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On Monday, Hyundai Motor America was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging some of the vehicles it manufactures and sells contain defective soy-based materials that attract rodents and other animals that chew through the vehicles’ wiring and engine components.
Plaintiff Michelle Martinez alleges the defective soy-based components are included in model year 2013-2016 Hyundai Veloster, Accent, Azera, Elantra, Equus, Genesis Coupe, Santa Fe, Sonata and Tuscon vehicles.
According to the Hyundai class action lawsuit, the defect makes the affected vehicles unsafe and causes issues such as inoperative air bags, impaired steering and braking performance, loss of electrical systems, and engine failure.
In recent years, Martinez alleges, some vehicle manufacturers have replaced the insulation covering vehicles’ wiring with soy-based insulators instead of plastic-based insulators, and have used soy-based materials to construct other vehicle components. The soy coatings were supposedly bio-degradable and intended to be more environmentally friendly than the petroleum-based plastic coatings.
Martinez claims that her 2015 Hyundai Veloster has been damaged on two occasions when vermin chewed the soy-based components in the vehicle. According to the Hyundai class action lawsuit, she was charged $250 for each repair and Hyundai refused to cover the alleged defect under the vehicle’s warranty, although the second repair was reportedly paid for with reward points as a goodwill gesture to Martinez.
The Hyundai class action lawsuit alleges Hyundai knew or should have known about the alleged soy-based materials defect since at least 2013 but has actively concealed the defect and failed to warn consumers about it.
According to the Hyundai class action lawsuit, the alleged defect was the subject of a television newscast in Cleveland in August 2013, which reported about car owners across the United States whose vehicles had soy-based wiring coatings that had been chewed by rodents. In addition, numerous online complaints have allegedly been posted by Hyundai owners who experienced vehicle damage after rodents chewed the soy-based materials.
When consumers bring their vehicles to Hyundai to repair a vehicle with components that have been chewed by animals, Hyundai allegedly denies the existence of the defect and refuses to cover the repairs under the vehicle’s warranty. Instead, the motor company replaces the damaged soy-based materials with identical soy-based materials and charges consumers for the repairs.
“By doing so, Hyundai has effectively transformed the Defect into a profit center,” Martinez argues in the Hyundai class action lawsuit.
Martinez asserts she would not have purchased or leased the vehicle, or she would have paid less for it, if she had known the vehicle contained soy-based materials that attract animals that can cause serious damage and render the vehicle unsafe.
She asserts claims under the Declaratory Judgment Act, breach of express warranty, violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, breach of implied warranty, violations of California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act and Unfair Competition Law.
The Hyundai class action lawsuit seeks declaratory relief, injunctive relief, damages and restitution.
Martinez is represented by Kolin C. Tang, James C. Shah and Natalie Finkelman Bennett of Shepherd Finkelman Miller & Shah LLP, Jeffrey Goldenberg of Goldenberg Schneider LPA, and Robert W. Murphy.
The Hyundai Soy-Based Materials Class Action Lawsuit is Michelle Martinez v. Hyundai Motor America, Case No. 8:17-cv-01278, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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119 thoughts onHyundai Class Action Alleges Soy-Based Materials Attract Rodents
Have a 2021 Santa Fe — I had to pay almost $200 to get the front part of my windshield wash system repaired and they advised rodents had chewed the wiring from the front to the back. I left the back part on hold because they advised that would be $1150 to repair due to all they would have to do to get to the area and replace the parts which is totally ridiculous!! I am glad I googled this issue because I was trying to figure out what I had done wrong as I keep my vehicle in the garage at all times when I’m home but if you have something attracting the critters it could happen anywhere anytime you park:(
My 2022 tuscon is at the dealership now cause rodents chewed through a harness wire causing my horn not to work. It’s costing me 400$. I am so not happy with Hyundai , cause I did not know the wires are soy based and basically a attraction to rodents. I bought this car to drive my new grandson around and after reading all the problems that can occur with this type of wire I am not feeling safe in this vehicle . I wish I could get my money back .
My 2022 Tucson is at the dealership for over almost two weeks now. It had to be towed from my home because of the harness wire chewed away and fluids leaking, my brakes not working properly, and all of my caution ⚠️ lights and alarms were going off. I thought the truck was going to blow up or something with me inside. Now I have a bill almost $6000 for my insurance to pay and I have to pay my deductible plus whatever else they charge. This is a RIPOFF TO THE CUSTOMERS!!!
I have a 2022 Tuscon that is in the dealership now because rodents ate the wiring harness damaging catalytic converter, o2 sensor, and wiring harness. Waiting on insurance claim for about $8000.
I have a 2019 sonata and was told rodents chewed through my wiring harness. The service dept told me this is common with the cars because of the soy based wiring and not covered under warranty. If I picked up my vehicle from the shop and drove it at all they would void my entire cars warranty. So I could have it towed home until I could cover the $1200 service to replace or leave it there. If a suit comes to fruition, please include me! I am afraid to even drive my vehicle to work anymore for fear of this happening again!
I have a 2018 Hyundai ioniq plug in that is in frank hyundai dealership now and they want over $6000 to replace the rodent chewed wiring harness. I know the Martinez lawsuit was for older cars and I was wondering if there is a lawsuit that includes 2018 models. If there isn’t a lawsuit, there needs to be. These soy based wiring harnesses attract rodents and many makes and models are affected. It’s a form of profit for manufacturers (like a consumable, they replace with the same high cost soy product). The chewed wires puts consumers at risk. Someone could die if their airbag, steering or brakes stop functioning because of the poor design. They must correct this flaw instead of denying it and profiting from it.
2023 Genesis G70
This is the second time that the dealership claims that rodents have got into my car and chewed on the wires causing for the front sensors fail to operate. The first time, my insurance paid but my premiums increased. This time, I will get them to buy the car. This is ridiculous!
Ugh I feel your pain!
I currently have my Santa Cruz that only has 9000 miles on it at the dealership shop. They are claiming the same thing and not covered by warranty! I’m having buyers remorse and want a refund!!
I purchased new Hyundai Elantra SEL 2023 model in August 2022. I was driving on highway after rain storm and windows were dirty from the truck in front of me. I tried to clean windows but no water came out. When I arrived home I opened hood and filled water tank. Water came out of the tank. I went to Napleton Hyundai, Lake Park, FL. who confirmed hose eaten by rodent and not covered under warranty. I was charged $262.43 I learned that 2 residents in my apartment building had wires eaten in their Hyundai’s. Hyundai is using products that attract rodents. Please help me. Is there class action lawsuit I can join or initiate?
I am experiencing the same problem! A rat was living in my engine, died, and I had to pay to get the body (full of maggots) removed. The smell is atrocious. It bit through wires. My air conditioner no longer works. I’m told it possibly ate through other wires. The extent of the damage is unknown. I would have to pay to have my engine removed and taken apart to know that extent
Hi, I am experiencing the same problem of rodents eating through our wiring.
My Hundai Tyson has the very same problem!
My 2023 Sonata with LESS THAN 600 miles on it is in for repairs right now because a RODENT CHEWED THROUGH WIRES. They are not going to even replace, they are planning to solder it and of course this is NOT covered and will cost we $350 to solder it. This is INSANE.
I have a 2021 Sonata and I am dealing with the same issue. To top it off there are supply chain issues with the manufacturer with no ETA on the replacement soy part. Not sure how I can keep this from happening again as I don’t have use of a garage.
My 2016 Tucson has now had wire damaged caused by rodents 3X since March of this year … is the suit still active?
I have the same issue with my car same model. This is twice since last year! I’m so upset.