2021 Gladiator bed RUST!!!! Warranty Work Denied @JeepCares case # 85358918

[helmer_in]

Does anyone have any experience with Jeep denying a rust warranty claim on a 2-year-old Jeep? I live in Orlando, FL. I go to the beach. I use the bed of the truck and I understand the risks with salt water and I was planning to get a bed liner spray. Nevertheless, I never would have imagined rust on a 2 year 17K vehicle. Neither did the dealer who basically told me this never happens so it must be my fault- something I did wrong. I am not happy. I called Stellantis warranty department and they won't let me speak with a manager or supervisor, once the claim is denied. Can't even get someone to explain the reasons why or make any sense for the denial.

@JeepCares case # 85358918
@JeeP # 85358918

Any help/insight would be greatly appreciated.

Helmer Koppen

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[JRobes]

Did you happen to have a bed mat in there? Almost looks like it rusted around the outline of where one would have been, and I could see sand (you mentioned Florida) acting as an abrasive and wearing through the paint along the mat's edge (which would not be covered under warranty).

That aside, I'd just ask a bedliner shop to spend a bit of extra time removing the rust during the bedliner prep work and have them spray it right after.

 

[Riccochet]

Salt water/air is a nightmare. Did you hose it out after every fishing trip? Sand and salty ass fishing gear will tear a vehicle up.

I wouldn't warranty that either.

Take it to a line-x dealer and let them sand it down and coat it. That's your only option.

 

[Mister Lamb]

Did you happen to have a bed mat in there? Almost looks like it rusted around the outline of where one would have been, and I could see sand (you mentioned Florida) acting as an abrasive and wearing through the paint along the mat's edge (which would not be covered under warranty).

That aside, I'd just ask a bedliner shop to spend a bit of extra time removing the rust during the bedliner prep work and have them spray it right after.

I too noticed some rust and after reading this have to assume it's from the bed mat? The only thing throwing me off is the fact it's along the edges of the corner of the bed where the mat doesn't ever touch.

pic:

 

[JRobes]

I too noticed some rust and after reading this have to assume it's from the bed mat? The only thing throwing me off is the fact it's along the edges of the corner of the bed where the mat doesn't ever touch.

pic:

Yours looks to be forming from between the sheetmetal pieces where the bed bottom meets the sidewall, which is a bit different than the OP's.

 

[ATL_Rubi]

I'm no chemist, but perhaps a coating on the RC Molle panels is eating away at the coat? Does it occur anywhere else besides where the panels are?

 

[staying_tuned]

It's almost certainly from not cleaning up after tapping the holes which is required on the RC side panels. Essentially a pile of shavings that simply began to rust and has started to eat into your bed top down. The pools are directly above the areas that are tapped. I'd pull those panels unless you need them. RC is notorious for terrible powder coating so its only a matter of time before you have rust water dripping down on the bed constantly, especially being in the south.

The good news is you can likely hit it with a light brush and white vinegar, I bet it hasn't eaten too much of your paint. You could also take this opportunity to fix it for good while getting the bed lined. Scuff then apply Por-15 then have line-x shoot it.

For reference in case those panels were installed by the previous owner: https://s3.amazonaws.com/roughcountry/install/921106320.pdf

 

[dmwphoto]

It's almost certainly from not cleaning up after tapping the holes which is required on the RC side panels. Essentially a pile of shavings that simply began to rust and has started to eat into your bed top down. The pools are directly above the areas that are tapped. I'd pull those panels unless you need them. RC is notorious for terrible powder coating so its only a matter of time before you have rust water dripping down on the bed constantly, especially being in the south.

The good news is you can likely hit it with a light brush and white vinegar, I bet it hasn't eaten too much of your paint. You could also take this opportunity to fix it for good while getting the bed lined. Scuff then apply Por-15 then have line-x shoot it.

For reference in case those panels were installed by the previous owner: https://s3.amazonaws.com/roughcountry/install/921106320.pdf

spot on advice!

 

[TheDerb]

I had the same thing happen under my RC panels on an old Taco I used for work. It was the weirdest damn thing, and I never put 2+2 together that it may have been the panels. It was the only spot(s) the truck had any rust.

As far as the Jeep Cares situation, I think that it is really lousy... curious, though: What is the desired fix for that? Media blasting and a re-coat?

 

[ChrisNLA]

It's almost certainly from not cleaning up after tapping the holes which is required on the RC side panels. Essentially a pile of shavings that simply began to rust and has started to eat into your bed top down. The pools are directly above the areas that are tapped. I'd pull those panels unless you need them. RC is notorious for terrible powder coating so its only a matter of time before you have rust water dripping down on the bed constantly, especially being in the south.

The good news is you can likely hit it with a light brush and white vinegar, I bet it hasn't eaten too much of your paint. You could also take this opportunity to fix it for good while getting the bed lined. Scuff then apply Por-15 then have line-x shoot it.

For reference in case those panels were installed by the previous owner: https://s3.amazonaws.com/roughcountry/install/921106320.pdf

Very keen observation. Could be a possibility.

We have seen similar cases like this before where we build trucks. An assembly hand would drill a hole in steel and not clean up the shavings. Truck gets parked outside, shavings rust in the rain and damage whatever it was they were sitting on or it (compartment floor, inside a frame rail, etc).

 

[staying_tuned]

Truck gets parked outside, shavings rust in the rain and damage whatever it was they were sitting on or it (compartment floor, inside a frame rail, etc).

I'm not sure what the bed's metal composition is but it seems like the tiniest shard can quadruple in size as it turns into a blob of rust. I had it happen when drilling the bracing on my Leitner bed rack. The shavings fell in a seam and within a week began to rust on top of my lined bed. I thought it was the bed itself but after a light scrub 100% of it came up. Based on the OP's pics, I bet the actual paint is not that bad.

 

[Minty JL]

This is why I did a factory spray in bed liner

 

[cafecito]

Friends don't let friends RC.

 

[BearFootSam]

This is why I did a factory spray in bed liner

Yeah, that is brutal looking even though in all likelihood it's an easy cleanup. My bed would be a wreck without the liner, well spent money for sure. Frankly it should be standard with option to delete on any truck.

 

[Riccochet]

Friends don't let friends RC.

Or Shittybilt

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