corrosion warranty should cover that for sure. they'll just replace the corner

 

I wish it did cover it. But bumpers are not included apparently. Just body sheet metal. But it certainly doesn't look like "normal" rust to me as it clearly has bubbled up from behind the paint and in that one corner only.

 

your bumper is rusting from the inside out ... that's why the paint is flaking away. There is no apparent defect w/ the paint on the part we can see, but behind there something happened and it has now rusted through.

Even though it's a bumper, the apparent cause of what's happening could just as likely happen to a body panel ... so I would press the issue not as a "bumper" or "paint" issue, but rather as a sheet metal and/or body panel corrosion issue. It just looks to me that this is one of those issues where a "bad" dealer would lean on the "bumpers are excluded" clause, and a "good" dealer would be practical in his approach and realize that what's happening has nothing to do with it being a bumper, and try to take care of it under warranty.

 

As someone who repairs rust like this constantly, that is actually an a typical rust blister. 2010 so it's out of bumper to bumper warranty. Ford rust repair is 5 years, unlimited miles, only covers perforation. You say you have the esp plan, but that also does not cover surface rust, last time I checked.

Rust blisters like this can come from the tiniest of chips, and grow under your paint for years before they finally break through. When I repair hood chips at work, some that are no bigger than a speck of coarse metal flake can have a spot of rust under it about the size of your pinky nail. By the look and size of those scabs, they started under your paint at least 8 months to a year ago. You won't just randomly get a blister like this. Ptm bumpers are e-coated. And for that metal to rust, that coating has to be broken.

 

the good news is you can probably grab a bumper section from a junk yard, ptm, and throw it on. I believe those are pretty easy to swap, but dont quote me.

 

There's a guy in classifieds with both rear bumper sections. You should jump on it.

 

That's some great info and explanation. Thanks for posting this!

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. I am glad in a way that it's the bumper and not a door or other body panel as a bumper is easier to replace. I'll definitely consider all the options that have been suggested.

 

Haha, sorry it looked like a chrome bumper when I first glanced at the photo. With it being painted you can fix it a lot easier. Like others have stated, if it were me and I wanted a painted one like it was I would find one that's been pulled off. Check around places that install the heavier aftermarket replacements!

 

I see many fx4 around here with rusted bumpers. A bit concerning, as i have one on order