2004 Mustang Convertible: Rust on pedal levers.

Flood damage is the first thing I'd suspect when there's rust in places where there usually isn't ...you should look for rust in other normally non-rusting areas like the metal dash parts and seat mechanisms.

(More things to look for:

If it just looks like surface rust, there's not much cause for concern structurally (it could have been a bad day for the robot that coated it at the factory). However, if there is rust in other places, there could be some corrosion in the electricals...which is cause for concern.

Since this is a convertible, it could have been caught in the rain with the top down and wasn't dried out properly when it was closed (or the top leaks).

My '97 convertible has some rust specks on the pedal levers, but it looks harmless...and the car spent the first few years of it's life near salt water.

Try going back to the dealer and requesting a Carfax report (especially if you find more rust)...I suspect if a flood/water damage claim was made, it would show up.

It's a ragtop, coulda rained at one point in it's career while the top was down. As long as there is no serious rust anywhere else on the car I wouldn't get excited. Seems there should be at least a coat of paint on the pedals to prevent such a situation. Is it rusted thru the paint or are they bare metal??

I can't speak about the Mustang directly, however, I did have a problem with rust on the middle sseat frames of my 2003 Expedition. The parts were originally coated with some sort of black material (paint?). However, after a couple of years rust appeared on the parts. Ford replaced the seat frame parts at no charge. I was told that the coating used was defective. Simialr third row and front row parts, that orignally looked the same, never rusted. I assume the supplier screwed up. Could be a similar problem with the Mustang pedals. I would never have paid to have the Expedition parts replaced - I know how to paint. However, since it was a warranty issue, I let Ford handle it. Interstingly, the Expedition's frame is coated with a black "paint" that looks the same as the seat frames did when new. Despite being subjected to dirt, road sallt, water, etc, they look like new after a quick rinsing.

Ed

I have a 2003 Convertible, and it has similar problems. I suspect the rust is due to water and snow buildup when the top's down, or a leaky convertible top.

I've taken a few example pictures of the car:

I had the same on a 96 mustang coup... Windshield not completely sealed at bottom on drivers side.. Could hear a little wind noise. Not big enough leak to notice carpet wet.. Chuck