Auto Parts: rotors and pads rusted, friction pad, rust damage

Question
i have a 2006 chevy trailblazer that i bought in 2006 with under 20,000 miles on it when i bought it.  it no has about 40,000 miles on it.  i just recently had to have the front rotors and front pads replaced because of rust damage.  Is this common that these parts would have to be replaced so soon because of rust on a fairly new car with little miles on it? - thanks, rachel

Answer
I would hope they told you more than that.  The actual friction pad itself WILL NOT RUST.  

Do you drive the vehicle frequently?  The only way I see rust being a problem is if you did NOT drive the vehicle for an extended period of time (many months) and maybe the surface of the rotors were so rusted that they actually pitted and were ruined.  

If you drive the vehicle on a frequent basis, I see NO reason why the rotors and pads had to be replaced due to "rust".  

Even if your rotors have a little bit of surface rust on them (and I've seen this after just washing a vehicle and letting it sit overnight), the pads will scrub that away the first time you apply your brakes.  The ONLY place that typically rusts a little bit (normal) is the outter edge of the rotor, but that's not a factor for braking because your pads never touch that area anyway.

Unless you didn't get the full story from your mechanic(s), I think you got ripped.