Is this Rust? 2023 Bronco Wildtrak

[greybroncocactus]

Hello everyone. I have a 2023 bronco Wildtrak. I was doing my weekly car wash when I noticed that, underneath the front fenders, this part had a brown spot which I could only think of as rust. Is this normal and should I be worried? Does your Bronco have it too?

My Wildtrak only has 4500 miles on it. I want to keep my Wildtrak for the long term, but this is making me think it’s not gonna last 100k miles haha.

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[Rydfree]

1st new vehicle ? lol

 

[greybroncocactus]

1st new vehicle ? lol

It’s my 5th new car, but first truck. I’m def not a mechanic haha

 

[710-oil-614]

Yeah it is rust. Ford does not rust protect a number of drivetrain and underbody components. Just cosmetic.

 

[BigFootie]

You are going to get some surface rust on some parts. It’s just the way it is.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Is everyone actually looking at the pictures? Rust doesn't "drip". One can see the 3 bolts for mounting the shock assembly. In the center, that is orange, is the fitting where the shock assembly is filled with oil.

To the OP, yes, you will see rust on components in short order. But what you are concerned about looks to be oil from the shock that was likely a result from the supplier. It doesn't look "new" despite your Bronco being new.

 

[Overcooked]

Just checked my 2023 WT, on passenger it looks like yours, I’d say it’s oil leak?
Driver side is clean..

passenger:

driver:

It only has 1200 miles (been through two offroad trails and one beach run for surfperching). Drives fine!

 

[0ne]

Probably an assembly lubricant or marking dye

 

[ScottyC]

Looks like rust proofing over spray

 

[PA BRaptor]

As mentioned, undercarriages will rust some and with a truck you'll see more of it. From your photo, that does not look like rust. Touch it to see if it's wet. If it is I'd probably talk to dealers service dept. If its not I wouldn't worry about it as its likely something from the assembly line.

 

[broadicustomworks]

I'd be curious if the parts come into the factory with a coating of cosmoline to prevent rusting while in stock/warehousing?
Almost looks like some aged cosmoline that was not removed prior to assembly?

 

[Valhalla]

If it is like our factory that could be wax. We use a wax at the end of the paint process on the underbody to get in those pesky places that paint wont go. it seels weep holes up.

 

[GPPBronco]

Looks like rust proofing over spray

That’s what I thought had happened to mine (which look the same as the OP’s photo). This thread is making me second guess that.

Still unclear to me if this is a problem or just an unsightly byproduct of the manufacture/assembly process.

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