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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.
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116 thoughts onLexus Class Action Alleges Soy-Based Electrical Wiring Attracts Vermin
Happened to me twice. How do I get involved with the class action lawsuit?
My 2020 RX350L was just repaired by the dealership near me. The total cost for the rodent damage was over $4,000. I picked my car up on 7/9/22 and less than 72 hours later, I drove my car to an appointment and all sorts of check engine and malfunction indicators came on. Went to the dealership and three hours later I was told I have new rodent damage and it will cost well over another $1000 which is my deductible; the Lexus rep. found it necessary this damage is no fault of their own. I have lived at my house for nearly 20 years and I have never had this happen to any of my vehicles until now. We have always had rodents in our neighborhood; this is nothing new. It’s also interesting that in the two weeks my car was at the dealership a total of four vehicles were parked in the same spot or adjacent to where I park my Lexus and not one of them suffered any rodent damage or any signs of rodents. Until I saw this website, I believed Lexus must have applied bacon grease (or similar) to the engine dept of my car. Soy based wire coverings makes complete sense.
I definitely would like to be part of this class action lawsuit. If this did not exist, I’d be starting my own.
Twice happened to my 2018 ex 350. $2600 & $350 for wiring and fuel lines… I want in the class action!
I bought my 1921 Lexus in March 2021 and kept in the garage. It has only 356 miles since have another car for every day use. Today, we decided to use it for a long drive but after starting, check engine and other warning lites showed up on the dashboard. Further inspection rindicates that rodents chewed several wires and plastic covers. I want in the class action lawsuit,
My 2022 RX350 with only 6623 miles is still (full week)in the dealership to repair the knock sensor engine harness due to rodent damage that is not covered by Lexus. My service representative has stated that Lexus has a kit
they developed to make it difficult for rodents to have access to the tasty coated wires. My repairs totaled $1440.75. I want to be part of the class action suit.
Please tell me how to get involved with this class action law suit. Animals ate my 2022 RX350 wiring twice when my car was only a few months old. Please tell me how to get attached to this suit.
I have a 2017 Lexus RX 350 and I had to file a claim with my insurance for 10 grand because of the soy wiring. How do I join this class action suit?
Lexus 2013 460 wiring chewed by rodent. My car would not run stayed in limp mode $2,600.00 already paid and there is still damage being discovered total damage cost is still unknown.
700 dollars to fix our wiring for our Lexas still under warranty.
I just bout a 2022 Lexus GX460 6 weeks ago and this happened to me! Please include me. I’m livid.
I got a 2008 ES 350 please include me on said lawsuit.
This is also happening two time to my lx570 2018 and one time to gx470 2007 do you think both of this model can be in the same action lawsuit?