ORLANDO, Fla. – Rodents chewing through engines are causing costly repairs and frustration for drivers across the country.
One woman’s struggle to get her new truck fixed reveals a larger problem involving warranty limitations, and insurance hurdles.
Christine Moss has made it a daily routine to spray rodent repellant under the hood of her 2023 Ford F-150.
She also uses rat poison and mothballs to keep pests away.
She says rodents chewed through her wiring and nearly everything under the hood.
“We had fuel pump, we had all our pumps, all our filters, everything was eaten through,” Moss said.
She noticed the problem immediately when starting the vehicle.
“I heard this bang, bang, and the car was stuttering like it didn’t want to go,” she said. “The air went off. All the systems started going down. Dashboard lit up.”
Moss thought the dealership would cover the repairs under warranty, but she was told rodent damage isn’t covered.
What followed were weeks of frustration between the dealership and her insurance company, leaving her without a vehicle for a month.
“Something needs to be done. This is just not appropriate. All these new vehicles have this wiring,” Moss said.
Many newer vehicles use wiring made with soy-based materials.
While cheaper and environmentally friendly, some believe this wiring attracts rodents.
A spokesperson for Ford sent us a statement saying, “Biologically-based additives or components are not being used on wiring F-150 harnesses.”
No matter the wiring, rodent damage is expensive.
The total cost for Moss’s repairs topped $6,000.
Insurance eventually covered the bill, but she still had to pay a $1,000 deductible.
“That’s not okay,” Moss said.
Moss is not alone.
News 6 has learned that both Toyota and Honda faced class-action lawsuits from customers who paid for rodent damage repairs.
However, those lawsuits were dismissed, partly because it couldn’t be proven that soy wiring attracted the animals.
Some car makers continue to use the wiring.
Steve Alfieri, general manager at Russell Automotive in Apopka, explained the issue.
“Well, the soy itself is what attracts them, and they can pick up the scent,” Alfieri said.
He added that any vehicle parked outside for a long time is vulnerable to animals nesting under the hood, regardless of wiring type.
“They don’t necessarily go after the wires. They go after hard plastics. They eat the hood insulation down to make nests,” Alfieri said.
Alfieri showed bite marks on insulation under a hood as an example.
Meanwhile, owners like Moss are left to fight for coverage while protecting their vehicles.
“It’s an added expense, and it’s up to me, the vehicle owner, to protect myself,” Moss said.
Especially if you park outside - be aware. Rodent damage is real and costly. Check your vehicle regularly and talk to your insurance about coverage options.