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Two plaintiffs from Georgia are seeking compensation for rodent damage to their cars that they blame on Toyota soy wiring.
Plaintiffs Hueduc Tran and Bobby York claim the soy-based wiring insulation in certain Toyota vehicles attracts pests. Rodents and other animals chew through the insulation and into the wires inside, they claim, causing damage to the vehicle’s electrical systems.
The plaintiffs say sometime in the 2000s, environmental concerns and the increasing costs of petroleum products led Toyota to switch from using wiring with traditional petroleum-based insulation to newer products that used an insulation based on soy products.
But the new plant-based Toyota soy wiring is an apparent treat for vermin. Tran and York say the soy-based insulation sets up a “bed and breakfast” for rodents in each affected Toyota vehicle.
Tran says she bought a new Toyota Rav4 in July 2014. This past December, she says, she started having trouble getting the engine to start. Inspection by an authorized Toyota dealer revealed the vehicle’s wiring had been damaged by rodents, she says.
Tran allegedly had to pay out-of-pocket to get the damaged wires replaced – with the same type of wires that originally attracted pests.
York had a similar experience with his Toyota Highlander. After a warning light alerted him to a potential problem with the vehicle’s ABS brake system, an inspection revealed that rodents had chewed through a wiring harness.
The inspector told York that the damage could cause the electronic warning system from failing to alert him in case of a malfunction.
Tran and York are far from the only Toyota owners who have been affected by this alleged Toyota soy wiring problem. Many other owners have lodged complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the same problem.
Excerpts from some of those complaints are quoted in Tran and York’s Toyota soy wiring class action lawsuit. Owners say their dealerships denied warranty coverage of the defect, forcing them to pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for repairs.
Owners say they tried using repellent, poison, and storing the vehicle in a closed garage, but nothing seems to prevent further rodent damage. Some complainants mention that their insurance companies and their local Toyota dealership told them they were aware of a large number of claims of rodent-damaged vehicles.
Tran and York’s claims are similar to those in another Toyota soy wiring class action lawsuit brought in a Texas federal court late last fall. The plaintiff in that action says she has had significant problems with rats, squirrels and other pests chewing up the wiring in her 2015 Toyota Avalon.
Tran and York are proposing to represent a plaintiff Class consisting of all persons residing in Georgia who have owned or leased a “class vehicle” with the Toyota soy wiring at issue and who have incurred out-of-pocket expenses as a result of the alleged defect.
The two plaintiffs are seeking an award of damages and injunctive relief, including an order requiring Toyota to repair or replace vehicles affected by the Toyota soy wiring defect and to extend those vehicles warranties. They also seek reimbursement of costs and attorneys’ fees associated with this action.
Representing the plaintiffs is attorney Joseph Coomes of McConnell & Sneed LLC.
The Toyota Soy Wiring Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Hueduc Tran, et al. v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., Case No. 1:17-cv-00085, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
UPDATE: This Toyota Soy Wiring Defect class action lawsuit was dismissed at the request of the plaintiff on February 27, 2017.
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36 thoughts onToyota Class Action Says Soy Wiring Invites Rodent Damage to Vehicles
I have a 2009 Toyota Camry XLE 6 cylinder. My car’s wiring has been chewed by rats three times! This is a costly repair job! Please reissue the class action law suit for soy based wiring on Toyota vehicles. **Why would Toyota base their wires with soy anyway? Rodents love it!! Who do I contact to start this litigation again?
UPDATE: This Toyota Soy Wiring Defect class action lawsuit was dismissed at the request of the plaintiff on February 27, 2017.
I’m a resident of Chicago,Illinois and my 2014 Toyota Avalon is being repaired for chewed wires right now. $4000 a new harness or $400 to repair it. Like the other posts,it’s all out of pocket. So frustrated !!!
We have 2 prius’ and a Tacoma. All three have been invaded by rodents causing damage and expensive repairs. We have tried all manner of deterrence without effect. These vehicles’ wiring represents a very strong attractant that defies all preventive measures. Hopefully Toyota will make this right. We were ready to trade for new but are holding off due to this serious defect.
By chance do you know how I would go about joining the lawsuit?
Is there a chance customers will win?
Rodents have eaten my wires once. Toyota told me my vehicle was dangerous to drive since it was shaking. Over $500 later, I was told rodents ate my soybean wires. I placed rat traps and the rodents bit at the rat trap.
Now my new leather seated Toyota is goin to smell like moth balls. My mechanic suggested moth balls! Ruined the nice smell of my sequoia
I am paying 10,000 in damage in my new Toyota due to rodents eating through all the wires! Help!!!!
