21 Articles
Car Buying
Crash test videos show how rust compromises safety

Rust protection is occupant protection

These recently released Swedish videos serve as a reminder that rust isn't just a cosmetic flaw, when it comes to cars. The insurance company Folksam and the homeowner organization Villaägarnas Riksförbund gathered examples of two relatively popular, but by now rusty cars, and then performed crash tests with them at the Thatcham Research facility in Britain. The results are sobering. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0;

Recalls
Hyundai recalls 41,264 Entourage minivans for faulty hood latches

Corrosion could lead to the hood coming loose while driving.

Report
Report
The US Air Force will bake its jets to kill corrosion-causing microorganisms

Yes, the Air Force built a fighter-jet-sized oven.

How to kill rust-causing germs: take one F-16, drop it in a huge oven, bake at 180 degrees until tender.

Video
This awesome 1000-watt laser tool makes rust disappear

Who wouldn't want to clean with lasers?

Unfortunately, technology like this doesn't come cheap.

Video
Nissan owners complain to feds about rusting floors

Many people have had issues with rusting floorboards in Nissan Altimas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received more than 400 complains about rust issues in 2002-2006 models.

Recalls
Toyota recalls 370k Sienna minivans, 10.5k Lexus GS models over separate issues

The year of the recall continues, but this time it isn't from General Motors. Toyota is announcing two, separate recalls affecting a pair of its models.

Recalls
Ford finally issues recall for 230K minivans over rust problems

The rust issue in the rear wheel wells of 2004-2007 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans has finally led to a recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began an investigation into the matter in 2011, said inv

Recalls
Toyota recalling 778,000 RAV4, HS 250h units for loose suspension fasteners

Toyota has announced that it will recall a total of 778,000 units that may have been manufactured with improperly-tightened nuts on the rear suspension. The manufacturer says around 760,000 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 models and 18,000 2010 Lexus HS 250h units may have fasteners that were not torqued to the correct specification during alignment.

Recalls
Jeep adds 137,000 Liberty models to previous recall

Chrysler has included an additional 137,000 vehicles in a previous Jeep Liberty recall, upping the total number of units covered to 356,900. The campaign initially included 2004 and 2005 Liberty models, but has been expanded to include units from model years 2006 and 2007 as well. The campaign i

Report
NHTSA upgrades investigation into Ford Freestar, Mercury Monterey rust issues

If you are still stuck driving a prematurely rusty 2004 Ford Freestar or Mercury Monterey minivan, you have our deepest sympathies. But for all your suffering, you might still gain some small measure of satisfaction from Ford.

Recalls
Jeep recalls 210K Liberty SUVs over corrosion issues

Chrysler has announced that it's recalling 209,724 Jeep Liberty models for lower control arms that may fracture due to rust. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration says the recall covers certain vehicles manufactured between July 3, 2003 and July 14 2005, which were originally sold or are c

Artist uses rust as brush to paint cars

There's a thin line between patina and outright decay, and artist Bo Lundvang seems to understand that threshold all too well. He's created unique pieces of art using massive 40-inch by 20-inch sheetmetal panels wrapped in white vinyl. The artist cuts out the profile of his desired image, removes the negative and allows the metal to endure the elements. Once the panels have reached the appropriate level of patina, Lundvang seals the pieces in several layers of clear coat to prevent further deter

Report
Feds open investigation into Chevy Express, Ford Freestar rust issues

'Tis the season... for road salt. And with that, comes rust. And what does rust bring? Well, for Ford and General Motors, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation. According to The Detroit News, NHTSA is looking into potential recalls issues with Chevrolet Express vans an

Toyota extends Tundra rust recall to include 2000-03 models, totalling 110,000 trucks

If you've been following the Toyota Tundra rust saga, you're aware that NHSTA recently requested data from Toyota about the purported frame corrosion affecting 2000 and 2001 models. Today, Toyota has extended that recall to include the 2002-03 model years, saying that a small number of trucks could suffer from frame corrosion that could cause the spare tire to detach from its underb

Kia recalling 2001-2004 Optima sedans in rust-prone states over subframe corrosion

The 2001-2004 Kia Optima is being recalled in several states for corrosion of the front subframe. The recall covers some 36,538 examples sold in the U.S. in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia – all areas typically noted for being high rust threats due to their

Reports of aggressively rusting Toyota pickup frames piling up

Some Toyota Tundra owners are reportedly experiencing inordinately heavy amounts of premature rust, and they want the Japanese automaker to take action to address the problem. WCVB TV in Boston has been investigating the Toyota rust situation for about a year, and they're reporting that at least two dozen 2000-2001 Tundra owners have complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Owners of 1995-2001 Toyota pickups say their vehicles had inadequate corrosion protection,

Will there be anything left? Tulsa Belvedere set to be de-rusted

The SS Belvedere emerged from its not-so-dry-dock almost two months ago, in all its ferrous oxide glory. Apparently the offer of restoration by Boyd Coddington has either been refused or rescinded, but either way, the Mopar is headed to New Jersey for a spa treatment. Safest Rust Remover, a product of the Dan Roth

Autoblog Project Garage: Underbody rust mitigation

Quite simply, rust sucks. Most any vehicle regularly driven during winters in the Salt Belt will fall victim to corrosion, and the various spray-on undercoatings available from the aftermarket have their shortcomings. Specifically, the spray-on application of these coatings often results in incomplete coverage, and what is applied will typically degrade upon repeated exposure to a decade's worth of abrasive road debris.

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