I took my 2011 F150 into the dealership for my first oil change(I bought the truck 5 months ago used). I end up getting photos sent to me about how rusty the truck is and how dangerous it is. It scared me and they said they don't want to work on it again because they don't want to be liable for anything. I immediately drove it to the dealership I bought it from and they looked at it and said it is all safe and just surface rust. How do I know who is right?

 

Looks like your lugs were hammered on too hard by an impact wielding idiot.
I'd replace the lugs.


The second picture is ok.

What a bunch of freaks at that dealer, must be a bunch of parts changers that only work on brand new stuff.

 

Where do you live that the dealership has never seen a little surface rust? Ridiculous. I wouldn't take it to those morons again.

 

^^^ this. Amazing. Maybe they were trying to scare you into buying a new truck from them?

 

That dealer is full of it, I had trucks with much worst rust then this and it was fine for a while.

Your truck isn't dangerous to drive.

 

Follow up question, are there benefits of cleaning up this surface rust? Best practice for doing that? My truck has about the same (maybe a little less) surface rust as OP and I want to clean her up for looks but also want to protect her, just have no idea how to begin. Thanks!

 

Simply spray a rust protector over top. This is normal practice here in Canada, most trucks have rust and most are rust proofed yearly.

 

Like Rustoleum? Should I wire brush and sand the parts first? I did that to the hitch area and it turned out great, just making sure this is an okay thing to do before I move onto more critical parts of the truck.

 

The way I do it:
1. Wire brush any accessible surface rust.
2. Clean said area with wax and grease remover.
3. Then a few coats of Rustoleum. Por15 is best but expensive.

I also did my Frame in the 96 with Duplicolor Bed Armor Truck Bed Coating and that seems to be holding up pretty good.

 

Ah okay I like those steps. Last question, is there any reason to fear the rustoleum may actually trap moisture inside? And if there is what's the best way to prevent that.