Hello all,
Just picked up a 2009 H3/manual with the adventure package and have been loving it. Although today my neighbor came over to take a look and being the new owner I was more than happy to show him around. Curious to see the underpinnings he stuck his head under the vehicle and to my dismay said, “Hey look at this, you already have rust on the frame”. I looked down and notice several areas, especially around what appear to be welds, where rust was just getting started. Now I am happy to admit that I don’t know the first thing about frames and rust but one would think that a brand new vehicle would not already have rust on the frame. The first thing that came to my mind is if it is already starting what is it going to be like in 5 years?
Any suggestions or comments would be much appreciated and thanks to all in advance for creating a great forum with lots of good info!
jts

 

I have an 08 and noticed the same thing...

 

Very common unless you get an underbody rust protection. This is common on all cars/ trucks. Nothing to worry about unless you see the weld areas flaking with rust etc. I was told at the dealer that you can have a rust/ corrosion protection sprayed on, but its not cheap.

 

Sounds like your neighbor was just trying to point out flaws. I agree that all vehicles that are on the roads will have some sort of rust effect on the undercarriage. If it has been driven on a wet road it definitely will. You purchased a great vehicle and you will love it.

 

Ive got an 05 H2 with 34k miles, plenty of rust on the under carriage.

The brake and gas pedal levers are also rusted...anyone have this problem?

 

2006, rust on leaf springs, rear differential, rear shock mounts, side frame Ibeams. Normal. Take a wire brush, do some scrapping, get some flat black rattle can paint and paint everything. Looks better than new! Repeat every year. Also my muffler is getting rust. Have not painted it yet, but going to try the high temp grill piaint.

 

You're neighbour is probably just jelous man. you dont notice it on other cars because they all the parts are covered in germ and grime and sludge from all driving and ****, no one washes underneath their car to reveal what the naked frame is like.

dont worry

 

We've got an '06 with about 74k miles and this year I've noticed a little rust on the leaf springs and various bolts here and there for the first time. Nothing structural or on the frame itself yet, just cosmetic. Pretty impressive IMHO, it looks so good I'm actually going to touch things up a bit before Winter.

Talk to your dealer about the rust, if you just bought the truck they will likely touch it up for you.