Likely my first and last toyota - Wiring Harness and electrical

2014 Platinum purchased from Capitol Toyota in Salem, OR 30k original miles, certified used, bought extended warranty and SO GLAD I DID! However, now at 55k miles, door locks and windows still don't work after Toyota spent 5 hrs troubleshooting the issue. Truck also mysteriously wouldn't start after sitting for two days during RV trip with a brand new battery at 40k miles. It was during the Oregon fires.... stranded with RV in tow. Thanks Toyota.

To my shock and horror, now Toyota dealer wants to replace the entire wiring harness because: "It's made out of soy food products and rodents find it DELICIOUS", however, dealer hasn't revealed any actual proof of rodent infestation, so I'm very reluctant to leave it with them, AFTER a $700. warrantly claim for a window switch that still didn't fix the problem. NO AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES. I live in concrete jungle and truck sees the keys 2-4 times a day and it also doubles as a mobile office, I would know if I had any guests. 2- Tundra household, exact year make and models. Toyota insists that rodent infestation is the root cause although they have zero evidence. I smell a rat alrigtht.

Have to leave at dealer for days for complete tear-down and try to find the problem.

I don't do electrical problems.

I think the truck is therefore garbage, it won't ever be the same again.

Honda uses anti-rodent shielding on their harnesses. -as per toyota dealer.

and that is WHY this will be my first and never again Toyota.

What's more disturbing is that Toyota acts as if I somehow caused the issue and refuses to actually take care of me due to "rodents". I live in the city folk!!! they're lying. VERY DISAPPOINTING.

I was horrified about tacomas frame rot- but nobody told me about main harness rot.

yeah, food products and electrical wiring harnesses don't mix, who knew!?!?!?

so glad I invested in making it a great truck with vegetable wiring cancer.

never again. I'm no longer enthused, more like bitter disappointment in the quality and the lack of technical service at the dealer.

 

Welcome from NY.

Guess you should trade it in.

 

if only money grew on trees,
lawsuit.

I'm looking for a class action lawsuit.

 

Elk Hunter?

 

On what basis?

 

Why would you have to pay $700 for a warranty claim? Warranty claims shouldn't cost anything. I think your problem is the dealer not the truck.

 

I agree 100%
The warranty covered the part which wasn't the root cause as they suspected. Why I don't want them to tear it down.

(I have my suspicions about the stealership for sure Beaverton Toyota not Capitol Toyota
. willing to tear truck down simply because the window switch replacement didn't resolve the issue and actuallly cuased a few more, like rear windown wont roll down and doors wont lock / unlock)

 

I would side with the dealer being an issue.... I had an issue with the water pump when my truck was under warranty... I called corporate, asked for a name and extension number and what to do since I didn't want to overheat the engine and cause permanent damage.. They said throw water at it and take it in. dealer blamed me, and I called and used the extension issued the same day and it was cleared up... My truck was transported to a different dealer due to a loss of confidence both in my self and corporate.. I had to fly to get it as the next available dealership was over 60 miles away. Had a lot of other issues later on, to which I decided on a mileage penalty vs being blamed and charged for warranty work..

 

yeah, thanks... I'm feeling that this bodes ominously. Really too bad as I have LOVED this truck for past 3 years. difficult to believe it.

But if all they're going to do is put the exact same (delicious and prone to rott) wiring harness in, then I see no reason to keep it.

I want peace of mind.

 

I do believe the soy harness is Globalism standard now, so pretty much you're going to get it from German to Domestic to Asian, don't think switching brands will help as they all have similar issues... I'd suggest you do some digging for yourself though... no one cares more for any other property than their own... just my opinion...

 

Welcome from NC! Sorry to hear about your issues. Looks like it’s time for another truck!

 

Welcome from WA.
Sounds like a better dealership is your answer to get a more accurate diagnosis. Find a master tech that doesn't just want to throw parts at it.
It could be something simple and you could go back to being a happy camper.
Cheers

 

ABSOLUTELY TRUE!
but this is a "known problem" on tundras. not all Toyotas use the material.
Dealer suggested claiming it on my comprehensive insurance (RED FLAG!) as extended warranty doesn't cover rodent infestations (and I reminded the dealer that insurance, and myself, won't accept it without any proof of residence.)

Toyota should make it a recall, and use different, APPROPRIATE materials to fix the root cause. Asinine!!

 

Agree its a known issue.
Lots of red flags with that dealer, I would take it elsewhere for the issue without giving any back story on dealer #1.

 

Same thought came to mind too.

 

I would take all this frustration and walk it back to that dealer. If there is rodent damage, make them prove it. Especially if they're using that to deny warranty work. From what I get from you, they don't sound completely competent. Don't let them talk you into a radical repair like this

 

1. Honestly, aside from the issue you're dealing with, it seems like 95% of the issue is the dealership, not the truck. I mean yeah, you've had issues with the truck; and I've had issues in the past with other vehicles, but the dealership makes or breaks the experience.

2. I mean, Toyotas are statistically far more reliable than other makes. If you're going to shy away from them, just make sure you do your research on vehicles *AND* dealerships.

 

I like that idea.
Despite Toyota America telling me that once the warranty claim is started, I cannot switch dealers mid-course.... however, they did try to give it back to me after I signed all the paperwork and I believe that was "closing the claim" went outside and found more issues than I came into dealer with.... so it really wasn't fixed. which also didn't help build any trust..... Hmmmmmm….. OK, new dealer it is then.... fck em.

 

Yeah, definitely; I've done that myself in the past. Dealerships/corporate doesn't 'like' it, but I flat out told them "YOU said I could take this to any dealership I wanted." LOL They didn't appreciate me saying that.

 

I predict nipple snapping.

 

The rodent issue isn't just Toyota. When I was deployed overseas we had problems with rodents chewing wiring insulation on vehicles, we didn't have any Toyotas, everything was Dodge or Ford.

 

So you joined a Tundra forum to complain about your Tundra?

 

No Aftermarket Accessories? I’m not sure what you’re looking for, but there’s tons of Toyota stuff out there. Maybe a little more specificity on what you want,
And I’m sure you’ll get some good advice or be pointed I the right direction .

 

If not I bet there were a bunch of mailboxes involved though

 

Welcome aboard First Last Toyota Kiss My Ass.

Mods: don't we have a Dear Abby subforum???

 

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/class-action-lawsuit-rats-love-toyota-wiring-so-owners-sue-again/

 

Welcome. Rodent chewing on electrical is a massive problem everywhere. Trust me, I work in the electric industry.

post up some pics of this beauty.