Wiring problems of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma

In the middle of Feb 2021 the driver's side (factory) seat heater stopped heating. The seat heater button still operated normally with regard to lights, etc. I removed the seat and discovered that the connector between the seat heater wiring harness and the seat heater amplifier had electrically arced (red wire) and melted the connector together. (note: the passenger side heater is unaffected. Also note: the fuse for this circuit did not burn up as it should have when the current surged causing the melted connector. ) upon doing research this is apparently not an unheard of problem on this year/model Tacoma. I have uploaded photos. There are three issues here: 1) a clear design flaw, 2) this is a safety issue, it could have caused a fire, and 3) it likely affects the entire fleet of Tacomas in this year range. My belief is that this rises to the level of a recall and have talked to both the dealer and corporate about it. Toyota has agreed to pay half the cost of repairs, and I have agreed to this, (although they also claim to have never heard of this problem before). Toyota case #: 2103011304.

Electrical wiring/connector for the heated seat module located under the driver seat overheated or arced causing the connector (s) to melt posing a safety hazard and rendering the heated seat inoperable.

Truck with only 8000 miles has over 3000 dollars damage from rodents chewing on wiring. . . . Research online shows that there are class action suits as many people are experiencing this problem of rodents being attracting to "soy based wiring". When I paid almost 40,000 dollars for a new truck , I mistakenly thought id be trouble free for at least 3 yrs or 36000 miles. . . I have insurance but must pay 1000 dollars deductable and without truck for approx 3 weeks and now also the possibility of this recurring again. Im sure the intentions were good with the soy based wiring. . . Ie, less plastic in landfills. . . . But while this problem has always happened, never this often and repeadedly. . . A simple google search of Toyota soy wiring should enlighten anyone . . .

Tl the contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tacoma. When the vehicle was started, the check engine and traction control off warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to freeman Toyota (2875 corby Ave, santa rosa, CA 95407, (707) 535-2330) where it was diagnosed that rodents entered the engine compartment and chewed on the camshaft sensor wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 21,600.

I recently purchased a 2106 Toyota Tacoma, this vehicle has been owned for about 4 months and has less than 4,000 miles on it. I was alerted of a check engine light and took this to the dealer for repairs. I was told that the wiring harness had been chewed by a rodent and this was very common at this dealership. I didn't think anything of it until I went online and notice thousands having the same issue. This is not just a one time thing or a chance occurance. There are several pending class action lawsuits against Toyota for defective wiring and engine components that are made of a soy based product that is a principal source of some rodents diet. This makes the engine components irresistible to rodents. Honda, Toyota and Ford have all been experiencing higher than normal issues with this since switching to this product. What makes this worse is that there is no solution to the problem. I cannot move or relocate because of the wildlife, squirrels are everywhere. Additionally, the dealership snickered with put some moth balls or make some homemade rodent repellant. Unfortunately whatever spray or toxic repellant you use around the engine, will eventually be breathed into the cabin which could become deadly. This also could affect drive that are in motion or could leave them stranded on the side of the road. Luckily for me, my car was parked and I was alerted by the check engine light and able to drive the vehicle to the dealership. Of course the dealership did not cover this on the warranty and Toyota could not be reached for comment directly due to pending litigation. This has cost me over 3,000 dollars in repairs and there is no telling how many more time I will have to pay this before Toyota fixes this problem.

It cost me $850. 00 because Toyota used soy based wiring on my vehicle. A rat chewed wires under the hood causing this damage. There are class action suits against Toyota for this problem.