2017 Expedition - Roof/Rain Channel Rust

[Shifting_Gears]

Hi everyone.

I’m a Ford guy looking for a new dad mobile. I found a 2017 King Ranch with 110k, 1 owner for under $19k. Went and looked at it today. Truck is spotless outside of the normal wear items. Runs and drives great. I was very interested in it UNTIL I looked up on the roof and saw something seriously frustrating.

Is this a common issue for this body style? Dealer said they’d sub it to a body shop to fix but I’m concerned about this being more than surface.

 

[GlennSullivan]

Ive got 2011 and 2017 Expys and neither is rusted / peeling in that area.

Looks like improper prime / paint or possibly winter snow / salt if it spent time in a northern climate. Check the CarFax to determine its location history and the underside frame and body areas to check for other rust. If other rust, then pass.

If no rust on the underside or the bottom of doors and you can physically observe the areas taken down to clean bare metal before paint (sale subject to this) then go for it. If you can’t, Id be concerned if the body shop encounters severe rust they will bondo and paint over.

Also make sure you get a Ford extended service plan.

 

[Shifting_Gears]

Ive got 2011 and 2017 Expys and neither is rusted / peeling in that area.

Looks like improper prime / paint or possibly winter snow / salt if it spent time in a northern climate. Check the CarFax to determine its location history and the underside frame and body areas to check for other rust. If other rust, then pass.

If no rust on the underside or the bottom of doors and you can physically observe the areas taken down to clean bare metal before paint (sale subject to this) then go for it. If you can’t, Id be concerned if the body shop encounters severe rust they will bondo and paint over.

Also make sure you get a Ford extended service plan.

Thanks for the advice. It has been in
South Florida since new. Underside is rust free. The dealer doesn’t have a body shop (smaller Lincoln dealer) and said they’d sub it out. Good suggestion about seeing the work. I will probably pass on it though. Had a Jeep previously with roof rust and it was infuriating.

 

[GlennSullivan]

Thanks for the advice. It has been in
South Florida since new. Underside is rust free. The dealer doesn’t have a body shop (smaller Lincoln dealer) and said they’d sub it out. Good suggestion about seeing the work. I will probably pass on it though. Had a Jeep previously with roof rust and it was infuriating.

If FL since new Im guessing mfg flaw.

 

[Fasttimes]

I'm in South FL and I had the same happen to two previous Expys, 2000 and a 2010. I now have a 2017 and I fully expect it to happen as well. I just assumed they all had this issue eventually.

 

[GlennSullivan]

Question: were both of the Expys left outside as opposed to being garaged? My 2011 does not show any indication of this problem. It came to SE FL in 2014 and has lived there ever since. However it is garaged and out of the sun 6-7 months during the big sun months (May toNovember).

 

[Shifting_Gears]

I'm in South FL and I had the same happen to two previous Expys, 2000 and a 2010. I now have a 2017 and I fully expect it to happen as well. I just assumed they all had this issue eventually.

Did either of them leak and how bad did it progress?

 

[Shifting_Gears]

Question: were both of the Expys left outside as opposed to being garaged? My 2011 does not show any indication of this problem. It came to SE FL in 2014 and has lived there ever since. However it is garaged and out of the sun 6-7 months during the big sun months (May toNovember).

I wonder if it has to do with salt exposure too? The truck was bought from Sawgrass Ford (Sunrise) and then went to Homestead. With onshore breezes I’m sure there’s been plenty of salt mist over time that maybe settled onto that area. I think there’s supposed to be seam sealer there so maybe that’s how it all starts.

 

[Fasttimes]

Did either of them leak and how bad did it progress?

They never leaked. I believe one time I had a body shop clean it up and paint the roof. Another time I sanded and hit the channels with a spay paint the same color as the truck.

As I said, I just assumed it's a norm in South Florida.