2023-2025 Toyota Vehicles Iron Particle Rust Contamination Repair

Symptoms of Iron Particle Rust Contamination

Vehicles may experience contamination from airborne iron particles originating from sources like railroad tracks, train wheels, heavy machinery, grinding, or welding. This contamination manifests as "small, red or brown particles on the paint surface." While these particles can be difficult to spot on dark-colored paint, they can often be easily felt by brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. If you notice this on your Toyota Camry iron particle rust may be the cause.

Important Warnings and Precautions

Toyota outlines several critical warnings for both technicians and owners regarding the iron particle rust contamination repair:

• Corrosive Material: Meguiar's D2002 Iron Removing Spray Clay (or equivalent) is a corrosive material. Appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) MUST be worn to protect individuals performing the contamination removal procedure. Always refer to the precautions on the product label prior to use.
• Environmental Conditions: Under NO circumstances should contamination removal be performed in direct sunlight or allowed to dry on vehicle surfaces. Doing so may result in staining of plastic, rubber, or painted parts.
• Avoid Polishing or Buffing: Because of the abrasive nature of these small iron particles, polishing or buffing procedures should NOT be attempted to repair the paint surface of an affected vehicle. This will result in further paint damage and detract from the vehicle's appearance.
• Disposal: Consult local or state regulations regarding the handling, use, and disposal of Meguiar's D2002 Iron Removing Spray Clay (or equivalent) prior to use.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair for iron particle rust contamination involves a multi-step cleaning process:

1. Preparation: Move the vehicle out of direct sunlight to prevent premature drying of cleaning solutions.
2. Initial Rinse & Wash: Rinse the vehicle with cool water, then wash it with a liquid car wash detergent. Rinse again thoroughly with cool water.
3. Cleaner Dilution: Dilute the Meguiar's D2002 Iron Removing Spray Clay (or equivalent) concentrate with water to achieve a 1:8 ratio for painted surfaces. It's crucial to use the recommended dilution ratio when applying to any other surface.
4. Application & Agitation: Apply the diluted cleaner evenly over the affected areas. Use an appropriate mitt or sponge to agitate the surface, ensuring thorough contact with the contaminants.
5. Final Rinse & Inspection: Thoroughly rinse the vehicle with cool water. Carefully inspect the vehicle both visually and by feel to ensure all iron particles have been removed. If necessary, repeat the wash several times to achieve complete removal.
6. Finishing: Dry the vehicle with a soft terry cloth towel. For a high-gloss finish, apply a non-abrasive, non-silicone glaze.

Required Tools or Parts

To perform the iron particle rust contamination repair, the following tools and materials are required:

• Meguiar's D2002 Iron Removing Spray Clay (or Equivalent) - Quantity: 1
• Rubber Gloves, Aprons, Boots - Quantity: As Needed
• Eye Protection - Quantity: As Needed
• Sponges or Wash Mitts - Quantity: As Needed
• Pail or Bucket - Quantity: As Needed

Owner Action

If you notice "small, red or brown particles on the paint surface" of your 2023-2025 Toyota vehicle, indicating iron particle rust contamination, you can follow the detailed repair procedure outlined in this bulletin. However, due to the corrosive nature of the cleaning product and the specific steps involved, some owners may prefer to have this service performed by a qualified technician. This repair is generally considered a maintenance item and is "Not Applicable to Warranty."

This bulletin, T-SB-0062-23 Rev2, supersedes Service Bulletin No. TS-PA005-04. The information has been updated to include all 2025 model year Toyota vehicles, including the 2025 RAV4 PHV, and specifically addresses the Toyota Camry iron particle rust issue among others.

Source: NHTSA ID 11012727