To make cars more eco-friendly, many automakers have started making more and more automotive parts out of renewable materials. Among the most prominent is the use of soy based wiring, which some cars have begun adopting almost entirely. However, there has been one unforeseen and negative side effect of this change, which is the rodent infestation that followed.
Soy, being an edible material, has been incredibly effective at attracting rodents of all kinds – from mice to squirrels and even possums – to then chew on your car’s wires. As you can imagine, this can cause serious problems for your car, such as causing short-circuiting or entire electrical and electronic systems to fail entirely, alongside thousands of dollars worth of damages.
Why Use Soy Based Wiring In Cars?
The use of soy in making car components is nothing new. Ford has been making seats from soybean-based foam for over a decade now. Ford also chose soy instead of petroleum for their wire insulation. However, some owners ran into unforeseen issues when little furry vermin found their way inside the cars and began chewing away at the edible insulation.
Edible by nature, soy wiring is something pets love for a snack or dinner. As a result, rats and squirrels started making regular trips under the hood. With oil-based car parts thrown out of the mix, it seems as if consumers have to live in constant fear of having their car’s wiring chewed up by rats. Nevertheless, the widespread adoption of soy based wiring in cars continued.
Up until about 10 years ago, most car companies used petroleum-based wiring insulations. Nests could be an issue alone but with the introduction of brand new soy-based wire insulation, the market wanted to achieve two things: 1) it would be much cheaper for the automakers, and 2) as it used soy rather than oil, it was inadvertently better for the environment.
Why Do Rodents Love Nesting In Cars?
Rodent nesting in vehicles isn’t particularly a new problem in the world of automobiles. Animals tend to live in and take shelter in vehicles more often than you may think, especially in the winter. With the dreary blanket of winter settling in, the weather gets much too cold for the local wildlife’s comfort. As such, they then seek warmer pastures elsewhere.
Under these circumstances, the warm insulation from your car is the perfect abode for the night for them. Interestingly enough, most folks have stories of how they found animals hidden in the engine bay. When you take a look inside the hood of your car, and you find damaged, frayed, or broken wires, it’s indicative of one thing; rodents calling your car home.
Is This A Serious Health Hazard?
Another worrying factor is the health hazards. If the animal is huddled up anywhere close to the cabin air filter, you will get a whiff of animal excrement and dander every time you turn the air up. Mice and rats like to urinate and defecate close to home. With one living near the filter, it’s safe to say that you are simply passing all the dirt to the inside of the car.
That’s the perfect way to spread an airborne disease. If you want to know which cars have soy based wiring, the answer is almost all of them. All Toyota models feature soy wiring. The Toyota Camry, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Prius, Toyota Highlander, Prius C, and Tundra are some noteworthy ones. Owners of these vehicles often deal with infestations.
Similar to Toyota, the South Korean brand Kia also made models with soy wiring. The Sedona, Sorento, Soul, Cadenza, and Sportage are a few examples. Kia’s sister brand, Hyundai entered the market with the Accent, Genesis Coupe, Veloster, and Elantra. This doesn’t just end here; luxury companies such as Dodge, BMW, Audi, and Nissan also feature soy based wiring, too.
That does not mean you can blame everything wrong with your vehicle on chewed-up wire insulation, of course. Nonetheless, a fair share of them is caused by this but they act more like a catalyst in situations to make them worse. Mechanics across the nation agreed that rodent damage has increased by 10-fold in the past few years.
List Of Cars That Have Soy Based Wiring
In recent years, an increasing number of automakers have turned to soy-based wiring as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based wires. While this innovation boasts several benefits, it has also led to an unforeseen issue – attracting rodents like mice, rats, and other pests that chew on these wires, causing substantial damage and costly repairs.
