Who else’s new RAM looks like this underneath?

[JD300WM]

Latest update: I kept having an uneasy feeling about having the rear axle assembly swapped out on my brand new truck due to fear of going from cosmetic issues to mechanical issues. I reached out to a recently retired CDJR mechanic with decades of experience with my concerns and he told me that my gut feeling was right and not to have the axle housing swapped out because there’s more of a chance of my fears coming true than not. I contacted the service manager and the dealer and spoke to him about an alternative. He gave me the number to RAM(which was a RAM care rep) who said that they don’t handle these types of things, but put me on hold while she contacted the service manager. As of right now I’m waiting to hear back from someone. I would prefer to take it to a custom paint shop and have them mask everything off and paint/coat it while still in the truck. I have an appt for an estimate Saturday at such a place that is local to me.

 

[Every20years]

Really hope Ram covers the cost. Frankly I would think the paint option would be cheaper than the mechanical one. Been raining the last two days so I was able to go real under my truck today. Happy to say it looks like it’s supposed to underneath.

 

[5thGenLoco]

Blame Ram and blame the dealer. The dealers are paid by manufacturers to inspect and prep the vehicles for delivery. Part of that inspection should involve putting the vehicle up on a lift to be sure all is within specs. The selling dealer either didn't inspect the underside of the vehicle, or their technician believed something like this was acceptable.

I worked at a dealership and performed a ton of pdi (pre-delivery inspection) and they never went on the rack. Fluids, function, check for damage, short test drive, make it pretty, put it on the lot.

 

[JD300WM]

UPDATE:
There is none. It’s been a week or so since I spoke to the service manager at the dealer. He was trying to convince me that there’d be no issuers if I I let them swap axle housings. My gut feeling says otherwise. After speaking with 2 CDJR mechanics and a parts manager from different dealers, my gut feeling seems to have merit. All 3 of them advised against having that done. They agree...why would I want to trade a cosmetic problem for probable mechanical problems that I don’t have? I would like to get the destination fee back and take it somewhere to have the axle housing painted while still in the truck.

 

[Reid Martin]

Did you ever have this fixed? If so what was the outcome? My truck was built in December 2021 and has a similar issue, but not as bad as yours. Around the bolts is already rusting and I’ve only had it one month and about 800 miles. I noticed it when I crawled under to look at installing side steps.

 

[jives]

We have two 2020 Rams in the family. I had the same thing on the Lone Star but the Laramie was and is still perfect. I purchased two cans of Rustoleum high temp black paint and a ton of fluid film. I hit the entire rear end with a wire brush and then went to town with the spray paint. A day later I hit it all, as well as the entire undercarriage, with Fluid Film. It looked better than new after that and has held up like new. This is the first Ram I’ve ever had look like that in 35 years of Ram ownership. Damned shame but all is fine now.

Maybe there is a new product but in my prior experience fluid film wants to be on bare metal not painted surfaces?

 

[Jflyer]

Any update on this issue. I have a used 2020 Ram 1500 Bighorn and just my luck I have the same issue. Looks pretty bad here we get salt snow the works. Anyone have advice on how to keep the rust from spreading? Any idea on how much it would cost to replace the rear axle lol.

 

[mikeru82]

Any update on this issue. I have a used 2020 Ram 1500 Bighorn and just my luck I have the same issue. Looks pretty bad here we get salt snow the works. Anyone have advice on how to keep the rust from spreading? Any idea on how much it would cost to replace the rear axle lol. View attachment 127011

No need to replace the rear axle housing. That's all surface rust. It really won't hurt anything. It would take 100 years to rust through and cause any issues. If you're that concerned about the looks you can sand out the rust and repaint it.

 

[Biga]

I looked under my truck yesterday, 4 southern Ohio winters and it still looks new. I was really surprised but I have been good about spraying the underside off every couple weeks during the winter and I think it has paid off.