Rodent damage lawsuit

Rickmeister 48

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Scott_ATL

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Squirrels chewed through one of the wiring harnesses on my MIL's 2009(?) Kia Soul about two years ago. Can't remember if Kia or State Farm covered it, but one of them did and she wasn't out of pocket any money.
 

zroger73

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That's what comprehensive auto insurance is for. If this was a significant issue, insurance companies would be paying for rodent damage claims and suing automakers left and right. There was a discussion earlier this year on the Ridgeline Owner's Club about this issue. Here's Honda's response:

"It is a long established fact that rodents are drawn to chew on electrical wiring in homes, cars, or anywhere else where they may choose to nest.
Honda introduced a rodent-deterrent tape a few years ago to help combat this age-old issue for customers who live in areas where rodents have caused prior damage. Our attempt to provide some protection for our customers against this natural behavior should not lead to the assumption that Honda created the issue in the first place.

Further, Honda sources parts, including electrical wiring and wire harnesses, from several different suppliers who each have their own proprietary formula for wire insulation and wire harnesses. Honda has not received any confirmation from its various suppliers that the wiring insulation and harnesses used in Honda vehicles are soy-based, as the plaintiffs allege. Honda is not aware of studies or information indicating that any of the wiring insulation or other components used for Honda vehicles are derived from substances that attract rodents or increase their propensity to chew on wiring or other components in engine compartments. It is Honda's understanding that rodents may seek shelter in engine components and once inside, can cause damage as a natural result of their need to chew and use material that has been chewed for nesting. Honda is not aware of any information suggesting rodents use wire insulation as a food source."
- https://6abc.com/automotive/lawsuits-rodents-chewing-through-car-wires/2094944/
 

Schmullis

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It funny that someone would think that this is a manufacturer's issue. Did the manufacturer do testing to see if their rubber hoses and wiring harnesses would be attractive to rodents? This meets the definition of a frivolous lawsuit in an overly litigious environment.
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