2005 Mercury is already rusted!

[Motorhead350]

My GFs 2005 Mercury Mountaineer has a ton of rust on the roof that I just noticed today. Took it to a body shop and they said it could be Fords problem for paint defects.

Looking at the rust it's like that because of the design of the roof. The roof isn't flat because of the luggage rack, it has creases. So when it rains or snows the water get's stuck and that's what caused the rust a lot of paint to simply fall off.

Does anyone know if this is a defect or was this just a poor design and I am on my own?

[J-MAN]

The next time you're buying a vehicle take along a ladder to inspect the roof!
I've noticed this a lot on vehicles left outside. When it snows, there is snow on the roof. When it rains, the roof is wet.

[Motorhead350]

I know. We both feel like total idiots. The repair isn't bad. I recall some of our cars had paint issues, wasn't sure if this was on the list. Even if it was, I would think it's too late to make a claim on a 2005 anything.

[a_d_a_m]

Yeah, Ford won't do anything now that it's 7 years old (assuming it was built in '04 for the '05 model year). If it was a safety issue, they might. Case in point, my co-worker's '90something Windstar just got bought back by Ford.

[Motorhead350]

Does anyone know what the warranty is on rust though? Isn't it 6 years 100K? The truck is six MODEL years old with 70K. Not sure on this yet, but looks doubtful.

[a_d_a_m]

Warranty dates are effective the day the vehicle is sold, not from the model year.

[Motorhead350]

Sold to the dealer? We bought it used from a dealer. How can we find out for sure the FIRST time it was sold? Can I go to any Lincoln/Mercury dealer?

[a_d_a_m]

Sold to the dealer? No. Sold for the first time from the dealer to the 1st owner.

[Motorhead350]

How would I find that out? Can any Ford dealer find this out or do I have to play detective some more?

[a_d_a_m]

I think a CARFAX report has the date of the original sale.

You may want to check the corrosion warranty coverage. You may be over on mileage.

[Motorhead350]

http://www.automobilemag.com/am/2005/mercury/mountaineer/warranty.html

Well that says it all.

5 years. UNLESS there is the outside chance it was sitting on a lot for two years.

[SpartaPerformance]

I can tell you it's not a deffect, we see tons of that gen explorer here in the shop and have not seen any issues with paint...other things yes..... paint/rust no. I've never seen any TSB's or FSA's or SSM's from OASIS either.

[Motorhead350]

Cool. The repair is around $700. Not bad at all if you ask me. Repainting the whole truck is $2,500 at a south side shop. Not my call.