How bad is my undercarriage rust problem

4739 Views 16 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Treegrower, 14 d ago

KeithsJeep

Discussion Starter · Apr 3, 2021

4

Dealer sent me a 3 MB video file of rust "damage" to my 2013 Pat Sport (~ 46,000 miles). I couldn't load the video file so captured the four corners from the video - they're kind of fuzzy as a result. I've read a few threads here about the dreaded frame-rot of some of the earlier Pats. I crawled under the car and tapped the rust areas - seemed like "paint" chipped off but I didn't find any perforations. Not sure just how bad this might be. The rest of the car - body/paint, 2.0 engine, CVT, interior, tires/brakes, etc - is in great shape so would hate to junk her but don't want to invest car-value money (~$6450) into fixing it. I understand it's tough to give a good idea of what this might entail looking at just pictures of the four corners. But can anyone give me a rough measure of what I might be facing in the way of $$$ to fix. In the hundreds? In the thousands? Am I actually better off getting a newer vehicle and letting this one go off to the sunset?

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Ignatz

· #2 · Apr 3, 2021

I've seen prices on here in the $1400 range for this sort of frame repair. Trouble is, there may be other things that are pretty well worn. It might be wise to fix those things while it's apart rather than pay for redundant labor as those other parts fail.

Personally, I like to keep a vehicle running as long as I can.

Ignatz

· #3 · Apr 3, 2021

Your vehicle is less than 10 years old. Are you the original owner? If so, you might be covered by the extended warranty. Maybe reach out to @JeepCares. Have your VIN number for them.

KeithsJeep

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 4, 2021

Ignatz said:
'

Thanks for the info Ignatz. I too like to keep vehicles a long time. I've owned this one only 3 years - it was a rental and registered up north most of its life. Doubt mine would be helped by the warranty since I'm not the original owner. A couple thousand wouldn't be too hard to swallow since it is well below book value of the vehicle. Repairing a vehicle is usually much cheaper than buying a new (or newer but pre-owned) vehicle. I like this Pat and hope I can keep it on the road a good long time yet. But, when repair costs exceed ownership/value then I start looking toward the replacement process.

Moon Buggy

· #5 · Apr 5, 2021

Put a good coat of fluid film over everything and then replace parts as needed. That'll stop it getting worse and buy you time.

16 latitude

· #6 · Apr 5, 2021

Seeing as you are in FL, I'm not surprised the mechanic is panicking over the rust. They don't know what real rust looks like. Up here in the north, that ain't nuthin'.
I would get at it with a wire brush and some rust converter, followed by paint. Fluid Film wouldn't hurt.

JeepCares

· #7 · Apr 13, 2021

KeithsJeep said:
Dealer sent me a 3 MB video file of rust "damage" to my 2013 Pat Sport (~ 46,000 miles). I couldn't load the video file so captured the four corners from the video - they're kind of fuzzy as a result. I've read a few threads here about the dreaded frame-rot of some of the earlier Pats. I crawled under the car and tapped the rust areas - seemed like "paint" chipped off but I didn't find any perforations. Not sure just how bad this might be. The rest of the car - body/paint, 2.0 engine, CVT, interior, tires/brakes, etc - is in great shape so would hate to junk her but don't want to invest car-value money (~$6450) into fixing it. I understand it's tough to give a good idea of what this might entail looking at just pictures of the four corners. But can anyone give me a rough measure of what I might be facing in the way of $$$ to fix. In the hundreds? In the thousands? Am I actually better off getting a newer vehicle and letting this one go off to the sunset?

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Ignatz said:
Your vehicle is less than 10 years old. Are you the original owner? If so, you might be covered by the extended warranty. Maybe reach out to @JeepCares. Have your VIN number for them.

Hello Ignatz and KeithsJeep,

Thank you for the mention Ignatz! Yes, our team would love to assist you with your vehicle concerns KeithsJeep. Feel free to shoot us a DM with your VIN to get started.

Hannah
Jeep Cares

Moon Buggy

· #8 · Apr 13, 2021

JeepCares said:
Hello Ignatz and KeithsJeep,

Thank you for the mention Ignatz! Yes, our team would love to assist you with your vehicle concerns KeithsJeep. Feel free to shoot us a DM with your VIN to get started.

Hannah
Jeep Cares

That's cool they reached out.
OP, let us know how it goes.

KeithsJeep

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 14, 2021

2

I've written a DM to @JeepCares in response to their posting above. I do have some updated pictures of the repairs made so far on I think the front right of the vehicle - lots of new shiny (or not rusty) parts there now. Dealer (Bill Bryan Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Fruitland Park FL) is doing a great job so far. I'm looking forward to getting my "new" 2013 Patriot back in my stable.

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Ignatz

· #10 · Apr 14, 2021

We like good news!

Reactions: 1

Moon Buggy

· #11 · Apr 14, 2021

KeithsJeep said:
I've written a DM to @JeepCares in response to their posting above. I do have some updated pictures of the repairs made so far on I think the front right of the vehicle - lots of new shiny (or not rusty) parts there now. Dealer (Bill Bryan Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Fruitland Park FL) is doing a great job so far. I'm looking forward to getting my "new" 2013 Patriot back in my stable.

