Wiring problems of the 2016 Toyota 4Runner

Rodent chewed main engine wiring harness.

The wiring inside of the engine was chewed through by rodents. I drive the vehicle every day and it was serviced two days before. After performing some research, I found out that Toyota and other companies use soy based products to make wiring. This apparently attracts rodents as it is basically food for them. The vehicle was parked in front of my home in a marked parking spot. I have parked other (older) vehicles in front of my home for approximately 10 years without this problem. I have only owned my Toyota for one year and the wiring was destroyed by rodents to the tune of needing a new wiring harness.

Rodents chewed up wiring harness for fuel injector. Vehicle parked in encoded garage.

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the wiring was soy based and was not structurally sound. At 12,000 and 30,000 miles, the wires were prematurely damaged by rodents. The manufacturer provided no solution other than suggesting that the contact replace the wires twice. The dealer (durango Toyota, 1200 carbon jct, durango, CO 81301, (970) 385-4822) inspected the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.

Toyota knowingly uses a soy based wire coating that attracts rodents. Something chewed through the wiring harness making my vehicle shake uncontrollably and act very strange. This is a huge safety concern because what if the damage was only partial and then through normal use like highway driving the wire fully comes apart disrupting any and all safety features.

Bought a used 2016 4runner. Had it 3 weeks and a rodent chewed the wires on the main wiring harness. Toyota (that I have 2 warranties through) does not cover rodent damage even though the material that they use attracts rodents apparently from my research. I have $3500-$5500 in damage and my car has been at the dealership waiting for repair for 3 weeks now. The insurance company is fighting them on the repair and I am stuck without the vehicle. I do not have that kind of money to repair it myself. Toyota should be responsible for repairing and replacing the wires that they used since it is encouraging the damage! the vehicle was sitting in my carport. I live in the nicer part of a large town.

Toyota uses engine wiring that has a soy based coating. This encourages rodents to chew on them. We were camped (parked) and when we tried to drive the car it shuddered and the check engine light was on along with several other indicators. The car was running on five cylinders. We managed to get it to a Toyota dealer who told us of bite marks and droppings. In researching this on line we found reports of this happening in Toyotas and hondas. We could have been stranded in the desert in 110 degree heat if the damage was enough to disable the engine completely.

The day after we purchased this 4runner in October 2015 the 4 wheel drive stopped working and when we took it back to the dealer they said that rodents had chewed through the wire housing connected to the drive train. Initially they were not going to warranty the issue but after further aggressive discussion by me it was covered. Apparently Toyota uses a soy based spray or coating on the wiring that attracts rodents. The vehicle was operable but the 4wd warning light was flashing and 4wd did not engage. We have also heard from a neighbor with a 2015 4runner that a similar situation happened to them but it affected their whole electrical system and that the vehicle was not operable and had to be towed to the dealer.