Undercarriage Salt Contamination

[Wetherman]

Picked up my new 2021 3.0 Premium in April with 20 miles on it after my test drive a few days earlier. I bought it at a dealer in Mt Laurel, NJ. Got it home to Allentown, PA in sunny, no precipitation weather. Started looking underneath the car when I saw quite a bit of white splatter inside the wheel wells. The further I looked, the more white deposits I found. Upon closer inspection it was salt - was so pissed I called teh dealer and wanted another car but they said this was something they couldn't control and would not take it back. I have 500 miles on it now and it never goes out in the rain.

Has anyone ever experienced this with their new car?? I can only assume it got hit pretty hard coming across the ocean with sea water - it is the only thing that makes sense to me. Paint is perfect but the mechanicals I have spent hours trying to clean ups. Exhaust was rusted but several of these items will be upgraded. anyway but still sticks in my craw.

Anybody with suggestion about salt neutralization techniques. I have made it much better but still have work to do. Nice way to introduce myself to my new Supra. Love the car but this is annoying as hell. Dealer sent me a check for $500 but not very satisfying. Am I complaining too much?

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[zrk]

Woahhhh. That’s a serious amount of salt/damage. The exhaust pipe rust is nuts.

 

[Andrew4Supra]

I would strongly suggest getting the car up on a lift and blasting the underside at multiple angles with a great deal of water pressure with a power washer. This should flush any remaining salt or residue from the underside and access the nooks and crannies.

This would allow me to sleep better at night.

I would bet someone at the NJ dealer drove it on the salt and snow covered roads.

 

[Okvilln]

I would bet someone at the NJ dealer drove it on the salt and snow covered roads.

Thats what im thinking. Cant avoid salty roads in the NE - especially if the vehicle was driven from dealer to dealer.

 

[Wetherman]

Not sure how many miles are typically on a new car but it had 10 when I test drove it in April. Theoretically I guess it is possible but the car would have had to have been on the lot for the winter and in their inventory for 3.5 months. Manufacturer date is 12/2020 so maybe.

In the end it doesn't matter but I do have to continue to work through it the "desalination" process..... @#$%$! Would love to see how they packed/protected for shipment from Germany.

 

[3TMagnetMan]

I would use a power washer to clean the salt and spray Fluid film on a towel and wipe it down. It will keep everything under the car clean and protected. I do this to my FJ Cruiser every spring and fall before and after winter in NJ.

 

[XtremeMaC]

Would love to see how they packed/protected for shipment from Germany.

From Austria

 

[Loco38SUP]

I would be so pissed!!

No way that salt is from the trip across the ocean. It would be all over the sides and paint too.

They probably moved it around their parking lot with salt covered slush and just left it rust. Call Toyota Corporate and file a complaint. $500 is an insult.

Which dealership was it?

-RJM

 

[legacy_etu]

Wow, that's a bummer on a new car. I use this stuff to flush my engine on my Jet Ski. It's to neutralize salt deposits. I can't say if it's safe to use on car surfaces so I would read up on it.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Salt-Awa...6_10001063931&wl14=outboard salt away&veh=sem

or this stuff which is probably very similar . https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=1449114#

 

[Wetherman]

Thanks for the support guys. It's good and bad to know that my situation was unique. Hate to see it happen to anyone else but frustrated I didn't catch it at pick-up day. Exhaust is on order and suspension parts won't be far behind. I love working on my car just didn't think it would be this soon and in this way. I really appreciate this forum!

 

[Zupra1776]

I would be so pissed!!

No way that salt is from the trip across the ocean. It would be all over the sides and paint too.

They probably moved it around their parking lot with salt covered slush and just left it rust. Call Toyota Corporate and file a complaint. $500 is an insult.

Which dealership was it?

-RJM

This^ contact toyota corporate, file a complaint with the DMV, leave them reviews.

Just blast them until someone does something or at least warn others about that dealer.

Just another classic example of car dealerships out screwing people at every opportunity.

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