Tesla is the latest car brand to fall prey to rodent issues

RahulNagaraj · 23rd July 2021, 13:27

Tesla seems to be the latest car brand to be afflicted by the growing number of complaints, regarding rodent issues.

According to a media report, complaints regarding rat attacks on Tesla cars are on the rise, causing a big concern for owners. Customers are complaining that despite spending thousands of dollars on purchasing expensive vehicles, Tesla refuses to cover the damage caused by rodents.

The report suggests that the rising issue of rodents chewing up wires in cars is due to the use of soy-based insulation instead of petroleum-based alternatives. However, this is not limited to just Tesla models. It is a standard across the entire automotive industry.

The use of soy-based insulation wiring is much cheaper and more environment-friendly compared to petroleum-based alternatives. However, the soy-based insulation is more attractive to rodents. The result is said to be a severe rise in rodent issues for customers, which are not covered under warranty.

Tesla hasn't faced any legal action from customers yet. Several other carmakers are said to have received class-action lawsuits from customers, regarding rodent issues and the usage of soy-based insulation.

Source: New York Post

Link to Team-BHP news

abhishek46 · 23rd July 2021, 15:08

Why should rodent damage be covered by the manufacturer?
By the same logic, should owners of vehicles living near forest areas start claiming 'elephant' damage warranty?

maddy42 · 23rd July 2021, 15:30

Sounds ridiculous that Tesla is to be blamed for rats in the car but auto manufacturers need to start designing in a way that rats can make merry.

In the toyota fortuner the rats get into the cabin air filter due to a large hole present there and leave all sorts of nesting items, droppings and what not. Its weird that toyota didnt think of this. This is below the base of the wiper stalks.

Anyone faces rats in their ac filter, this video may help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD5uTBjvuTg

srini1785 · 23rd July 2021, 16:32

IMO, this problem can be easily solved. Tesla should allow a minimal current leakage function to just electrocute the rats when they start to chew on the wires. This function should be ON when the car is turned off too. Just allow say 30-40V on the body frame, main wires etc and wait for the rats. Why they can even mark the phase wires for the sake of the rats appetite. By this it would not only electrocute the rats, it would also put off wanna be tesla thieves when they touch the frame and get a nasty jolt. Of course, there has to be a warning light to indicate that the car is now "HOT".

If they can device autonomous driving AI, Space suits etc, they surly can find out a solution to the rat-chewing-the-wire problem.

Maverick Avi · 25th July 2021, 10:44

I am sure this is not limited to Tesla. With COVID, people all over the world have reduced travelling. This is leading to cars sitting idle for extended durations and at the same spot. This is one of the main reasons for rats enjoying a great time under the hood. Other reason for rats preferring Tesla over ICE cars is comparatively much quieter engine bay.

Most of the methods suggested as rat deterrants are not fool proof but one thing that all manufacturers can definitely do is to place a wire mesh on the fresh air intake opening under the cowl. This makes sure that rats do not enter the cabin which can get very messy and difficult to fix.

23rd July 2021, 13:27	#1
RahulNagaraj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,111 Thanked: 20,567 Times	Tesla is the latest car brand to fall prey to rodent issues Tesla seems to be the latest car brand to be afflicted by the growing number of complaints, regarding rodent issues. According to a media report, complaints regarding rat attacks on Tesla cars are on the rise, causing a big concern for owners. Customers are complaining that despite spending thousands of dollars on purchasing expensive vehicles, Tesla refuses to cover the damage caused by rodents. The report suggests that the rising issue of rodents chewing up wires in cars is due to the use of soy-based insulation instead of petroleum-based alternatives. However, this is not limited to just Tesla models. It is a standard across the entire automotive industry. The use of soy-based insulation wiring is much cheaper and more environment-friendly compared to petroleum-based alternatives. However, the soy-based insulation is more attractive to rodents. The result is said to be a severe rise in rodent issues for customers, which are not covered under warranty. Tesla hasn't faced any legal action from customers yet. Several other carmakers are said to have received class-action lawsuits from customers, regarding rodent issues and the usage of soy-based insulation. Source: New York Post Link to Team-BHP news
	(12) Thanks

23rd July 2021, 15:08	#2
abhishek46 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,813 Thanked: 5,864 Times	Re: Tesla is the latest car brand to fall prey to rodent issues Why should rodent damage be covered by the manufacturer? By the same logic, should owners of vehicles living near forest areas start claiming 'elephant' damage warranty?
	(4) Thanks

23rd July 2021, 16:32	#4
srini1785 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: bang Posts: 878 Thanked: 3,117 Times	Re: Tesla is the latest car brand to fall prey to rodent issues IMO, this problem can be easily solved. Tesla should allow a minimal current leakage function to just electrocute the rats when they start to chew on the wires. This function should be ON when the car is turned off too. Just allow say 30-40V on the body frame, main wires etc and wait for the rats. Why they can even mark the phase wires for the sake of the rats appetite. By this it would not only electrocute the rats, it would also put off wanna be tesla thieves when they touch the frame and get a nasty jolt. Of course, there has to be a warning light to indicate that the car is now "HOT". If they can device autonomous driving AI, Space suits etc, they surly can find out a solution to the rat-chewing-the-wire problem.
	() Thanks

25th July 2021, 10:44	#5
Maverick Avi BHPian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New Delhi Posts: 268 Thanked: 593 Times	Re: Tesla is the latest car brand to fall prey to rodent issues I am sure this is not limited to Tesla. With COVID, people all over the world have reduced travelling. This is leading to cars sitting idle for extended durations and at the same spot. This is one of the main reasons for rats enjoying a great time under the hood. Other reason for rats preferring Tesla over ICE cars is comparatively much quieter engine bay. Most of the methods suggested as rat deterrants are not fool proof but one thing that all manufacturers can definitely do is to place a wire mesh on the fresh air intake opening under the cowl. This makes sure that rats do not enter the cabin which can get very messy and difficult to fix.
	() Thanks