other way to get the rust out right?

[clemsonf31]

Are you in the rust belt? Can’t see your location on my phone. How many miles? How many owners?
If you’re a rust belt or salt-ridden state native (I am) you should be familiar with such repairs taking extensive work to fix correctly. Especially if car was never washed during winter. If they’re replacing the entire quarter my guess is they found more than what your picture shows

Max

[Mooney6959]

You're in New York.
Isn't rust expected on cars up there?

[freakystyly]

The warranty is for perforations but don't tell the dealership that if they are doing this work for free.

Also 7 yrs is a bit early for that kind of rust on the bodywork.

[Billfitz]

You're in New York.
Isn't rust expected on cars up there?

Not in only seven years, especially in NYC, which doesn't get nearly as much snow as outside the city.

[HighlandPete]

Is it really that bad? Is it surface damage, leading to rusting?

That sort of rusting (as I see it from the photo) can be made worse by wider tires/spacers, throwing road grit at the bodywork.

[Billfitz]

New England salt and sand on the roads in winter is why I had mudflaps ordered and in hand before I took delivery of my car. If my tires extended enough to throw salt and sand on the paint I'd have it covered with paint protection film.

[toxik]

This is abnormal, if you bought the car used, I wonder if that panel was repaired and repainted in the past. I'd be curious to do a paint meter gauge on it.

[Wires]

I live in a world that uses salt in the winter, and never seen that on my BMW's. My GMC pickup was another story, and typically it's not "surface", it's rusting from the inside out.

[Bruceking07]

toxik clemsonf31 I brought the car new and I only have 72k miles on it =/

HighlandPete Tires are not wide or have spacers installed.

Judging by the rust and the location on the car, sanding and removing the rust will only fix it temporarily?

[Billfitz]

Sanding, filling and painting will fix it if the reason why it rusted is the paint was chipped, exposing the metal below. It won't fix it if the rust started on the inside of the fender and now has made it's way to the outside. When that happens the first sign is bubbling of the paint.

[Tommy D]

A few time I've experienced body shops and dealers saying they are going to replace body panels, only to get the car back and noticed they only did a local repair, but sent a bill off to the insurance company for a full panel.
So OP, I am doubting that they are going to replace the whole Quarter panel, only telling you this to make you feel better, but just fix the rust. Just a hunch.

[Wires]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Sanding, filling and painting will fix it if the reason why it rusted is the paint was chipped, exposing the metal below. It won't fix it if the rust started on the inside of the fender and now has made it's way to the outside. When that happens the first sign is bubbling of the paint.

This, 1000%. My pickup had a quarter sized paint piece fell off the rear fender. I primed, painted, clear coated in a couple weeks rust was bumbling through the paint.

Repeated, same deal. Pulled the taillights out and you could see the inner fender had more than just surface rust. After further inspection, that quarter sized spot had a little pin hole where it was coming from the inside out.

I coated it in rust neutralizer, and every other thing, but the only "real" fix would have been to cut the piece out, weld a new one, etc. Or trade it.