Q: Lots of rust on a newish car, what happened?

asked by on October 30, 2015

I was in the shop just the other day with my 2006 Nissan Altima getting an oil change when the mechanic called me over. He pointed to the floor under the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle that were just covered in rust. The driver side was so bad that I feel nervous placing my feet fully on the center of the floor. I don’t know how this could happen to such a new car. It has 140,000 miles on it but that is no reason for so much rust. Maybe if I drove 140,000 miles through the ocean, but not on the highways! What can I do to stop this problem?

Unfortunately, there is no stop to rust. It happens to all cars that are regularly exposed to the elements, but some parts of the country are worse than others. But don’t worry, Nissan is aware of the issue and has a repair for it. Technical Bulletin NTB15-059 outlines a procedure by which a replacement floor panel is secured and sealed in place. It take a couple of hours to do, plus drying time, and most dealers should have the parts in stock. The downside is that the warranty on this repair has only been extended to 5 years with unlimited mileage.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Experiencing electrical problems in cold weather.
This is very interesting. How cold does it have to be for them to not work? These systems may be tied together by a particular component, perhaps a circuit breaker, that is failing when it is cold outside. Temperature can...
Misfiring
This is often times related to what is called an idle air control valve which controls the air/fuel mixture at idle speed. When this is not working properly, this can cause the car to run either too rich (too much...
My impala will only start if I put starter fluid in the throttle body. I don't have to keep spraying for it to keep running.
Hi, thanks for writing in. This type of problem could be a weak fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-fuel-pump), an injector (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-fuel-injector) that is leaking down and not holding pressure, a fuel pressure regulator, or any number of other possibilities. It would be...
Blue Smoke After Cold Start
Hello and thank you for contacting YourMechanic. Blue smoke coming from the tail pipe is an indication of the engine burning excessive engine oil. Check the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/positive-crankcase-ventilation-pcv-valve-replacement) to determine if it is operational. The oil...
Will the front shocks and struts for a 1999 hyundai elantra fit on a 1999 hyundai accent?
Neither the strut assembly, nor the individual assembly components, for those two models in that year do NOT interchange in any parts catalogs and thus these parts cannot be interchanged on the two Hyundai models. YourMechanic (https://www.yourmechanic.com) can obtain the...
When I start the car it's turns over but sounds like it's struggling to do so.
It sounds like you may have a failing voltage regulator or failing alternator. As you may know, the alternator charges the battery while the engine runs by generating amperage and recharging the battery while the engine turns the alternator pulley....
CV Joints
What you are describing sounds like a failing CV joint (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/axle-cv-shaft-assembly-replacement). A CV (Constant Velocity) joint is a shaft that connects the transmission to the wheels, essentially transferring the power from the drive train directly to the wheels. The CV...
How long it take to fix this issues ?
If the vehicle is noticeably vibrating, simply request AdvanceTrac/Traction Control diagnostic and repair service (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/traction-control-light-is-on-inspection) and the responding certified mechanic will diagnose the issue and repair your car right at your location. It is best to repair the vehicle before...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Nissan Murano
The The 2012 Nissan Murano is a sleek crossover SUV that has all the modern amenities. It has ample interior space with a luxurious feel, and a driver oriented suspension. If you need a vehicle that can hold passengers and...
What Type of Oil Should I Use?
Changing oil in your car is among the most important car maintenance tasks. Your engine may use synthetic motor oil, conventional, or either oil type.
The Best Tool to Heat Up Rusted or Seized Parts
A micro torch is a great addition to a mechanic's tool box. It can clean rust that has built up in various parts of a car.