RUST on 2003 Chrysler Voyager

[albertolopez]

Has anyone experienced rust in a fairly new Chrysler 2003 Voyager? My van is showing rust at the inside bottom of the tail gate (where the metal folds). Some rust also appeared below the paint at the front left fender.
What is most surprising is that I own a 1993 Plymouth Voyager with absolutelly no rust. Both vehicles have been parking and have been driven in the same places since we bought the 2003 van. So, any reasoning that living in a given place that may expedite rusting goes out the window.
Does anyone have experience dealing with Chrysler and their rust warranty?

Thanks,

AL

[tazman]

Is it possible that there was a stone chip or key scrap in the listed areas that might have caused the rust? And are you sure this is a Voyager? Chrysler stopped making that model 3 yrs. ago. If the rust has caused a hole in the metal than the dealership will repair it. If this van is less then a year old it should have a bumper-to-bumper warranty on it.

Originally Posted by albertolopez

Has anyone experienced rust in a fairly new Chrysler 2003 Voyager? My van is showing rust at the inside bottom of the tail gate (where the metal folds). Some rust also appeared below the paint at the front left fender.
What is most surprising is that I own a 1993 Plymouth Voyager with absolutelly no rust. Both vehicles have been parking and have been driven in the same places since we bought the 2003 van. So, any reasoning that living in a given place that may expedite rusting goes out the window.
Does anyone have experience dealing with Chrysler and their rust warranty?

Thanks,

AL

[albertolopez]

Dear Tazman,
I realize that the rust in a one year old vehicle sounds suspicious. I am as surprised and disappointed as can be.
The chip idea sound possible for the outside rust only. The tailgate's rust goes all along the bottom edge in the inside. So no stone could have done it.
Yes, my old Voyager is a Plymouth. Those disappeared a couple of years ago. My new Voyager is a Chrysler. I could not say that these are available in every state. I bout it in Detroit.
I would like to post the question again: has anyone experienced rusting in a new vehicle from Chrysler or is my problem unique?
Thanks

AL

[DPMP]

Yes, your problem is rather unique especially for an 03. Could the van ended up in a pile of Michigan road salt before you owned it?

All Chrysler van should have 36/36K mile warranty bumper to bumper, and perhaps 100,000 mile warranty on the paint, if I'm correct. I'd say you should check your owner's warranty book and go to Chrysler for corrective action. You better do it (and have it documented) before the warranty expires, then if it continues to rust beyond the warranty period, at least you have some basis for more corrective actions at their own expenses.

[js216]

Originally Posted by albertolopez

Has anyone experienced rust in a fairly new Chrysler 2003 Voyager? My van is showing rust at the inside bottom of the tail gate (where the metal folds). Some rust also appeared below the paint at the front left fender.
What is most surprising is that I own a 1993 Plymouth Voyager with absolutelly no rust. Both vehicles have been parking and have been driven in the same places since we bought the 2003 van. So, any reasoning that living in a given place that may expedite rusting goes out the window.
Does anyone have experience dealing with Chrysler and their rust warranty?

Thanks,

AL

My 1999 Grand Caravan is displaying rust in three different areas. I have contacted Chrysler and they fed me th ol' bone. My warranty on the corrosion expired in January (5 years) and they refuse to do anything. I have filed two complaints - 1 in January when my warranty was only one week out and last week. I have also filed and arbtration with the bbb and it was rejected (due to the warranty expiration). I am searching the internet for other owners that have this issue since I with be contacting Chrysler concerning a lawsuit on this matter. I found it totally ridiculuous that this van has the type of rust on it after five years. I have corrosion/hole in the left shock tower, corrosion in the rock weld below the driver side sliding door (near the jack pad), and rust on my driver side rear wheel well. That last was the final straw because it is reminds me of my 1968 Mustang rust bucket, but this van is only five freakin' years old. This is my wifes van and it was purchased new and has been garage kept (climate controlled). I live near Cincinnati and snow (i.e., road salt) in basically a non issue. The car is clean and washed of all grime religiously and NO - this was not caused via a stone chip. The rust is coming from the welded joints, inside to out. Needless to say I will not purchase another Chrysler product - not due to this issue along, but I have own Chrysler since 1978 and I am starting to tire of the corporations lack of support on obvious manufacturing defects. BTW - you notice that all of the rust is on my driver side, front to back. No indication of rust on the passenger side at all. Come to think of it my 1978 Dodge Monaco Brougham was notorious as a rust bucket and mine never rusting in the 10 years that I owned in. If anybody has any suggestions on how to have Chrysler fix this problem, I would love to hear it. "They" refused to even send someone out to the dealership to look/document it. Great customer service to someone who has owned 10 different Chrysler vehicles over the years.

[albertolopez]

I ended up going to the dealer and exercising my warranty rights. The dealer first suggested that the rust may be grinded and repainted (assuming perhaps that it was the effect of an outside agent like road salt). After going into the shop, they discovered that the rust resided behind the paint and that, regardless of how much they grinded, rust would continue to appear. So they replaced the parts. I am sorry for anyone who would have discovered this type of thing after his or her warranty has expired. Specially considering that the cause of the problem resided in the vehicle prior to the expiration date. When all my warranty rights expire, I hope not to find any further internal rust damage. Otherwise, I too may be out of luck.

[DPMP]

I am sure the dealer can suggest anything they want, but they don't know the history of it any better than what they can speculate to get out of it; it's their job to minimize the cost, and the work. Just don't give in to their speculations. Good thing they replaced the parts for you.

Sounds like some parts in your van might not have had a rust treatment, or a panel was not galvanized steel, or even a wrong kind of screw was used (dissimilar metals can do that kind of damage).

Manufacturing and production always have their flaws. Sometimes a certain technicians would "forget" to follow certain task while the others would not. Then, other time, the other way around happens. Put that scenario into a 5,000-worker environment that work around the clock, you can imagine the nightmarish products they produce in the end. If quality control is not enforced, or overlooked, especially when there is the lack of it, these things get past inspections and the consumers end up with the lemon. I myself have seen too many instances of such attitude.

It all boils down to the dedication to the job, attention to details, and quality conscious. A "cheap way out" will eventually drive the consumers to imports. And these car makers will have no one to blame but themselves.

[albertolopez]

The sad thing is that I feel the problem lies on the lack of pride unions promote. Many undeserving individuals get jobs thanks to status instead of merit. This taints the reputation of those who helped build this country. Having lived in Detroit, I have had the unfortunate opportunity of hearing first hand stories of impunity and prepotence. Very sad.