A class action lawsuit alleging Toyota switched to a soy-based covering for wires in its vehicles, which attracted rats and led them to eat through the wires, can proceed, a California federal judge ruled on May 11.
U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney said in the ruling that the court was bound by the Ninth Circuit’s previous findings in the case, which ruled that expressed warranty claims could progress, but California Unfair Competition Law claims remained dismissed, according to Law360.
Carney added that under the law of the case doctrine, a district court was prevented from reconsidering an issue that had been decided by the same or a higher court.
“To now dismiss plaintiffs’ implied warranty claims would contravene the circuit’s clear mandate and relitigate issues the Ninth Circuit decided either expressly or by necessary implication,” Carney wrote, adding it would be “improper” to allow the unfair competition claim to proceed after its dismissal by the Ninth Circuit.
The class action lawsuit was filed by 21 people whose vehicles were damaged by rats after Toyota switched to the soybean-based coating, and who allege the company refused to make repairs.
The case has been ongoing for five years, and in 2018 it was tossed out by U.S. District Court Judge Andrew J. Guilford, who said that the coating was a design defect not covered by express warranty, and the implied warranty could not be made to cover damage caused by “those pesky rats,” Law360 reports.
In August 2020, the Ninth Circuit revived the case saying that Guilford misidentified the rats as the problem, when the class action alleged that it was the soybean-based wired coating.
Jerusalem F. Beligan of Bisnar Chase LLP and Benjamin F. Johns of Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP, lawyers representing the group, told Law360 in a statement that they were pleased with the court’s decision, “which we view as being consistent with what the Ninth Circuit held when it revived some of our claims last year.”
The case isn’t the only class action lawsuit Toyota is facing. In March, a consumer filed a class action lawsuit against the company alleging that its popular SUV, the RAV4, was equipped with defective batteries for model years 2013 through 2018.
Have you ever had rats eat wiring inside your vehicle? Let us know in the comments section!
The plaintiffs are represented by Brian S. Kabateck and Anastasia K. Mazzella of Kabateck LLP; Brian D. Chase and Jerusalem F. Beligan of Bisnar Chase LLP; Benjamin F. Johns, Samantha E. Holbrook and Alex M. Kashurba of Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP; Robert B. Brown III of Pennekamp Law PA; and Scott C. Harris of Whitfield Bryson LLP.
Toyota is represented by Amir M. Nassihi, M. Kevin Underhill and Samantha Burnett of Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP.
The Toyota Soybean Wiring Class Action Lawsuit is Heber, et al. v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. et al., Case No. 8:16-cv-01525, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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593 thoughts onToyota Class Action Claiming Soy-Coated Wiring Attracts Vehicle-Damaging Rats Can Proceed
I just came from the dealership after having service for a recall on the passenger side airbag and was informed that the wiring harness has been damaged by mice and needs to be replaced to the tune of close to $2,000 which I do not have. I was told that there was a recall my friend of mine and just found this website. I would very much like to join any class action lawsuit that there is. With all these other complaints it just shows me that this is a major problem!
My wife has a 2019 Toyota Corolla that has been had wires in the wheel wells eaten by rats/rodents 3 times already. Dealership wanted to charge me over $10,000 for 1 time.
My 2010 corollaS was also damaged by rats/mice. If Toyota knew this issue its negligence since consumers were not informed at purchase
I have a 2016 Toyota Tundra the has significant wiring harness damage from rodents! My truck is at a large Toyota dealership where I purchased the truck brand new. It was towed to the dealership early July 2025. It is now the end of July with issues of the back ordered wiring harness. Was told originally the harness could be at the dealership between July 18, 2025 and July 28, 2025. Got an email today from dealership that the new expected arrival is August 18, 2025 to August 28, 25 with a low confidence level meaning the date could possibly change again and be pushed back. I am so frustrated! How can this be? I could use some feedback on what I can/should do. My insurance company is involved and covering the expenses except for my deductible.
My Toyota was hit 3 times with squirrel’s damaging by car
My 2016 Toyota Tundra’s front wiring harness has been chewed by rodents and has caused electrical issues with the truck. More than likely, the whole front wiring harness will have to be replaced. Cost, thousands of dollars? If it is replaced, what stops it from happening again? I haven’t contacted Toyota service yet because I just discovered it today. This isn’t right.
My 2024 Toyota Tundra Limited has been eaten from the air-box filter enclosures to the in cab air filter. I had the same thing happen to my 2023 Toyota Tacoma Trail edition and they also ate the beauty cover on top of the engine, the wiring harness, the firewall insulation and interior cab air filter. My insurance rates have more than doubled in 14 months because toyota’s focus is no longer building quality, but making profit from doing repairs and feeding hungry rodents with these products. I have a well sealed garage, with rodent traps, glue traps and poison baits and repellant aromatic sachets. Nothing stops them they’ve made a smorgasbord for rodents and this is the second truck in 14 months. The customer resolution center has been completely usless on both trucks. My insurance rates have doubled and it’s been a big mistake to buy these newer Toyotas.
I have a 2017 Toyota Tundra, and the wiring harness under the manifold was replaced do to mice at a cost of $650 . I just replaced it myself from parts I bought on ebay !! This is BS
I have a 2019 Toyota Tacoma 4wd. It has had damage by rats, 3 times. My Toyota dealership told me they would Do there do diligence to make sure it wouldn’t happen again. Yet, when I Ask if they used the rat tape as a deterrent.They said that they do not use it.And I was welcome to buy it myself and bring it to them.
I am getting ready to have my truck in the shop once again.Because the rats keep coming back. I would like to take part in any class action suit against the company For not having the fortitude to fix this problem once and for all..
I have a 2019 Toyota Tacoma 4wd. It has had damage by rats, 3 times. My Toyota dealership told me they would Do there do diligence to make sure it wouldn’t happen again. Yet, when I Ask if they used the rap tape as a deterrent.They said that they do not use it.And I was welcome to buy it myself and bring it to them.
I am getting ready to have my truck in the shop once again.Because the rats keep coming back. I would like to take part in any class action suit against the company For not having the fortitude to fix this problem once and for all..
We have a 2016 Toyota Tundra and have had the wiring harness chewed out by rats, twice. Not just once – had it repaired then it happened again 2 months later. Can we be involved in this class action?