To help you narrow down which cars to avoid, here’s a quick list of car makes and models, mostly popular in the US market, that incorporate soy-based wiring. Note, this isn’t a fully detailed or comprehensive list, but it ought to give you a better idea:
Toyota:
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota RAV4
- Toyota Tacoma
- Toyota Tundra
Honda:
- Honda Accord
- Honda Civic
- Honda CR-V
- Honda Fit
- Honda HR-V
- Honda Insight
Ford:
- Ford Escape
- Ford Focus
- Ford Fusion
- Ford Mustang
- Ford Ranger
Chevrolet:
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Chevrolet Traverse
Nissan:
- Nissan Altima
- Nissan Rogue
- Nissan Sentra
- Nissan Versa
Hyundai:
- Hyundai Elantra
- Hyundai Sonata
- Hyundai Tucson
- Hyundai Kona
Kia:
- Kia Forte
- Kia Optima
- Kia Seltos
- Kia Soul
- Kia Sportage
Subaru:
- Subaru Crosstrek
- Subaru Forester
- Subaru Impreza
- Subaru Outback
Mazda:
- Mazda3
- Mazda6
- Mazda CX-3
- Mazda CX-5
- Mazda CX-9
Volkswagen:
- Volkswagen Golf
- Volkswagen Jetta
- Volkswagen Passat
- Volkswagen Tiguan
Audi:
- Audi A3
- Audi A4
- Audi Q3
- Audi Q5
Other Brands:
- Buick Encore
- Cadillac XT4
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Dodge Journey
- GMC Terrain
- Jeep Cherokee
- Lexus ES
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- Mini Cooper
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Porsche Macan
- RAM 1500
- Volvo XC40
Do Rodents Like Chewing On Car Wires?
There are a handful of myths about why mice and rats are so attracted to wire insulation in vehicles. A myth even suggests that rodents like the taste of chewed-up car wiring. Others believe that they are dragged in by a kind of electromagnetic signal given off by the car. Alas, there does not seem to be a clear answer on why rodents like chewing on trucks, cars, and RV wires.
A major theory is that due to their resemblance to branches, wires give animals the illusion of chewing on wood. Rodents do this all the time to wear down their teeth as their teeth are constantly growing, similar to human fingernails, so they have to shape them from time to time. Another theory suggests that animals eat them to get nutritional value.
A class-action lawsuit was claimed against Toyota in 2018 suggesting that rodent damage is the conclusive result and consequence of soy-based wiring. Toyota won that lawsuit and continued to remind everyone that there wasn’t much they could do about animals’ weird love for the new wiring. This is the same approach taken by other automakers, as well.
What Kinds Of Rodents Like To Chew Car Wiring?
Rodents are the most common kinds of pests that will infect your vehicle if it has soy-based wiring. Anything small enough to sneak inside the engine compartment will surely take advantage of it. A few of the more commonplace annoying critters that are likely to chew through your car’s wiring include:
- Mice – Due to their small size they can easily squeeze into small holes. Before long, they are a big nuisance.
- Rats – Despite being bigger than mice, rats are voracious chewers. They can cause huge damage to any vehicle in the blink of an eye.
- Squirrels – Don’t let their size fool you! Squirrels are quite skinny and the majority of their big body is fur. When all the fluff is removed, you will see a body small enough to fit inside the engine compartment.
- Chipmunks – In cold weather, chipmunks will do everything to find a warm place to take shelter in.
- Larger animals – Larger animals, although uncommon, like possums, groundhogs, and woodchucks can find their way into any vehicle’s engine easily.
These creatures will quickly take up residence in the engines of your vehicles once there is a drop in the temperature, so keep an eye open for rodent infestation signs. Although rodents spend the majority of their time hiding away, you should be able to spot them if you keep a sharp eye out.
How Much Damage Is Actually Caused?
No matter how small they are, rodents effortlessly chew through wires and can cause damages that would be difficult for professionals to repair. The biggest issue is that they create problems with your car’s wiring in hard-to-reach places of the engine and destroy wires that are harder to find.
If the mechanic cannot locate the reason behind the problem, they cannot fix it. Additionally, rodents might bring food and nest-making materials into the engine, which can create problems on their own if left behind. Cardboard, papers, and leaf litter could become a potential fire hazard when the compartment temperature goes up.
Based on your car’s make and model, coupled with how long the pests have stayed inside, the costs of fixing this can range from insignificant to burning a hole in your wallet. If a few wires could be replaced individually, maybe you’re looking at $150 or so. Otherwise, a full replacement of your car’s wiring harness may cost you anywhere from $500 to $1,000.