I would like to know if anyone know of any in VA. I have a 2012 Highlander and in 2015 I had a rodent eat though my wires and also left bones for another animal in the air filter. Having lived in the same house for over 50 years, we have never had it happen. One of my neighbors also has a Toyota and the same thing happened to him. It’s an expensive repair.
My 2017 LEXUS NX 200t Sport (Toyota parts) which I owned for 68 DAYS went haywire one morning, shaking, with all the warning light flashing and would not even roll…. We had it towed to the dealership and were told that rodents had completely eaten the wiring resulting in a repair bill of $4,500 for a new wiring harness. I have had a Lexus vehicle since 2004 in the same place, same house, same everything with absolutely no problems. The rodent(s) bypassed by husband’s truck and the golf cart to get to what I’m calling ‘rat crack’ which are these soy based products. This is ridiculous. This is a known problem but nothing was disclosed, nor was I given any type of counsel on how to avoid the problem. Something needs to be done because now I’m stuck with a car that will probably never run properly again plus a claim against my insurance and a $500 deductible out of pocket. Not a happy camper…
Jan 19, 2017, I drove 30mph to the dealership (20 miles) with the motor shaking the whole car because a mouse had chewed the wiring to the 3rd spindle. Once I arrived and the car had been inspected, damage included wiring to the motor and to the transmission. Toyota tried to tell us that my entire transmission would have to be replaced bc of the wire damage. Apparently, the wiring that leads to the transmission is being discontinued; therefore, they wanted to replace the entire transmission (and basically make a killing off of the customer or insurance company). Our insurance agreed to pay for damages but refused to pay for a transmission that only needed new wiring. After 2 weeks of Toyota and the insurance company going back and forth, we picked up our car and took it home. When we raised the hood, we discovered that the wiring to the motor had been fixed by reconnecting the wires and a 6″ piece of electrical tape held it together. They charged us for 3 hours of labor equaling $304. Luckily, after throwing a huge fit, they adjusted the price and only charged for one hour plus the diagnostic test. My husband ordered “mouse proof” tape online and wrapped the lines with hope that 1)it would prevent more mice damage, and 2) to finish the work of Toyota. My husband wrapped the wiring to the transmission and the car runs perfectly. (NO, we didn’t replace the transmission)
Last Friday, Feb 17, 2017, I took my car to Toyota for a routine oil change and discovered the mice were back. They have chewed through the “mouse proof” tape and are continuing to chew the plastic. We bought a radioactive mouse deterrent and place moth balls under the hood at night. Not only is this a HUGE inconvenience, but it’s more cost! Our 2009 Tahoe sits 4 feet from my Avalon and does not have any damage. Therefore, it’s hard for me to believe that rodent damage just happens.
I feel like Toyota is responsible for the damage and for fixing the problem. We are tempted to get rid of our car but not sure what company to go with bc it looks like everyone is trying to be environmentally friendly as well. I must say that the automakers have succeeded in sticking to the environmental products! (Oh the irony!)
I am open to suggestions about finding a solution. Do we contact our local Toyota GM? Do we file a law suit (don’t want to but I don’t feel like we should be responsible for the damages)? Do we trade the car for a different brand?
Open to all suggestions!!!!
In January 2017, I was charged over $600 dollars by the local Toyota dealership to replace the motor wire harness in my 2014 Tundra that was damaged by a rodent. I know for a fact the little bugger did the damage in one night. The dealership told me the same thing….no warranty coverage for the repair. The mechanic said “we see this all the time and you are lucky,… some Toyota owners are paying thousands of dollars in repairs caused by rodents.” I don’t feel lucky at all….. I am disgusted!!! Now I have to use all kinds of methods to protect my truck from further rodent damage in the future! This is just not right!
Does anyone have any additional information of class action lawsuits against Toyota in other states besides TX & GA? I have a 2016 Toyota RAV4 that was purchased through my mom’s life insurance policy after she passed. It was her request since i had been a caregiver for family the last 4 years with no income. I can’t afford or manage rodents, animals, or living beings destroying my vehicle in Southern CA Thank you
In Mar of 2017 I purchased a used converted (handycaped) Toyota Seinna. In May I had the dealer install a EZ-Lock and fix the door and ramp that was not working right. I had trouble with the ramp and door last wk of July. I again took it back for them to fix it. They called me and said I had mouse damage and I should call my insurance. The adjuster took one look at it and said it had to much damage to fix and TOTALED my car. I have been home bound since then waiting for insurance money which won’t be enough to get my another handycaped van. The other problem is I can’t go and look at vans unless I can take my electric wheel chair. By what I have read mice are eating a covering on wires that has a basis of soy product in it. What is my recourse? Julie