2021 Prime with less than 2000 miles. Noticed driver side left wheel slightly staggered late this evening. Removed wheel and noticed rust on the rear knuckle. Are the rear knuckles made of aluminum? Is it forged or welded together? Did not check the other knuckles yet. Concern in one area highlighted in yellow. Looks like a rust at the weld or crack. Hoping just surface rust. The 4Runners had surface rust at the knuckles but not this low in miles on the Prime.
Did your car already see salt on roads? If so, I am sure some rust starts early. I never looked at mine that early, but the photo below was taken on my 2017 PP at 27months (~30kmiles) before the third winter. The entire knuckle was covered by rust. I did not keep the car long enough to see how this rust developed. But in my area, no car lasts longer than 15 years without a rust problem. In our region of heavily salted roads, my expectation is that if the car lasts 10+ years without a rust problem causing major repair, it's good.
Brined and salted roads though never driven when it actually snows. It’s likely surface rust and the knuckle is probably made of cast iron.
Brings up memories of growing up in NY and watching the road go by through the rusted out floorboards. Good times!
