Lexus Class Action Alleges Soy-Based Electrical Wiring Attracts Vermin

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Toyota Motor Corporation is facing a class action lawsuit that alleges vermin are attracted to the “organic-based sheathing” used in the wiring of certain Lexus automobiles.

Plaintiffs Melinda Espineli and Mohammad Moghaddam file this class action lawsuit on behalf of themselves and all owners or lessees of any Lexus 2007-2017 RX, GX, ES, and LS models.

They allege that Toyota failed to inform them, and all those who purchased or leased these Lexus vehicles, that the electrical wiring is composed of or insulated with “biodegradable soy-based materials,” and as such, these materials are attracting vermin and rodents that chew through them.

The plaintiffs claim that “Lexus knew or should have known that the use of an organic- based sheathing on vehicle wiring components attracts vermin that cause significant damage to consumers’ vehicles.”

Moreover, the complaint states that “despite this knowledge, Lexus refuses to accept responsibility for the damage and routinely refuses to cover repairs. Instead, it places the onus on vehicle owners and lessees to pay for the repairs and confront potential vehicle malfunction and attendant safety hazards.”

Espineli and Moghaddam say they purchased a new 2017 Lexus RX350 from a dealership in Roseville, Calif. However, while driving, Moghaddam noticed a check engine light and an ABS light flash on. As he was approaching the freeway, Moghaddam says he was unable to speed up or accelerate beyond 20-25 miles per hour.

After visiting the dealership, the next day to discover what may have been happening to his vehicle, the service department allegedly notified him that the damage occurred because of a rodent infestation and that another vehicle had similarly suffered the same issue.

The repair invoice Moghaddam received was for $5,900, but when he requested that the repairs be covered by “Lexus Warranty,” they allegedly refused. The plaintiff asserts that had he known that the vehicles wiring was coated with a soy based material, he would have never purchased the vehicle.

According to the complaint, “Lexus intentionally misrepresented, either affirmatively or by omission, that its vehicles were free from defects, and took no action to adequately warn or remedy the defect, but instead concealed, suppressed, and failed to disclose the potential damage that could be caused by such materials defects.”

Moreover, despite the assertion that Lexus makes in that, “every Lexus is backed by a comprehensive warranty that should give you miles and miles of confidence,” such maintenance and repair information is inaccurate and does not correctly provide detail and information of risks incorporated in these Class vehicles.

Melinda Espineli and Mohammad Moghaddam are represented by William A. Kershaw, Stuart C. Talley, and Ian J. Barlow of Kershaw, Cook & Talley PC.

The Lexus Soy Wiring Class Action Lawsuit is Melinda Espineli and Mohammad Moghaddam v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. and Toyota Motor Corporation., Case No. 2:17-at-00356, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.