How To Clean A Rodent Infested Vehicle?
As humans can get the Hantavirus by inhaling it, it’s crucial to be extremely careful when cleaning a car that has been home to rats and/or mice. Before you start the cleanup, ventilate the space by keeping the windows and doors open for at least half an hour to let the fresh air fill the area.
Use cross-ventilation (a natural method of cooling) and allow the area to cool on its own. Don’t vacuum or sweep rodent droppings or urine as airborne contaminants might carry the Hantavirus. Rather than that, clean any infected areas with a spritz of liquid disinfectant.
Here are some additional steps that you’ll need to carry out to properly clean an rodent-infested car:
- Wear latex, vinyl, or rubber gloves when cleaning droppings or urine.
- Combine a gallon of water with 1½ cups of household bleach and spray the infected areas until they are damp.
- Let the bleach blend seep into the affected area for five to ten minutes.
- Using a paper towel, wipe the area. Discard the towel.
- Use another piece of paper towel to pick up the droppings, wipe the urine, and dispose of the waste.
- Place the nesting materials or the dead rodent in a plastic bag before sealing it shut. Place that bag in another plastic bag and seal it once more.
- If you cannot do it yourself, a detail shop will steam-clean the carpet for you.
Does Car Insurance Cover Rodent Infestations?
Many people ask which cars have soy based wiring so they can understand if it aligns with their insurance plans for the vehicle. Fortunately, most car insurance policies cover the cost to replace or repair the damage done by animals to a vehicle, such as damage or frayed wires from a nest, as long as you have comprehensive coverage to your name.
Rodents are rampant in North America, and they find no discomfort in staying inside trucks, cars, or RVs. Once inside, they get comfortable and make a nest before proceeding to damage the wires with their little shredders. The electrical wires will get damaged quite badly and you will have to spend hundreds, or maybe even thousands of dollars on repairs.
Comprehensive insurance coverage will compensate for damage to your vehicle from every cause apart from a collision. Moreover, it also covers damages due to (reminder: make sure that you check your specific insurance policy to make sure it actually covers this, and by how much):
- Vandalism
- Falling debris
- Hail damage
However, it’s best to confirm with your insurance provider whether they cover rodent damage, as this feature not be included for every circumstance or location. Comprehensive coverage is mostly necessary for a car you loan or lease; lenders keep it as a prerequisite to safeguard their investment. Alternatively, it’s an add-on (optional).
How Much Is The Insurance Coverage Amount?
Including comprehensive coverage to the insurance policy of your vehicle typically adds an extra 7% to 11% to a simple liability-only insurance plan. However, the total amount you will pay is heavily dependent on the model of vehicle you own, your location, as well as your driving history.
When you are fixing the car-wiring issues, keep in mind that only a portion of the damage expenses will be covered by the insurance – if the amount is higher than your deductible. For instance, if the bill to fix the wiring damage stands at $500 but your deductible is $600, you will be responsible for the whole amount since insurance will not cover it.
If squirrels or rats damage the vehicle and you don’t own a comprehensive cover or the deductible is too high, you will have to pay for the repairs on your own. Once the repairs are done, we highly recommend adding comprehensive coverage since rodents have this nasty habit of going back for the same vehicle.
You might not be able to get coverage this time, but you can surely save yourself a bit of future hassle by including comprehensive coverage in the insurance policy.
Have a 2022 Toyota hybrid Highlander suv 2 weeks less than 500 miles left it outside day before yesterday mice ate the shielded speed sensor line 800 in damages getting repaired today at my cost told that Toyota will not pay.
Hi there, Charles Price!
Sorry to hear that happened to you! Unfortunately, as we mentioned in the guide here, most carmakers won’t pay any warranty to cover damage caused by rodents. The good news is that most insurance providers do cover this sort of damage, so long as you have comprehensive coverage (would be a good idea to confirm this with your insurance provider, too).
I have a 2023 Cadillac CT5-V! Rodents caused $16,000 plus damage to my car! GM won’t cover it, thank goodness for insurance! How can the insurance companies keep paying for this and not sue GM for using soy-based wire wrapping?