Westin side steps - DO NOT BUY !!!

[Halo777]

Westin side steps - DO NOT BUY !!!

I got my 2020 Rebel in the summer of 2020 and immediately purchased and installed Westin side skirts. After buying the truck, I drove it very little, especially in the winter. 18 months of ownership and I only have about 5000 miles on it, and most of that is from about a half dozen summer camping trips. In the winter I have probably driven it 500 miles total since new as I have been working from home.

After only about 6-7 months, they started to rust. There was a big patch near the passenger front door, where I rarely have a passenger up front. It surprised me because of the little use, and the truck was essentially still brand new at that point. Last summer I contacted AutoEQ about them, and was told I could send them back for a replacement under warranty. However, I told them this option wasnt going to work for me, as I dont have the box to ship them back and I cant go without side steps while I wait for a replacement. I asked them to please send me out a new set and then I will send the defective ones back in the box. I have waited months for them to confirm that they could do this, but they havent been able to help. They say Westin doesnt operate that way.

At this point, I am just going to order a new set and pay for them, and then send these pieces of crap back. This is a royal pain in the butt, and not what I expected at all when bought a product from Westin. I thought I was getting a quality product, but their stuff is complete garbage. I held back posting this public for months waiting for a suitable solution from Westin/AutoEQ, but it is clear they are unwilling to help.

Just a warning to stay away from pretty much all Westin products. They look amazing but they are crap, and they dont stand behind their product.

Sorry for the dirty truck pics, but it is -20c outside today and if I washed it then the water would freeze immediately.

 

[Jako]

Carid and Westin from me. Sent me an old model bed mat. Neither responded to emails.

 

[ferraiolo1]

I’ve never seen an non Oem step not do this after some winters, their coatings usually suck, and it’s usually around the welds.

You can take them to a local powder coater to have them properly done


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Halo777]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Lesson learned I guess.

 

[Le_Slacker]

My Westin steps have held out well so far
But I noticed that 6-ish months after I installed them one of the screws holding the steps to the bracket was missing. I emailed Westin asking if I could buy a handful of spares.
Mind you this was right at the start of COVID and I figure it may take time for an answer. I’m still waiting for that answer.
I did send a 2nd email 3-4 months later. And a 3rd after another 3-4 months.
I’m no longer expecting a reply.

I also sent an email for another product, looking for more info. No answer to that either.

My steps are good, no complaints. But support/sales emails are not a thing.

 

[Jako]

My Westin steps have held out well so far
But I noticed that 6-ish months after I installed them one of the screws holding the steps to the bracket was missing. I emailed Westin asking if I could buy a handful of spares.
Mind you this was right at the start of COVID and I figure it may take time for an answer. I’m still waiting for that answer.
I did send a 2nd email 3-4 months later. And a 3rd after another 3-4 months.
I’m no longer expecting a reply.

I also sent an email for another product, looking for more info. No answer to that either.

My steps are good, no complaints. But support/sales emails are not a thing.

Thanks for confirming my belief that people should not deal with Westin because of their "business model".

 

[vincentw56]

My HDX wheel to wheel are great. I went with the stainless powder coated black. I even caught one of the steps on a bollard and it did nothing to it except a little yellow paint transfer.

 

[LX Sport]

Was just looking at side steps and was thinking of going with a Westin product. Looks like my search continues!

 

[millerbjm]

I have had westin nerf bars on my rams since 2014 - first set on a 2014 that I traded in and then a set on my 2019 that I moved over to my 2021 when I upgraded. Mine were the 3" chrome tubular cheap ones. I live in MN where there is salt on the truck 5 months a year. I've been very happy with quality for such a cheap product. I haven't had any reason to interact interact with customer service from westin as I bought locally so the dealer would help me out if I had issues with the first set and then ordered from Amazon the 2nd time but everything g was as advertised.

 

[IndianaRam]

I always buy Westin bars for my trucks. I've had good and bad luck with them. My current set on my Ram starting rusting after the last winter. Still under warranty, I sent pictures to Westin and they sent me a new set for free. Haven't changed them out yet. I didn't have any problems with their customer service.

 

[Halo777]

Thanks for the responses. I have been dealing directly with AutoEQ and I specifically asked them for a replacement to be sent out. Maybe I need to contact Westin directly.

 

[Richard320]

Thanks for the responses. I have been dealing directly with AutoEQ and I specifically asked them for a replacement to be sent out. Maybe I need to contact Westin directly.

See what they say. Their main office is just over a mile from my house. If they tell you to pound sand, you could always send me the old ones and some night I could toss them through their window for you. Or through the windshield of the tricked-out Wrangler that's sometimes parked out front.

 

[SD Rebel]

Yup, that's common with most aftermarket running boards with painted or powder coated finishes over steel, when they flex, the finish will crack and allow water and then rust. Should you get a warranty and they send you another set, it will just happen again.

If you like them except for the rust, I would just remove them and have your local Line-X refinish them for you in bedliner.

 

[Halo777]

Thanks for the responses and advice. I just wanted to let you know that AutoEQ is doing what they can to help out.

 

[Darmichar]

Thanks for the responses. I have been dealing directly with AutoEQ and I specifically asked them for a replacement to be sent out. Maybe I need to contact Westin directly.

You do need to contact Westin directly. I had a set of steps (not Westin) I bought for my old Silverado do this and I sent essentially the images you have here to the Manufacturer and raised hell. They sent me a replacement set at no cost to me.

 

[Bob.]

Yup, that's common with most aftermarket running boards with painted or powder coated finishes over steel, when they flex, the finish will crack and allow water and then rust. Should you get a warranty and they send you another set, it will just happen again.

If you like them except for the rust, I would just remove them and have your local Line-X refinish them for you in bedliner.

Home cheapo sells rustolem bed liner coating. That would work well I'd think. Pick up a 1 1/2" brush and recoat them.

 

[Halo777]

AutoEQ sent out a replacement set, and I finally got around to removing the first side of the old ones. They have very limited mileage on them, but you can see they are rusting all over from the inside and out. This is after only about 18 months and 6000 miles.

 

[SD Rebel]

Yup, there is a reason why the OEM ones are aluminum.

I recommend before you install the new ones, that you get them bedlined, or it will just happen again.

 

[Halo777]

Thanks for the tip SD. Although I love the way they look and function, I am seriously considering not installing the new ones. I dont want to go through this crap again next year.

 

[NHjake98]

I had some Westin Outlaw steps that rusted after 18 months here in New England. I reached out to Westin and they sent me a new set within 2 weeks of my claim. I have to say it was a seamless experience.