The marine atmospheric corrosion behavior of 700L high-strength automotive beam steel exposed for 36 months was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electrochemical technology. The corrosion kinetics of 700L steel followed the exponential function: D = 4.85t^1.23. The rust layers were mainly composited of γ-FeOOH, α-FeOOH, γ-Fe₂O₃, and Fe₃O₄, regardless of the exposure duration. With an extended exposure time, the porosity, cracking, and spalling of the rust layers increased, and the densification and thickness uniformity decreased. Electrochemical measurements displayed that the corrosion resistance of the rusted 700L steel gradually decreased with increasing exposure time. A good correlation was found between rust layer composition, microstructure, and corrosion resistance.