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A new class action lawsuit claims thousands of Toyota cars, trucks and SUVs are defective because they contain soy wiring materials that are very attractive to rodents, resulting in costly repairs for their owners.
Plaintiff Heidi Browder says she’s been battling rodent damage under her 2015 Toyota Avalon which she attributes to soy-based wiring materials.
The lawsuit, which requests class action status on behalf of thousands of Toyota owners nationwide, claims the automaker recently switched the materials used to protect wiring inside the electrical systems of its vehicles.
Instead of using plastic or glass-based insulation derived from petroleum, the lawsuit claims Toyota now uses a soy-based wiring material that is promoted as more environmentally-friendly.
While soy-based wiring may be better for the environment, Browder says it also baits rodents and animals – including rats, squirrels, and other pests – to the vehicles and entices them to chew through, eat, or otherwise damage and compromise vehicles’ wiring and wiring insulation.
Browder first started experiencing problems last month when she allegedly tried starting her Toyota Avalon multiple times without any luck. She lifted the hood of the car and reportedly observed a rodent scurry across the top of the engine. Browder says she also observed damage to the wires under the hood and had her vehicle towed to a Toyota dealership.
A couple hours later, a Toyota service technician reported to Browder that there was rodent damage to her car and instructed her to contact her insurance company to see if they would cover the rodent damage. The technician indicated that the damage would cost between $5,600 to $6,000 to repair.
Browder contacted her insurance carrier and after paying a $500 deductible, the vehicle was repaired under her insurance. She then proceeded to inquire if the rodent damage was covered under Toyota’s warranty, but was told by a Toyota service representative that it was not covered because “any outside source of damage to the car” is not covered. The service rep also allegedly stated that rodent damage is “not uncommon” and the rodent damage “happens a lot” with Toyota vehicles.
This prompted to Browder to review her warranty which essentially states coverage is excluded for “airborne chemicals, tree sap, road debris, rail dust, salt, hail, floods, wind storms, lightening, and other environmental conditions.”
Browder points to numerous complaints posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website and other consumer sources which reveal rodents are uniquely attracted to the soy materials in the Toyota vehicles.
Yet despite the fact that Toyota is aware or should be aware of the issue with the soy wiring, it refuses to cover repairs for these vehicles, leaving consumers with little options except to pay for costly repairs out-of-pocket.
But Browder contends that Toyota’s warranty should cover customer repairs since the damage caused by the rodents or other animals chewing on the soy wiring is not an “other environmental condition.”
The lawsuit seeks recovery for monetary and equitable relief for Toyota’s breach of warranty, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and violations of Texas’ consumer protection laws. Browder also seeks recovery based upon Toyota’s unjust enrichment, and declaratory relief.
Browder and the proposed Class are represented by Cory S. Fein of Cory S. Fein PC.
The Toyota Soy Wiring Class Action Lawsuit is Browder v. Toyota Motor Corporation, et al., Case No. 3:16-cv-03387, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division.
UPDATE: This Toyota Soy Wiring class action lawsuit was dismissed at the request of the plaintiff on February 7, 2017.
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62 thoughts onToyota Class Action Says Soy Wiring Attracts Rodents
yep just had my wiring chewed 2016 toyota doi keep or yrade in. does th4 soy smell disapait? plus i own another toyota waiting for a new airbag. i want to join class action. toyota is not upfront cant admit mistake. lostmy respect.
Happend to my 4runner 3times in 3 months
We also have a 2016 Rav 4
u can avoid all of this buy simply putting CHEEZE in your vehicle truck area so u can feed all the mouses and river frogs, and once full they will stop gnawing at your electrical wiring
I own all toyota’s 3 of them, now I am worried
I had mice chew through all the wiring in
My dash causing over three thousand dollars in wiring repairs just to get my trunk to open on my 2007 Lexus es350. I have battled mice only to this car while my Mercedes sits right next to my Lexus and not one mouse ever found. I have to put glue traps around my car at night and they never get trapped by the Mercedes I want to know if Lexus cars are able to be part of this.
Also have a 98 Toyota Camery that had a nest under the inside of the wall of the head light I also have a 2013 just wondering if it’s included
I just bought a 2016 Toyota Highlander. ..does it affect the new cars yoo. I would like to know more. I also owned a Toyota 4 Runner years back and had a similar problem of animals always under hood. Never understood reason why. Plse advise
I have a 2011 Toyota Camry. Found rat nesting in my cabin filter. I jad to replace it. Was chewed up
I had a brand new 2002 Toyota Camry XLE , left it at the airport for 10 days while vacationing, came back, car didn’t start, had it towed, after inspection, rodents ate the wiring. Had to pay for repairs out of my own pocket. Just traded it in last year. I would like to know more about this action suit.