Rodent Damage: Something to think about..

only our ford van at our house

 

Just saw this today--a report about a squirrel chewing on the moulding of a Toyota Sequoia!

'Munchy' the squirrel takes bite out of SUV | Fox News Video

 

I don't know what it is about the Prius and rodents.

I do know that I have sprayed rustproofing on every cavity into the inside cavities of every car that I've owned in the last 45 years. I've NEVER had rodent damage. They must hate the petroleum smell and residue, which coats even the wiring.

I can't prove it, but it might work for others. The stuff comes in aerosol cans for about $15 a can. You need 2-3 cans for a Prius.

 

My very first Prius (company car) had 3 rat nests in the engine compartment as a result of parking the car for an extended period at the airport long term parking, located by an open field. The dealership said it def. happens...not just to Prius but to any car when you park there, as they look for a warmer/safe place to nest (it was rainy and winter). Just a part of nature I guess. I don't know what the final cost to fix it was, but the car was fully out of commission for a solid week while in for repairs.

 

+1 I find leaving the bonnet open deters the rodents. If I arrive home at night and forget the bonnet next morning the engine compartment is full of droppings and nesting material. So far they haven't chewed on wiring. remain vigilant

 

Some people would disagree and point out soy based plastics. There is a reason why some cars are affected more than others.

Icredible Edible Car

 

Our 07 Tundra is like a magnet for rats. I place rat poison blocks in the engine compartment which usually gets them in one day but they have done damage in that one day.

 

my fathers girlfriend left her caddy in his garage for the winter a few years ago and the mice chewed the wiring harness to shreds. he has never had a problem leaving his car in there (chrysler) and she never has a problem leaving hers just outside.

 

are mice eating your interior?

 

Wait till one gets caught in the fan.
You cannot get the smell out.
Trade it in!
Why can they get in so easily?

 

tough to seal up a car, mice can get through a crack a quarter inch wide.

 

And boy can they jump! High and far!

 

No matter where I park rodents are finding ways to get into my car. I do not keep food in the car and I have done several different things to prevent them getting in. Including moving my car around to places other than my designated covered parking spot. It would appear that Toyota switched over to more environmentally friendly insulation materials in recent years. This car is something I purchased brand new: a 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid.

This has been going on for almost a full year now and it would appear I'm not the only person experiencing this as is apparent from the links below.

I have extensive pictures of what has happened to my car. This also hasn't been an issue for any of the other vehicles in my parking lot and my previous car was parked there for years without issue (a different manufacturer). I also park our older Toyota Matrix (2003) and Toyota MR2 Spyder (2000) in that spot and I have not had any issues with either vehicle. I believe our older Toyota models have very different materials that aren't as attractive to rodents.

I firmly believe this has to do with Toyota's move to more environmentally friendly materials. Just tonight I finally have had enough because these creatures chewed into my TRUNK and were chewing up the materials in my trunk near the Hybrid Battery. I'm parked in a completely different area and it's still happening. This isn't a coincide!


I have some serious health and safety concerns here. I was reading about someone that had rodents get into their new Toyota Prius that ate the passenger airbag and did over $10,000 in damages. This needs to be investigated ASAP.

 

Hey bud, you seem to LOVE to defend Toyota despite mounting evidence that this is a real problem and engineering design flaw. There's actually two flaws. Ease of access through the vent to the blower motor and the use of organic materials for sound deadening and insullation.

Please read my reply's. I do NOT have a Prius.

I also implore you to simply Google: "Toyota Rodents"

There are a LOT of people coming to the defense of Toyota because it feels logical to say that they are not responsible for outside influences, but the fact of the matter is that this is a design flaw and this is happening to a lot of people. I don't live in the country, I don't keep food in my car and there is NOTHING nearby for them to be attracted to except for the car itself. I blocked off the entry way points into the blower motor and that worked for a little bit. I have put moth balls around the car and the parking spots. I've sprayed repel-all around the car. Bought me some time.

