Is this a rust issue?

[Fizzer600]

2015 FiST with 39k miles. Looks like the welds in the hatch are corroded or rusting? I can't really tell. Is this a serious issue or just purely cosmetic? Hard to tell if it is a rust issue or just due to poor paint from the factory.

 

[TyphoonFiST]

Yeap* Welcome to the club and to the Piss poor paint by FOMOCO!

 

[Fizzer600]

How big of a problem is this? Can it progress to the point where the car is unsafe to drive?

 

[D1JL]

As we all know, the Fiesta ST was primarily constructed by using parts from previous models to save money.
That rust was "Left-Over" inventory and you got some of it.

 

[remtodd]

Maybe surface rust only. It doesn't look too bad.

 

[DoomsdayMelody]

Maybe surface rust only. It doesn't look too bad.

Yeah, that's how rust always starts though.

How big of a problem is this? Can it progress to the point where the car is unsafe to drive?

Eventually, yes. Depending on your operating conditions that could be as far away from happening as a decade. If you're dailying it in the rust belt and putting on 20k miles annualy, I'd guesstimate you have 4-6 years before it becomes a significant issue. You could also talk to a body shop, but that would likely be out of your own pocket.

 

[EcoBoostN]

I'm pretty sure what you are looking at is not a weld, it's a type of bonding material (a type of glue) that joins those two pieces together. Might just try cleaning it up, should be good.

 

[Mike King]

2015 FiST with 39k miles. Looks like the welds in the hatch are corroded or rusting? I can't really tell. Is this a serious issue or just purely cosmetic? Hard to tell if it is a rust issue or just due to poor paint from the factory.

That looks like where the paint is coming off the flexible seam sealer.