Bought a 2016 S60 with 12k miles on it. Car originally was from Los Angeles and I live in Santa Cruz Ca in the mountains, not near the beach. First week went to vacuum out and found the driver's column coming up from the floor has rust on it. Pretty much the whole column has surface rust. Called the dealer and brought it in about a month later. They tried to tell me it was due to the ocean air but that can't be as it was there a week after I bought it.
They think it is just a cosmetic issue. But rust is not good...anyone have any ideas of how it got there? And what to do about it. I was wondering if the car could have been flooded? Appreciate any input..

 

if a car was flooded and had any insurance work done, it would have a salvage title (a Carfax report would show such info). Carfax would also show where the car was previously registered - as there's plenty of places in LA that are near the ocean. what makes me wonder is why do you have bare steel to pick up surface rusting?

 

Are you talking about the steering column?