Toyota Soy Wiring Recall – Scary Fact You Must Know

The Toyota soy wiring recall has been causing some concerns among owners. But not many people are aware of this.

What exactly does this soy wiring recall entail and why should it concern you?

Here is everything you should know about this lawsuit and what the possible effects it may have for you. Let’s dive right into it.

Toyota Soy Wiring Recall

There was a class action lawsuit that stated Toyota switched allegedly to a soy wiring in its vehicles. Now, this has been a cause of damage as it attracted rodents and led to damage as these creatures eat through the wiring. 

Twenty people filed this class action lawsuit, who were impacted by the damage as rats ate up the soybean coating of the wiring in their Toyota vehicles. Unfortunately, the company failed to cover the expenses caused by such damages.

Although this case has been continuing for the past five years, it was not thoroughly and rightfully addressed by the company. Moreover, the defect in the design was not included in the warranty. 

Unfortunately, it was not a single class action lawsuit faced by Toyota. In fact, there were other lawsuits filed against the company, particularly the RAV4 from the 2013 to 2018 model years. 

Based on the lawsuit, the soy-based wiring attracted rodents. Then, these animals chewed at these wirings, which then caused the vehicle to be unsafe to use. Among the cars that are allegedly made of soy wiring include the Prius, Camry, 4Runnner, and Highlander. There were also other car makes that have soy-based wiring such as Tesla, BMW, and Audi, to name a few.

In addition to the chewing by rodents, there were other issues linked with soy wiring. For instance, there were several function failures upon sustaining so much damage to the vehicle. This is why it has become prone to safety hazards.

Based on the class action lawsuit, this damage must be covered by warranty. However, the company failed to cover these problems because of the nature of damage, which is due to rodents. Furthermore, Toyota mentioned the fact that the damage was one of environmental conditions, thus it is not eligible under warranty for repairs by the company.

But the argument is based on the fact that the company did not rightfully notify the customers about this type of wiring used. This is why the lack of disclosure made them unaware of the potential issues that may arise over time. Hence, the plaintiffs argued that the company violated the consumer protection laws because of its failure to disclose to the public the nature of the wiring coating used in their vehicles.

There were also concerns about the company downplaying the wire damage incidents. This is why the court of appeals did not consider these complaints to be rather persuasive. There was also the argument based on the wiring defect not being an issue during the time these vehicles were acquired by the consumers.

The Dangers Of Toyota Soy Wiring

Soy wiring is quite edible by nature. This is why pests consider this as a suitable snack. Hence, it is not uncommon to find squirrels and rats making frequent trips right under the hood of your vehicle because of the soy-based coating on wires that they find particularly attractive.

Aside from animals chewing on the wiring’s coating, there were other health hazards involved. For instance, where there is a creature huddled up near the cabin air filter, it is possible for you to inhale some animal dander or excrement each time you turn your air filter on.

Rodents specifically prefer to defecate or urinate close to their habitat. So, when they live near your vehicle’s filter, it is inevitable for some infectious disease to become prevalent.

There are also many myths surrounding this particular attraction of rodents to soy wiring. For instance, it may be the electromagnetic signal that your vehicle gives off, which can be appealing to these animals.

Then, there is the theory that the wiring has similarity to branches, giving them an illusion as though they are chewing on precious wood. Hence, the wiring becomes chewed on and since the coating is made of soy, it is much easier to chew and become exposed to damage.

There are a few other animals that are very much attracted to wiring such as mice, which are small enough to fit easily into tiny holes. Rats are also quite voracious chewers that can leave a noticeable damage to your vehicle.

Chipmunks and squirrels are also some other pests to deal with. They love to stay in a warm place where they can take refuge. With their small size, they can definitely fit easily in your engine compartment.

And lastly, there are larger animals such as groundhogs and woodchucks that can make their way under the hood, chew on the coating of your wiring and cause significant damage over time.

Read More: 2020 Toyota Camry Battery Drain Problem And How To Fix it

Bottom Line

With all these things in mind, it is safe to say that these vehicles with soy wiring coating can be a safety hazard when pests start to wreak havoc to these critical parts of your car.

Thus, it may be best to consider the pros and cons before buying such vehicles known to have soy-based coating for the wiring and make sure you are aware of the potential consequences. 

Damages can most definitely arise over time, which is why it is important to stay proactive to prevent these from happening in the first place. Then, you can avoid any headaches linked with lawsuits or massive repair costs when your wiring has been chewed on by these pests.