Does an expedition without rust bubbles exist?

[Mike2005]

I am half joking as I am sure Expeditions do exist without rust. I just sold my 2005 that had rust bubbles on the tailgate and hood after just 2 years. I had it fixed, but it came have a few years later. I just sold the vehicle because the rust was getting bad.

That said, I love the truck so I am looking for a newer one. Unfortunately I cannot buy new but figured I should be able to find one in the 2010-2013 range in nice condition. So far, out of 9 expeditions that I have looked at, every single one of them has bubbling on the tailgate and most of them on the hood too.

I will continue this painful search, but I ask you all? Is it possible to find an Expedition without rust? Feeling frustrated!

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

You can find a 3rd gen without rust, but not without peeling/bubbling that has started or is quietly brewing under the surface (unless someone has already replaced the panels or fully stripped and sealed them).

 

[Mike2005]

You can find a 3rd gen without rust, but not without peeling/bubbling that has started or is quietly brewing under the surface (unless someone has already replaced the panels or fully stripped and sealed them).

Yeah, I think that you are correct. Do you know of ford figured it out on the later years? 2014,15 or today?

 

[reece146]

Buy something in the south west, fly in and drive it back. It's the only way to do it. Wish I did. Not sure how much it is to ship a full size cross country - probably around $1500 so I look at it as an excuse for a mini adventure.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Yeah, I think that you are correct. Do you know of ford figured it out on the later years? 2014,15 or today?

They did not. As per Ford TSB 16-0028 the problem affects the following models:

FORD:
2000-2003 Ranger
2005-2006 Ford GT
2000-2007 Crown Victoria, Taurus
2007-2010 Explorer Sport Trac
2000-2016 Expedition
2002-2016 Explorer
2004-2016 F-150
2005-2016 Mustang
2013-2016 Fusion
LINCOLN:
2000-2006 Lincoln LS
2000-2007 Town Car
2000-2016 Navigator
2010-2016 MKT
2013-2016 MKZ
2016 MKX
MERCURY:
2003-2004 Marauder
2000-2007 Grand Marquis
2002-2007 Sable
2002-2010 Mountaineer

Buy something in the south west, fly in and drive it back. It's the only way to do it. Wish I did. Not sure how much it is to ship a full size cross country - probably around $1500 so I look at it as an excuse for a mini adventure.

You'll certainly get a vehicle with far less corrosion if you do that, but the problem he is referencing isn't one due to damage from the elements or road salt. It's due to a well known manufacturer defect affecting the aforementioned models.

 

[Mike2005]

Thank you all. So let me ask this, if you do have one that is as clear as possible, is there a proactive step to take to prevent it or at least slow it down?

 

[Bedrck47]

Welcome to the Forum

 

[ExplorerTom]

ZERO rust bubbles on mine. Colorado truck its entire life. 16 years and 200,000 miles.

 

[DesertFordRat]

Yea down in arizona rust is unheard of. Mine doesn't have any hint of it under the vehicle or on the paint.

 

[ThwopKing]

Zero rust on mine....even with a few dings and scraps. Mines a 99 with 185k miles

Sent while like doing stuff and what not.

 

[Transporter]

Question: How can an Aluminum Rear Lift Gate Rust? Its aluminum!

My 2003 has an Aluminum Lift Gate. Can't put any of the Lighthouse, NRA, ARF Bolt Logo, 26.2, 0.0 Don't Run magnetic vinyl ovals on the back. They just fall to the ground because there is no steel.

Mine has been up north a couple times during winter for Family Christmas and New Years, but I always pull off the highway and spray the truck and under body after I am south of the snow area. No rust on mine. I did have three places on the hood that developed little round dots the size of a BB that showed white and I had to sand them and apply touch up paint. Never saw a bubble or any rust, but they were perfectly round as a bubble would be.

 

[FisherPete]

Sounds like a geographic problem, not a vehicle problem. Simple solution - move west.

Seriously, my 99 with 250K had no bubbles. My '12 with 70k is also bubble free. I don't know that I've seen rust on an Expy out here, other than ones with redneck body work.

 

[brick]

My 2003 Expy has almost 200,000 miles on it, not a spec of rust anywhere, and the paint still shines. This car has lived outside its whole life. Has never been north of TN.
I hope to get the same out of my new 2016 Expy.
brick

 

[1955moose]

My 2000 expy had rust bubbles on roof. The problem is Ford puts dimples on the roof which makes water gather. My SUV is a California vehicle, and gets washed weekly. Salt, snow, and humidity will destroy even the best prepared vehicle. Best advice is to hose off vehicle at least 2-3 times week and keep a quality wax on all painted areas to keep rust to a minimum.


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