Door Sill Rust (64K miles)

It's possible that the rusted sill is a replacement part not properly installed or that has been damaged in some manner to expose metal thus the rust.

 

If the dealer statement is true get a copy of the invoice and payment receipt and photos and contact Toyota Corporate. I had a problem a few years back with an Acura MDX rear latch and they reimbursed me in full.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Make sure your repair shop uses a One Step rust converter primer for the repair area. This will eliminate further rust propagation . It converts rust into a primer that will just about guarantee no more problems.

 

Post pictures if and when you can.

I've got something similar I think, called: Rust-Mort? It's acidic. Instruction is to brush off loose rust, but leave some, apply the stuff and it sort of etches and converts the rust to a stable patina.

 

They sell "rust converter" by Rustoleum at Home Depot here in Edmonton. Used it on the FJ Cruiser. Seems to work well.
I haven't seen any rust on the Prius but I also haven't removed the plastic lately. Pearl S does get driven when the snow/ice is not too
bad, though this winter I'm trying to put kms on the FJ and not on the Prius. For insurance purposes.

The FJ is driven in winter and parked in an unheated garage. The problem with parking in a garage is humidity buildup. If it's a heated garage it can also cause corrosion to happen all winter, instead of when it's above freezing, but that may not apply in Pittsburgh. It warmed up here yesterday, and I drove about 5-10 km on the messy streets. This morning I had a lake in the garage!

 

Honda Manuals used to discuss that, saying "if" you're driving infrequently, there's advantages to heated garage. But if you're driving near daily, then the heated garage will end up accelerating rusting.

 

my garage is almost always moist, and i wouldn't be surprised if there are accelerated rust issues. my rotors are almost always noisy when backing out, and the longer it sits in there, the worse it gets.

 

Get some kind of vent?

 

i would if there was a good idea that might help. i have 4 problems:

1) floor pitches to the back.

2) rain off car when pulling in.

3) snow off car when pulling in.

4) when it rains and/or high humidity, the concrete gets very moist. i try to keep the doors closed as much as possible in this weather, but it's almost unavoidable.

 

Yeah that's not good. Time to get the "This Old House" gang in.

 

would i love to! 12 years here, and we'll likely be moving in the next 5 or so. i'll let someone else deal with it. i just remodeled the whole inside of the garage, and i'm going to put down rubber floor tiles in the spring with drain slots, so at least we're not walking in it, and can put stuff on the floor.

 

This is what was designed into our garage in California (and many we saw when house hunting 3 years ago):

Ceiling of garage:



Base of the garage:



This is common out here but not so much in other parts of the country.

Maybe in the next 5 years you'll see it for yourself @bisco !

 

up close and personal, i hope.

 

As I tell my parents while reside in Pennsylvania, it is just off of I-80 .

 

Garage floors are designed to pitch to the back, e.g. slightly down hill. The slabs are built that way, at least here.

 

Bisco's bucking the trend tho, he ends up with a swamp at the back.

 

Just because your car is garaged doesn't mean it's not subject to rust.Espcielly if the garage is damp also didn't you say your Prius has door gaurd edges?If so I've been told they and wheel well guards are the worst things to install on any vehicle because water gets trapped under them causing rust.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I think it helps a lot though. Just walking our dog this morning, all the cars street parked are covered in frost. If it was any warmer they'd be dripping dew. Ours is garage stored, dry as a bone. It's a wood frame structure, unheated, wood garage door, so guess it breathes good.

Maybe even a carport keeps the dew off, not sure.

The engine compartment looks like new too. The suspension components, any low down fasteners, metal: seem to rust-up fast though. Not too impressed.