Jeep Liberty Rusting

chasegizmo

I just purchased a brand new 2008 Jeep Liberty sport with 50 miles on it and I am concerned about all of the rust and corrosion that I found underneath and in the engine compartment when I went to install mud flaps.

I have owned Wranglers prior to this and never had the kind of rust that this has.

I took it back to the dealer and they put it up on a lift and told me that all the rust and corrosion was all surface and is normal for a Liberty and since it is normal they will not do anything about it. I found out at this time that it had been on the dealers lot for almost a year, which also concerns me.

I find it hard to believe that the amount of rust and corrosion that I have is normal and I am nervous about having my children drive it so I thought I would ask those who own them for their opinions as to the amount of rust that exists.

I do not know how to post pictures here so I put them under the link below.

http://www.andoauto.com/Liberty.htm

Please take a look at them and tell me what you think.

If all the Libertys are like this if I have it undercoated will it protect it from future rust and corrosion?

Thank You

tidester

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SUVs and Smart Shopper

caribou1

With a European approach, I would say your vehicle was not prepared carefully and remained in a salt water environment. A few rusty spots due to gravel impacts is one thing, but you have severe corrosion of the aluminium elements.

Rust on the suspension and transmission will take 20 years to become annoying. Corroded aluminium would be my source of worry since aluminium tends to age and looses it's mechanical properties. Finally, the bolts keeping together the aluminium assemblies shown on your pictures seem very cheap, I mean not even galvanically protected. I worked for the screw cutting industry and I'm well aware of this.

It isn't really a surprise to see how Daimler tries to make little profit over quality assurance. This is common logic within the EU automobile builders. I would suggest you to go in a garage and have a look underneath other vehicles; I have a Liberty 2003, we have salt and brine solution on our roads, and my bolts are not corroded. In fact I only have a few traces of oil leaking here and there, but no stains where I park.

By the way, I chose the Liberty because it was assembled in NA, and I looked underneath all 4x4s before buying. From what you've shown us with your set of pictures I will keep the one I have as long as there is diesel fuel available.

vtdog

I have an '05 Liberty that has spent its life in New England. Even with all the salt and snow my Jeep has very little rust. The pitting/oxidation I see in your engine compartment is very troubling. I suspect that the vehicle may have been flooded with salt water. I would check under the rug or inside door to see if you can find salt stains. In addition a carfax check for flooded vehicle might be in order too.
Good luck