azfj60

Did it hitch a ride on Hyundai's transport ship???

AxisLexus

Well now that explains it.

T4Fun

take it back and demand a new one. we had bot a suburu with same issue and dealer took back and ordered a new one. or u can have them replace all parts, then undercoat the whole thing with fluid film.

M4rk

I feel your disappointment.

My GX was a demo that was used all winter in the salt central of the western world and with zero protection/undercoating. It looks about the same as yours after ~3000km in those conditions, minus the odd aluminium corrosion. Based on that alone, it looks to me like prolonged exposure to very humid and salty air. With COVID delays, it probably sat somewhere near the ocean much longer than usual. I would agree it's not acceptable for a brand new truck.

I would try to negotiate for an extension of the comprehensive warranty, service-related freebies, or at the very least have them cover an undercoating treatment of your choice. I don't think they will replace anything, it's all surface rust. I would also personally defer to undercoat the truck myself due to QC concerns with the labor expectations I have of most workers in the automotive field.

AxisLexus

Thanks for the advice. I will report back what the dealership says. I have contacted Lexus corporate already. They said they would intervene if the dealership refused to do something.

AxisLexus

Even if the GX spent some storage time near saltwater, seems like the degree of corrosion is beyond what I would expect.

MrTorgue

Almost like the salt water got in to the container itself.

BigSvensk

Yeah that is more than I would expect... and more than my 2018 with 45k miles has even now (recently purchased Florida car).

nuclearn8

That's not warrantable. It is surface rust on mostly uncoated/protected portions of the undercarriage which are expected to rust. (No dealer will warranty that, nor will Lexus.)
That is normal, even for a brand new vehicle sitting on the lot in the Northeast... throw some fluid film on the undercarriage and be done with it.

AxisLexus

@nuclearn8 Yes, after having a local Lexus dealer inspect it this am, they are of the same opinion - not a warrantable issue. Since I am a DIY'er, I will address the rust/corrosion in the coming days and test products/processes and find out which works best to address the problems. Since this may be an issue to more GX owners, I will post the results with pictures here. Maybe it will help others stop the rusting before it gets out of hand.

SlickTRD

project farm did a test of this to save you a lot of time - best is crc 6026 corrosion inhibitor - you can find it on amazon.

M4rk

Important disclaimer: the product may not be suitable for rubber components, or plastic. It is petroleum-based. I would save it for high wash areas and FF everything else.

CFAI

Not sure why this is a warranty issue. Does that mean they saying that your rust occurred since taking delivery? Or is Lexus saying that it is within the specs to sell new cars with surface rust? If that is the case, seems like perhaps they are incentivizing buyers to do a fuller inspection before taking delivery? The whole thing seems odd, unless surface rust isn't a big deal, and is a reasonable expectation?

AxisLexus

A second Lexus dealership said pretty much the same thing. While is is unsightly, the rust and corrosion is not a defect nor warrantable issue. Both dealerships said this is quite normal for northeastern cars to develop this level of rust/corrosion within a very short time. The dealership I bought it from is not returning my calls nor replying to emails. I suspect they do not want to deal with it or see it as a normal condition. Regardless, I plan to remove the rust/corrosion myself and then put a rust preventative coating on the parts as much as I can and then get on with enjoying the great GX. Thanks all for the interest in this problem I have.

Heaveyfoot

Makes me wonder if I should check the bottom of my car. I'm in New York and the car came from jersey. I bought the car in November of last year and only has 13xx miles on it. You would figure corrosion warranty would cover this but guess not