Underbody rust on a brand new Prado

[Darman Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Darman]

I have purchased a brand new Toyota Land cruiser Prado (Kakadu), last month.

While checking the vehicle, I observed most of the underbody parts are rusted on this vehicle like
1) Tie rod
2) Shocks Absorber bolts, nuts and washers.
3) Break liners and assembly behind the disks, mainly the rear ones.

After contacting the Dealer and to check why didn't they do any Pre Delivery Inspection, so he is saying this is quite normal as certain parts are untreated from the factory and this is not a structural damage and should be covered under rust protection.

It would be greatly appreciated, if someone can advise if this is the common problem with the new Prado's.

When we are paying top notch for these 4WD's here in Australia, should we except these rusted parts on a brand new cars? Isn't this a ripoff especially we are buying a standard Japanese car. Why can't Toyota can supply the galvanised bolts and nuts as a standard accessories. And does a dealer have any responsibility in treating these rusted parts under Warranty?

Thanks,

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

Nothing to worry about. In these instances the rust is actually a protective surface layer.

Looks like you need to get it dirty

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

The bolts rusting I would be concerned about, generally they have a protective coating, also the castled nut on the lower suspension
interests me as it looks like it should have a split pin to lock it?

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

The bolts rusting I would be concerned about, generally they have a protective coating, also the castled nut on the lower suspension
interests me as it looks like it should have a split pin to lock it?

Good pickup on the castled nut, that is definitely missing a split pin.

[Piggy Water pistol pilot. Find all posts View Profile Close Piggy]

There is a split pin already in that castled nut, (Albeit a very rusty stealthy type of split pin). Looks like a hole there but defo a head when you zoom in.

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Yep your right Piggy, is one there when you zoom in. The rust still intrigues me, my 2008 120 has nowhere near that amount of rust on it, only place
looks like that is the exhaust side of the turbo which is to be expected.

[GeeWhizz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GeeWhizz]

Rust on mild-steel, like panels and chassis members, can be a concern.

Rust on cast and drop-forged components would not be a concern to me. Having said that, it does seem uncharacteristic that Toyota would leave entire surfaces of these parts unpainted.

[simong Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close simong]

this is my 3 week old GXL, so it looks like a common issue (my dealer is in Nambour, Qld). I wonder if the boat ours came over on, had wet sea decks or something ?

[carco Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close carco]

Darman Toyota have been selling vehicles like this forever.
Your first photo is the steering lock bump stops. Should have been liberally covered in grease at pre-delivery.
Your 2nd photo is the rear axle bearing spacer. Never gets painted, just laziness as it’s clearly an afterthought and could be touched up.
Your3rd photo is front strut when the sway bar link attaches. I guess the Kack. doesn’t have sway bars?? I’m not familiar with the model but you can se3 in the GXL photos where the sway bar link attaches. No idea why someone couldn’t give it a hit with a spray can. More laziness.
The nuts and bolts are just poor finish, not plated.
Look under a Kia or Hyundai and see what plated bolts should look like.
Yes if I’d forked out for a new Toyota, I would expect the pre-delivery to at least make an attempt.
Cheapness on Toyota’s part but woeful laziness of the part of the dealer expecting a customer to pay Toyota premium and then have the gall to say that’s the finish one should expect.