Aggravated Tundra Owner

I feel your pain @SAH
As I read your post, I have just gone through your problem. I have a 2019 Tundra SR5 4X2 with 2,500 miles & with 2 months off the lot, had gas pouring out due to ‘rodent damage’. It first started with my windshield washer fluid lines getting eaten, then they made there way to my fuel line. The local stealership just charged me over $500 for the repairs and said rodent damage is not covered under warranty. I also had to pay for my own car rental until it was repaired. It took the dealership over a week to receive the fuel line from California. They told me the same info: 2 of 3 fuel lines were chewed up.

If it helps, here are the parts # from the dealership.
-FP-NUMBER
77204-0C090 TUBE SUB-ASSY, FU 48.05
77209-0C140 TUBE SUB-ASSY, FU 50.32

Your auto insurance may cover car rentals up to a set amount (mine is about $1,500) for car rentals when your vehicle is in for repairs.

 

I worked for USAA for about 6 years as an auto claims adjuster and handled hundreds of rodent damage repairs. Oddly enough, Toyotas were the most common vehicle affected. I particularly remember a Highlander in which a fuel-injection wire was chewed and the intake manifold had to be removed in order to replace it. Was around a $2000 repair and the woman cried when I told her we would cover it, less the $100 deductible, and pay for a rental car.

Rodent damage is covered under your Comprehensive coverage and whatever deductible you have on that applies. It is considered "not-at-fault" so filing a claim does not affect your rates.

Sounds like the dealer is taking care of it, though, which is rare. No advice on the long wait. My daughter is stationed in Japan and it takes 2-3 weeks to get packages back and forth.

 

I think the OP's frustration is valid but misplaced. You should have contacted your insurance and not expected a loaner vehicle. I also don't see how there is any way your truck will be negatively impacted(long term).

I would also get the part # and try to find a replacement. The dealer may be right and it may not be their fault that they can't get their hands on the part.

 

...so are cougars. I don’t mind it so much...

 

OP never showed back up. Curious how this all worked out!

 

https://www.autonews.com/article/20...-of-suit-over-rodent-damaged-soy-based-wiring

Filed in August 2016, the lawsuit said the insulation is soy-based rather than petroleum-based, which makes it attractive to hungry rodents. Automakers began using soy-based products several years ago in an initiative to make their products more environmentally friendly.

The suit claims the company should cover such damage under warranty.

Brian Kabateck, co-lead attorney for the plaintiffs in Los Angeles, initially filed the suit on behalf of Albert Heber of Indiana, the Detroit Free Press reported. Heber paid around $1,500 to fix the wiring in his 2012 Tundra, which was chewed through three separate times. Since Heber's suit, a number of customers have come forward with similar claims.