I finally lost it this past Saturday when they got into my trunk and then into my interior and at my passenger seat.

I didn't drive the car on Saturday because it was nice and I was out riding my bike. I drove the car Sunday morning and didn't notice the interior and trunk damage until that evening.

This is absolutely unbelievable and Toyota has ZERO answers for me...I can get the car repaired through my insurance, but with no guarantee from Toyota that this will stop.

I have gotten an attorney and am looking into my options. I suggest anyone suffering from this call Toyota at the number below .

Toyota Customer Experience Center Phone: 800-331-4331, Mon-Fri 5:00 am to 6:00 pm PT, Sat 7:00 am to 4:00 pm PT



If they claim ignorance don't let that fool you. There are people within the company that are well aware of the issue and are unwilling to do anything until a government agency forces them to.


For that I suggest you go here and file a complaint. I have!
File a Vehicle Safety Complaint Form | Safercar.gov | NHTSA

 

Evidence:


1. 2011 SEQUOIA

a. Rodents & wiring, oh boy! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

2. 2004-2009 Prius

a. Fix for the Prius rodent problem years 2004-2009 - GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars

3. Toyota Avalon

a.

4. 2009 Highlander Hybrid

a.

5. 2005 Tacoma

a. Cabin air filters and MICE! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

6. 2013 Camry

a. 2013 Camry. Being told i have a mouse problem - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

7. 2010 Camry SE

a. Dead mouse in AC - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

b. “You'd be surprised how many Camrys/Priuses have rodent problems. Probably 1 out of ever 5 cars that come to the dealership have mice nests either in the engine compartment or where the cabin air filter is housed.”

8. 2008 Highlander

a. Mice and rodent problem in 2008 Highlander - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

9. 2011 Sienna

a. Come on Toyota! MICE getting into Cabin through Air Vent ? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

10.2014 Venza

a. 2014 Toyota Venza Wagon Review | Edmunds.com

3 month update


by tduke on Jun 20, 2013
Vehicle: 2013 Toyota Venza


A quick update on my 2013 Limited FWD. Am averaging 25 mpg (actual, not computer). Overall a nice vehicle. However, if you live in a rural location beware, rodents LOVE the wires & hoses in this car. I've spent $350 replacing various under hood bits after a large rat took up residence (later dying in the cabin AC filter box). The dealer acknowledges this is a problem due to eco friendly material being used that attract rodents. They suggest taking countermeasures like mothballs, hot pepper spray on wires/hoses and fox urine spray in wheel wells. My Buick was never touched for 2.5 years but within 6 weeks the Venza was a buffet. My cat stays busy but can't kill them all.

 

you probably need to survey where people live as well, fyi

 

Does it matter? Is Toyota going to suddenly stop selling cars to people in the country? Should people that choose to live in the country suffer because Toyota didn't properly ensure closure of the cabin air filter/blower? As well as a proper testing of the materials they decided to use throughout?

And for the record, I live two blocks from a small downtown area and the car is driven regularly.

 

Our Prius is the first car we've had, in close to 35 years, that had a rodent move in. Caught a glimpse of the little bugger once, it was a smallish rat. We think. Was not in the cabin, just took up residence in the engine bay. He would alternate between the car and the garage.

It came to a head when we were taking care of a relative's dog. Drove into the garage with him, and as soon as he got out he got wind of "ratty". We were pulling stuff out of corners, mayhem ensued, a good time was had by all, lol. Ratty finally lit out of the garage, and all has been good since.

 

So, does this provolone prove that Toyota's been making "cheesy" cars and trucks all along?!

 

@Rude person's

what are you exactly using?
I tried already a mixture of spearmint/menthol oils, scented dryer sheets....
all to no avail; every oil change I see a new nest/
maybe the stuff you've been using might help me,too/

btw, I tried to pm you, said something about your privacy settings....


edit: I found it/
when I read this post th first time, I put it on my amazon wishlist.....
Transtar 4423 Amber Rustproofing