auto body repair problem - advice needed

[Icepick]

Just looking for some advice here.

In 2005 I had the roof of my 2001 Subaru Outback replaced due to hail damage. This was replaced under an insurance claim and the work was performed at the dealer. I still have the paperwork.

Now I've got rust forming on the roof in three places (over the front driver's side door, over the front passenger's door, over the rear passenger's door.)

I'm assuming that the rust is forming because the replacement roof wasn't painted correctly (i.e. no clearcoat or rustproofing applied before they painted it.) I'm assuming this because there's no rust anywhere else on the car and I see cars go more than 10 years these days without picking up rust.

Do I have any recourse options now? Is it reasonable to expect the dealer to fix this at their own expense?

 

[Bartman39]

Possibly...? Most all shops I deal with now offer a lifetime warranty on their work, but not sure that far back and that old of an auto...?

Do have a question is the rust in the area of the edge of the roof line...?

One of our employee`s cars got hit by a backhoe that was ours also (was being driven by a non-english speaking person (other contractor) and it damaged the roof and the back door (Toyota RAV4)... The shop I used to get it repaired let me know that if they replaced the whole roof it had alot more chance of leakage or corrosion in the future than if they just repaired the orginal roof... After explaining this to the employee and letting the shop pull and get the damage roughed in the employee was very impressed and went with just the repair...

The shop owner explained that unless the roof is replaced with a machine just like what the factory uses and the proper sealer used as well the repair will most likely fail within 2-5 years... Even dealers do not always have the proper tools and follow proper procedures to do a lasting repair... Its all about the benjamins... I would take it to them and try but doubt it will fly...? Get it fixed cheap as possible and either trade it or sell it...

 

[IcePickFreak]

My guess is it's the welds rusting because they weren't properly sealed. Is it rusting right by the seam where the roof panel meets the side panel?

I'd definitely take it back to the shop that did the work and see what they say - ie. if they're willing to work with you or if they just deny any responsibility first. They make so many adhesives today (that weren't available in even 2005) that it's a bit easier to avoid this problem. Does the paper work state any warranty of work performed?

 

[Icepick]

It's rusting on top of the roof right where the rubber seam is between the window and the roof assembly. It doesn't look like there would be any welds in this area. I'll take pics later and post them.