NHTSA complaint #11718460

Owner complaint summary

Dear Commissioner and DMV Officials: I am writing to formally address a serious financial and safety concern affecting vehicle owners in Connecticut. As a driver with over 50 years of experience—32 of those in CT—I have never experienced rodent damage to any vehicle until purchasing my 2023 Hyundai Tucson. Since acquiring this vehicle, I have suffered thousands of dollars in damage from rodents chewing through the wiring and wire housing. Multiple mechanics have confirmed this is due to manufacturers switching to soy-based and plant-derived biodegradable materials in wiring insulation. These materials are effectively edible, attracting rodents year-round—not just in cold months. This is not owner negligence. The root cause is a material deficiency in the vehicle's manufacturing. Consumers should not bear the financial burden of a known design choice made by the automaker. Repairs are costly, often excluded from warranties, and frequently not covered by insurance. I respectfully request the Department: Investigate the scope of rodent damage complaints linked to bio-based wiring in newer vehicles. Coordinate with NHTSA to evaluate whether this constitutes a safety defect warranting a recall. Advocate for regulatory standards requiring rodent-resistant wiring materials. Urge manufacturers like Hyundai to offer warranty coverage, reimbursement, or retrofits for affected vehicles. I am prepared to provide documentation of my repair expenses upon request. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Respectfully submitted, [XXX] cc: NHTSA, CT Attorney General, CT Consumer Protection, Hyundai Consumer Affairs INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)