Terrible Rust Throughout My Bronco Interior - How Did It Happen?

[Lifeliberty]

Was there an interior spray down, like scotchgard when you purchased it? Maybe it trapped moisture in there. I've never seen rusted headrest poles. Your rust would be normal in a 10 year old Ford though.

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[710-oil-614]

The headrest post is the only thing that I can say is not normal, the other component are all normal.

I would also add the rust under the interior plastic, but otherwise I tend to agree.

 

[Theherofails]

The uncoated mild steel parts are going to rust if you live near the ocean.. That is light surface rust and hasn't damaged the parts - purely cosmetic. You can rub the parts down with a rust remover (like diluted white vinegar) and then coat them with machine oil for protection.. You'll have to recoat them every so often to keep them from rusting. You don't need to gob the oil on, just a light coat and wipe it off.

Now, the coated parts (like the headrest) should not be rusting as they have a protective layer on the surface (its either stainless or chrome lined, can't recall). Only if that surface gets damaged should rust have the potential to form on the mild steel underneath..

 

[Butzy]

As others have said, I have seen it pretty common under the seats and dash (older vehicles) but never on the headrest posts. Does seem odd for a vehicle which isn't even 2 years old.

 

[Jeffp1108]

Is this your Bronco?

Quick! That thing needs a snorkel!

 

[flip]

Agree that under seat/dash normal but excessive, IMO. Headrest stems, nope. Something wrong there and would suggest some type of environmental fallout if it rubs off, if not, warrantable defect.

Did the vehicle sit at the plant for an extended time? Was it shipped by rail? Ever get caught in the rain with top down? Any fabric protection applied?

 

[Ground_zero298]

Definitely need a dehumidifier in it until it dries out. May want to rethink your storage setup too.

 

[MLRey]

Try putting some large desiccant bags under the seats if you're going to be someplace damp. Should help and requires no power.

 

[LCW]

Ice/Mud Mountain unit sitting outside for XX months?

 

[Gtrekker]

This is odd, a bit of a head scratcher...

Do you run the AC a lot? Possible source that you might not notice.

I would break out the WD and fog all the brackets. It will dry and just leave a film. There maybe some other products, just don't know what.

 

[omi205]

Is anyone else experiencing the INSIDE of their Bronco rusting? Basically, any unpainted surface in my Bronco is covered in rust. I have never left the roof off in the rain or gone into deep water. I tried to have it covered by Ford but they rejected it under the corrosion warranty. If this isn't corrosion, I do not understand what corrosion is.

Something dosnt add up. This didnt just happen. Something caused it. Year and mileage? Some rust I can understand but what you are showing is metal that has been exposed to water/salt for a decent amount of time. You said you went to the beach for three week sometime ago. First time and how long? Did people sit in the car, bare seats, with wet clothing? Did people leave their wet towels/objects in the car? Enough atmospheric water in the cabin can cause internal rusting. Particularly in hot climates as the water in the seats or towels (as examples) evaporates and circulates in the cabin and has no real escape out of the cabin. It will eventually land on objects in the cabin and possibly lead to rust. Im not saying this is what happened but possibly. Do you live in a hot climate/humid area? Do you ever walk to the vehicle and notice moisture on the inside of the windows?

 

[swooshdave]

Something dosnt add up. This didnt just happen. Something caused it. Year and mileage? Some rust I can understand but what you are showing is metal that has been exposed to water/salt for a decent amount of time. You said you went to the beach for three week sometime ago. First time and how long? Did people sit in the car, bare seats, with wet clothing? Did people leave their wet towels/objects in the car? Enough atmospheric water in the cabin can cause internal rusting. Particularly in hot climates as the water in the seats or towels (as examples) evaporates and circulates in the cabin and has no real escape out of the cabin. It will eventually land on objects in the cabin and possibly lead to rust. Im not saying this is what happened but possibly. Do you live in a hot climate/humid area? Do you ever walk to the vehicle and notice moisture on the inside of the windows?

I'm in this boat. This isn't from normal use. As sometimes happens with forum stories, you don't get the full picture.

How about you start from the beginning...

Are you the first owner and if so, was it delivered immediately from the factory?

Or are the the second owner of a flood damaged vehicle?

 

[SF Cowboy]

are you running a meth lab out of your garage? But in all seriousness…. Pool chemicals or chlorine stored nearby?

I agree if you have it in a garage and also pool chemicals like chlorine tabs or acid… eventually those items will rust and wreck everything metal…

 

[RoLyMa27]

I was at the beach for three weeks this past Summer and the second day there I noticed rust dripping from the soft top joints into the trunk. I didn't notice the rest of this until last month. I don't live near the ocean and do not have a pool. The pictures are - under both front seats, behind the steering column, the rear headrests and the soft top.

Fertilizer in your garage?

 

[Solfive]

How about a stockpile of water softener salt sitting in your garage? I realize it’s typically purchased in plastic bags but a fair amount escapes anytime they’re moved around.

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