My 2002.5 (31k) Protege 5 is rusting on the inner rear fender lips. It's not from rock chips as you can tell it's bubling from under the paint---i.e, there's not chips with rust in the chip. It's simpling crawling around under the paint about ready to break through.

I am not sure what to do. I know it should be covered under warranty, but I know that you can never totally repair rust. That worries me, to be honest. It'll just come back in a year---even if I cleaned it every day.

Thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks!
Curt B. Shumaker

 

i believe mazda has a rust warranty of 100K miles....however given mazdas inability to honor warranties you will probably not be covered if you have ever tasted, seen or know someone who has used salt in any form for any reason.

 

Man, this doesn't bode well for me, since they also salt the roads in Michigan. Got any pictures of the rust bubbles?

By the way, usually automakers have rust perforation warranty. In other words, they guarantee that it won't rust THROUGH in the given warranty period. If you don't have a hole(and it is just surface rust), they might not fix it. I would call a dealership and just talk to the service manager about it. And if you do, please let us know what you find out!