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Roof rust where windshield meets and dots on roof

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by BasedCourier, Nov 9, 2021.

  1. BasedCourier

    BasedCourier New Member

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    2015 Prius v wagon
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    III
    What are my options with this? One mechanic who isn't a body shop told me I'll need to replace the roof panel and it will cost thousands to fix.

    I sort of want to hear some Prius owner opinions on this now, if I can't stop it can I slow it? What fixes/hacks/etc have you guys used before?[​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just curious, are you close to ocean, or some airborne pollution? How often (or ever) do you wax? Parking inside or out?
     
  3. BasedCourier

    BasedCourier New Member

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    I'm in South Florida but I just "bought" the car about a week ago so I'm not about it's previous maintenance but inside is very clean. I'm within the time frame to return the car (it's carmax) but really like it and want to avoid doing that if I can but at the same time I'm hearing stories of it rusting out quick and letting water come in. Just wondering if there are options that make sense besides returning the car and continuing my hunt.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe pull off the rubber runners on the roof, see what it looks like in there.
     
  5. gromittoo

    gromittoo Active Member

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    Just go to a drive through car wash, the rubber runners will come off by themselves. I remove them prior to getting the car washed.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  6. BasedCourier

    BasedCourier New Member

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    III
    This thing stumped 2 master mechanics and everyone I've showed it to.. One said he did Body work for 30 years and wouldn't touch it. I didn't like my odds so brought it back to Carmax and going to figure out what I'm going to do while they figure out what they are going to do. Maybe get the down payment back and just get an older Prius and run it into the ground but I seriously liked this one. Maybe look for another 2015 but study the hell out of what to look for in rust before even getting into it to avoid the paperwork and hassle of needing to bring it back if it passes with flying colors (like this one did at 2 PPIs, both recommended on this forum).

    I seriously doubt they will fix it correctly but you never know, once they call me and tell me to come down/come get it I'm going to bring it to a few body shops for an inspection and find out if whatever they do will at least buy me a few years. Wish me luck.
     
  7. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    I'd return it. The rust will only get worse. If rust come through the paint, it's much worse inside where it cant be seen. I'd check the underbody and the bottom area of the doors and quarter panels, too. Sounds like the car was kept close to the ocean.
     
  8. BasedCourier

    BasedCourier New Member

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    Breaks my heart to hear that. Here are some picture of the undercarriage and other parts from the PPI. Any hope?
    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  9. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Underside looks OK. Those rust spots mean that it's an ocean beach car. My dad lived right on the beach at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He had the same problem. The spots were eventually rusted through.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The underside looks pretty damn good. But that roof...: maybe previous owner parked near some airborne corrosion source, regularly?

    Rear axle may have been replaced with salvage? Note the numbers marked on it with a paint pen.

    But yeah, very clean and rust-free.