This has been an issue since 2015. They are going cheap when coating them. I saw a 2020 f150 platinum on the showroom floor with the diff cover already covered on surface rust. My 2015 f150 5.0 had surface rust when I bought it but I love the truck and it’s performed well for me. Realize Ford is ditching combustion engine and going electric so their motors for transits and f150 and such the focus and funds just isn’t there anymore. The only newer Ford I’d drive for now is Super duty with a gas or diesel motor. ALL “US” manufacturers will follow and overall quality is not there anymore and really hasn’t been for awhile. Americans don’t care for longevity they care about safety and fuel efficiency while getting as much power as possible. Having the latest and greatest so you can have a one up on your neighbor that’s what some Americans are about. So that’s what Ford, GM and FCA make. The funny thing is even with all these cut corners all the manufacturers make we still are buying these vehicles its crazy. 

Ford was already in the drain.

It's pretty normal for those parts you mention to rust because they are naked steel. And raw exposed steel can flash rust in a matter of minutes. Especially if it's humid, or the cars/parts travelled by sea. I bet you these vehicles were sitting somewhere for a long time waiting for ECMs and other electronics.

That being said, I don't get my panties in a bunch about light films of rust because it will get 10x as bad after a few months of driving around here.

Yes, unfortunately it is. Was the car sitting on a lot before you purchased it?

Ford and quality don't belong in the same sentence anymore.

Well, that's "normal" to everyone cause of Ford quality. I heard the same rumor TFL from Youtube owns a 2021 Ford F150. It already have surface rust. So same story for everyone who owns a Ford vehicle.