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That's impressive customer service!

KeithsJeep

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 15, 2021

Lest anyone think otherwise, the work is not (yet anyway) being picked up monetarily by anyone of the Chrysler Corporation. And the estimated cost is really large - almost insane except I'll be getting an almost new vehicle for a lot less than what an actual new Jeep will cost. If @JeepCares is able to somehow help get some relief from the cost, that will be great. But yes, so far my dealer has been treating me well with this Jeep. They also worked hard with me to help mature a new 2018 Pacifica that had what that minivan is known for - issues with the start/stop system and battery failures. Can't blame my dealer for the car they were sent and sold to me. Nor can I blame my dealer for the Jeep they got somehow that didn't have any record of damage or severe problems in the CarFax system from living in North Carolina for 2 years and then New York State for 3 years before I got it in 2018. I appreciate the comments and assistance all of you have written in response to my initial query about the rusted suspension components.

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Ignatz

· #13 · Apr 15, 2021

KeithsJeep said:
Lest anyone think otherwise, the work is not (yet anyway) being picked up monetarily by anyone of the Chrysler Corporation. And the estimated cost is really large - almost insane except I'll be getting an almost new vehicle for a lot less than what an actual new Jeep will cost. If @JeepCares is able to somehow help get some relief from the cost, that will be great. But yes, so far my dealer has been treating me well with this Jeep. They also worked hard with me to help mature a new 2018 Pacifica that had what that minivan is known for - issues with the start/stop system and battery failures. Can't blame my dealer for the car they were sent and sold to me. Nor can I blame my dealer for the Jeep they got somehow that didn't have any record of damage or severe problems in the CarFax system from living in North Carolina for 2 years and then New York State for 3 years before I got it in 2018. I appreciate the comments and assistance all of you have written in response to my initial query about the rusted suspension components.

I'm also on the Jeep Compass forum and the Compasses have start/stop problems, too. I think Jeep has a lot more work to do in that department. A single trip to the dealer probably uses more fuel than the start/stop system could possibly save over the life of the vehicle.

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KeithsJeep

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 16, 2021 (Edited)

Got my Pat home today - lots of replaced components but she acts like a new Jeep now - nice steering, braking, reaction to bumps in the road. I'll be driving this one well beyond the cutoff for buying any new gas-powered vehicles.
Replaced both front steering knuckles, both front wheel bearings, front hubs, front lower control arms, front calipers, front brake pads, front brake lines, all hardware and new bolts, replace rear k-frame, lower control arms, upper links, lower links, braces, all hardware, rear wheel bearings, rear wheel cylinders, rear hard brake lines, rear rubber brake lines, bleed brake and perform 4-wheel alignment. Multi-point inspection.
I think that completes this thread now. Appreciate all the inputs made you all of you.

I've been asked about the final cost: It was about $7,100 for parts (about 4,900) and labor (about 2,300) and then taxes, discount, etc. Hope that might help some other Pat/Compass owner that faces this issue.

Reactions: 1

John W Davis

· #15 · 1 mo ago

KeithsJeep said:
Dealer sent me a 3 MB video file of rust "damage" to my 2013 Pat Sport (~ 46,000 miles). I couldn't load the video file so captured the four corners from the video - they're kind of fuzzy as a result. I've read a few threads here about the dreaded frame-rot of some of the earlier Pats. I crawled under the car and tapped the rust areas - seemed like "paint" chipped off but I didn't find any perforations. Not sure just how bad this might be. The rest of the car - body/paint, 2.0 engine, CVT, interior, tires/brakes, etc - is in great shape so would hate to junk her but don't want to invest car-value money (~$6450) into fixing it. I understand it's tough to give a good idea of what this might entail looking at just pictures of the four corners. But can anyone give me a rough measure of what I might be facing in the way of $$$ to fix. In the hundreds? In the thousands? Am I actually better off getting a newer vehicle and letting this one go off to the sunset?

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Hello. There was a rust frame recall, and I got a new front suspension saddle I think they called it.

Ignatz

· #16 · 1 mo ago

John W Davis said:
Hello. There was a rust frame recall, and I got a new front suspension saddle I think they called it.

Recall or voluntary warranty extension? IIRC, FCA extended the warranty for the early years (maybe up to 2010 or 2011?) to 10 years on the frame for the original owner owner.

Treegrower

· #17 · 14 d ago

This is an older (1 year) thread, but I could not refrain from seeing the repair cost of $7,100. Yikes! For rust belt Jeepers, I want to share that I have been very pleased with the results of Krown rustproofing on my 10 year old Patriot. This thread erases any buyer's remorse that anyone might attempt to inflict on me. Rustproofing oil treatment could be a DIY project IF you took the time to learn about the interior cavities and purchased the proper equipment to apply it. Like muffler work, this is one of those things I do not mind paying someone else to do it.

At 10 years (2014 was purchased April 2013) my Patriot has been very low cost of ownership. I really think it pays to stay on top of ALL the routine maintenance duties. I go a few steps further and do things like apply a paper thin layer of water proof high solids moly paste to rotor hats, hubs, etc. to keep rust and seizing 100% at bay. I only detail (wax) twice annually (spring/fall) to maintain the paint a bit.

Take care Patriot comrades.

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