Help 03's rust under dash

[20TERMINATOR03]

I'm adjusting my clutch and the metal brackets and dash frame are covered in rust. The car has never been in the rain always garaged and has 1800 miles. WTF, is this normal, does anyone else have this. Everything else looks brand new.
I'll post pics when I can. Does anyone else's 03 have this.

[Black SVT Focus]

If I were you I'd take it in immediatley. Thats something FORD will look into I'm almost positive.

That most like happened at production (water / moisture in cabin while built)

Or during delivery ; say damp or wet when having doors open.

Either way get it looked at man you really don't want or need rust in the passenger compartment.
Just my thoughts :wtf:

:cbra: = :allhail: nice car!!

[20TERMINATOR03]

Yes, its going in for sure. I called SVT and they said that some rust on unpainted parts is normal but they haven't heard of this problem. I wanted to check other 03's to compare before takin it in. BTW, my car was held back at production in October 2002 for 4 weeks with about 350 other cars, I'm wondering if someone left a window open.

[zakk03cobra]

Damn right that'll be a warranty coverage. I've driven in the
rain a couple of times now, and i'm clean.
Seems SVT has a couple of "bugs" to iron out....but when
you pay that much $$$ for a car which SVT claims go over
the result product with a fine-tooth comb before it leaves
the plant, rust certainly should not be one of them! :rant:

[20TERMINATOR03]

To fix this you would have to remove the entire dash assembly!:mad:

[Rocket]

Mine too, all the brackets etc under and behind the dash, production Mid Sep 02.

[20TERMINATOR03]

My build is september 26, 2002. What the hell causes that.

[Rocket]

I've noticed it on most of my new cars. IMO the metal is not treated with the rest of the car, so it oxidizes. Normal stuff I guess. Desireable, no. I don't think there's much you can do about that though, some manufactures have tried to use electronic "static discharge systems" to help alleviate some of that problem, mostly for under the car use.

[lethalchem]

The biggest question to me would be: Am I worried about it enough to take it in and have them mess with the car? I avoid the dealerships if at all possible. I never seem to get the car back the same way I brought it in. It just seems like things never quite get put back together properly.

[5.0 guy]

I'm sure there is always extra parts left over when they are done! I can't see it hurting the car, but I'm not a rust expert either. It sounds like maybe your cars got the rust when they seized production and stored them for a while, did all of you with rust have a September production car? I'm sure that it was exposed to moistier at some point.

[20TERMINATOR03]

I've checked around 8 other Cobras, they have 0-10% rust on the underdash brackets. I have 90%, the dealer checked it and may be willing to pay if I find someone to fix it! There is a silent recall on Expeditions with rusty seat frames, it was not painted either! Anyone else have this issue?

[03SNAKERUSH]

Hey 20T03- I too have a build date of 09-26-02 and I just did a pretty good visual inspect under dash- no rust to speak of. I would be very curious how Ford will handle this. Keep us posted!

[Mongoose]

Originally posted by 20TERMINATOR03
I have 90%, the dealer checked it and may be willing to pay if I find someone to fix it!
If you find someone to fix it :wtf: If you find someone to fix it :wtf:
I'd be goin round in circles with somebody :rant: They built your car they ought to be able to fix it if it is really that bad.

[KWladyka]

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49354&highlight=rust