These used 2000s cars are pretty much fit for the scrapheap with their issues of rust and decay. Some can be fixed with new panels and filler but others have a terminal rust issue that will leave their vitals rotting away, making them unsafe to drive.

Related: 15 New Cars That Still Have Rust Issues

Despite these vehicles being released fairly recently, there's quite a wide range of 2000s vehicles that have rust problems nowadays. Some experience more rust than others, and with rust problems like these, we can see why some were recalled or simply end up at the junkyard.

10 Mazda 3

 2009 Mazda Mazda3
si-motors.co.uk

The Mazda 3 was launched in 2003 and the performance version was called the Mazdaspeed3 in the US. Its first generation was especially suffered from issues of rust. The Mazda 3 suffered from both surface-level rust and underbody rust, making it extremely prone to terminal damage. In colder climates, the vehicle has even higher levels of rust.

Related: 10 Best Mazda Models Of The Decade

 bad - mazda3 - carthrottle
via carthrottle.com

Despite later generations improving and Mazda attempting to deal with the rusting issues to an extent, the Mazda 3 still suffers from rust today. As such, these vehicles are beginning to decay rather rapidly.

9 Ford Focus

Ford Focus Second Generation Blue Front
Via Motor1

The second generation of the Ford Focus was launched in 2004 but does not represent the quality of the Focus that we are aware of now. The second-generation Ford Focus was renowned for rusting problems, which is a shame as the vehicle was excellent to drive and looked very smart.

Ford Focus Second Generation Silver
Via Wikipedia

One of the key areas in which rust forms in the Focus is around the side panels, not exactly ideal. A sad state of affairs, but Ford has managed to redeem itself with later (and more rust-proofed) Focus models.

8 Ford KA

 Ford KA Burgundy
via Driven To Write

The first generation of the Ford KA was released in 1996, with the second in 2008. Both were a pivotal vehicle throughout the 2000s, with the car selling well initially. Over time, however, issues were exemplified with corrosion being a big problem. There was an attempt to improve rusting on the StreetKA where the overall quality of the vehicle was improved.

Ford Ka Rusty
via Flikr

Despite general improvements in the StreetKA, the KA was bad for water retention. Selling well was an important part of the KA, with its cheap build costs, but sadly the rust issues make used models a minefield to navigate. The plastic panels were cheap to produce and looked cool but also collected a lot of water.

7 Mercedes SLK R170

Mercedes SLK (R170) Silver
Via Outstanding Classics

Mercedes had quite the problem with rust during the early 2000s, and many have complained about it. The R170, initially received in the late '90s, was given a facelift in 2000 that made rust a real issue. The facelift was designed to update some of the car's design features, including the bodywork. The car itself was meant to be a luxury vehicle, which is a let-down with the rusting problems which were common.

Mercedes SLK R170 Yellow
Via Wikiwand

The car was stylish, but rusty if the owner was not careful enough. Corrosion was prominent in the rear arches. The SLK R170 reflects what Mercedes speaks for, style, and driving stability, but the rusting lets the vehicle down.

6 Skoda Octavia

Skoda Octavia MK2 Silver
Via Carbuyer

The second generation of the Skoda Octavia was released in 2004. It was a fairly dependable car and improved on the first generation of Octavia. It was good value too, with the price being low for a good performing car. The Skoda brand succeeding in selling a car that was generally good, but still had a fair few problems - one of them being rust.

Skoda Octavia MK2 Silver With Trunk Open
Via New Car Net

Some owners have complained about rust on the passenger side and on the trunk too. The second generation has been known for this, with owners making use of their anti-rust warranty due to this. Another area is the rear arch which can gain quite a bit of rust over time. Disappointing for a good all-rounder in performance.

5 Ford Fiesta (Fifth Generation)

Ford Fiesta Fifth Generation Red
Via Arnold Clark

The fifth generation of the Ford Fiesta was an early 2000s vehicle which was updated to fit the new designs emerging around the same time. With great driving capabilities, the Fiesta was popular among the markets and there was added appeal with the new appearance and performances. Although, rust became a problem as time went on.

Related: 10 Best Ford Models Of The Decade

ord Fiesta Fifth Generation Blue With White Stripes
Via Still Running Strong

Prominent in the doors and sills, the rust on the vehicle is a problem alongside the back rear arches too. The repairs can be costly too, and later generations are appearing to have similar problems, with the newest vehicles also rusting.

4 Jeep Wrangler

 Jeep Wrangler Black
via Youtube

Released in 2006, the third generation of the Jeep Wrangler introduced a completely fresh design to the Wrangler with the body and chassis being updated. The Jeep Wrangler was a good drive and was a brilliant SUV for off-roading. Despite this, rust has been a problem with most Wranglers, with this generation showing how such problems occurred in the 2000s.

Jeep Wrangler Third Generation Orange/Red
Via Woodhouse

The Wrangler had issues with the body paint too, with it easily chipping away after off-roading. Rust, too, is a key part of the Wrangler experience is seems. It seems as though the Wrangler collects rust all over the vehicle, and depending on the off-roading location, rust on the vehicles will only get worse the more damp it is.

3 Ford Escort (Third Generation)

Ford Escort Third Generation US
Via Wikipedia

The Ford Escort, whilst initially released in its third generation in 1997, lasted in the US up until 2003. The model was a redesigned version of the Escort in Europe, and was offered also in a Sport version in 2000. The car was well received, but still many thought that it looked a tad cheap and it rusted, badly.

Ford Escort Third Generation US Silver
Via Wikipedia

Rust on the Escort appeared on the wheel arches and the sills, meaning that there are very few left nowadays as the Escort's third generation was not highly desirable by the consumer market. For such a successful car in Europe and elsewhere, it was disappointing for rust to built in a plentiful amount.

2 Saturn Relay

 Saturn Relay Front
via ZombieDrive

The Saturn Relay minivan was released in 2005. It was the first and only minivan made by Saturn and was pulled from production by the brand two years later. Simply put, the main reason that this was pulled was due to the huge issues of rust on the Relay. Despite being built for families, the Saturn was never big on consumers, and people didn't really take to it.

2007 Saturn Relay
via Top Speed

As a whole, the Saturn Relay was prone to rust hugely on the frame alongside issues with the bodywork where the paint was easily chipped. The Relay was replaced by the Outlook in 2007, which was reasonably successful - especially compared to the rusty Relay.

1 Mini Cooper

2002-Mini-Cooper
via bcqualityautosales

With the success of Mini's like the Mini Cooper S, the Mini Cooper in the 2000s was surprisingly rusty. With the iconic vehicle, it appears as though most Mini Coopers were prone to rusting a lot of the time. The increased use of plastic in the newer Mini designs created water traps that would let moisture in and would trap it. Also, one particular issue was with the plastic wheel arches which were extremely bad for rust in the Mini Cooper.

 Mini Cooper
via thecarconnection

Mini even knew it was a problem so much so that they offer rust warranty on vehicles registered in the 2000s. More updated Mini coopers released in recent years have been less prone to rusting issues, but still, rust remains to be a pervasive problem on the Mini's released in the 2000s.

Next: 15 SUVs Of the '00s That Are Notorious Rust Buckets