Subaru Crosstrek Owners Manual: Most common causes of corrosion

The most common causes of corrosion are:

• The accumulation of moisture retaining dirt and debris in body panel sections, cavities, and other areas.
• Damage to paint and other protective coatings caused by gravel and stone chips or minor accidents.
• Corrosion is accelerated on the vehicle when:
• It is exposed to road salt or dust control chemicals, or used in coastal areas where there is more salt in the air, or in areas where there is considerable industrial pollution.
• It is driven in areas of high humidity, especially when temperatures range just above freezing.
• Dampness in certain parts of the vehicle remains for a long time, even though other parts of the vehicle may be dry.
• High temperatures will cause corrosion to parts of the vehicle which cannot dry quickly due to lack of proper ventilation.