I am new to the forum but I have been driving Dodge Trucks for the past 8 years. Previously I had a 200 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab. Plenty of problems with her but she was overall a nice truck. In April of 2012 I purchased a brand new 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Express (14 miles on it). At nearly 3 months I have just about 2,000 miles on it.

Last week i decided to take a look underneath the car. I found RUST and plenty of it. Its all over the drive shaft, axle, etc. I brought it back to the dealership. The service manager look under and asked me "Where's the rust?" Of course, he finally "saw" it when I looked under with him. He claims it is Surface Rust an nothing to worry about as it is common.

We actually went around the lot and look under other 2012 models that havent even been sold and the rust was there as well. So Im giving the dealer a pass but this is an issue as Dodge is simply using cheap metal.

I know all things rust but at 3 months/ 2,000 miles? I am wrong here? Let me know.

 

It depends on the area you live in. My 2010 Dakota only has very slight surface rust underneath, because its been out here in South Dakota its whole life. It was sold by the dealership in town as new, traded in for something else, and then bought by me.

East coast or other saltier and moister areas are much worse for this problem. Great Lakes area too.

If you are having issues with posting pictures, upload them to a free photo hosting site like Photobucket. Then just post the links here.

And for future reference:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...s-section.html

 

Thanks for the redirect. I am on the East Coast but not even 3 months and its been pretty dry. I just cant imagine what it will look like after a winter.

 

I've contemplated painting or at least priming my driveshaft to get rid of the rust all over mine.

 

My driveshaft is nice and orange from rust, but nothing else underneath is. I just figured it was a non painted item from the factory.

 

Make sure you undercoat it every year. Just to protect it

 

Most all vehicles are like that. If it bothers you, paint it. But its normal.

 

Guarantee priming or painting will not stop it. Unless you remove it, brush it to bare steel and ospho it, then it MIGHT go a yr without rusting. So if it bothers you so bad (the rust) why not wipe a thin coat of motor oil on it and be done with it? Its not like everyone you see will say "Oh my gosh, look, oil on this drive shaft"!! Sides, what you gonna do about the reared housing, paint that too right over the rust? Last 2 months at best.

 

Sorry, I already gold plated the rear housing, so that's not an issue.

 

I have a 2012 quad sport.. I cant believe how much rust it has showing up on the under carriage. Its all over the axles and frame but what is really concerning me is the exhaust. Its totally rusting.. not just that orange surface rust, but actually pitting.. I only have 5000 miles on it. ALso the pass. side door panel rattles like crazy. I took it apart to try and tighten the bolts on it, and come to find there is only 1 screw by the door handle.. total plastic garbage. Im going to have to put some foam or something in there to stiffen it up. I had a 2003 hemi quad before this truck and that one was a tank.. Im not impressed at all with this truck other then asthetics and power.. the quality is just not there