Kubota Lawsuit: Soy Wiring Attracts Rats, Other Rodents

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org would like to speak to anyone who has a Kubota vehicle – such as a tractor, mower or utility vehicle – with soy-based wiring.

A class action lawsuit has been filed alleging the soy-based material attracts rats and other rodents and entices them to chew through the wiring, leaving the vehicles either partially or completely inoperable. 

If you have a Kubota vehicle and had issues with its soy-based wiring, you may be able to get back money for past and future repairs, as well as for the diminished value of your vehicle.

How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?

A class action lawsuit could help people get back the money they spent repairing their vehicles. The plaintiff in the case, for instance, allegedly spent more than $1,700 to repair and replace the wiring in a Kubota tractor. A successful case could also award money for the cost of future repairs and the loss in value of the vehicles because of the soy-based wiring.

The suit also wants Kubota to disclose the alleged defect, cover damage from rodents under the terms of its warranties and take appropriate steps to modify the areas around the wires to prevent rodents from getting inside.

What Does the Case Say Exactly?

The lawsuit alleges Kubota knew or should have known about the rodent issue, fails to cover the cost of repairs under its warranties and switched to soy-based wiring to save money. More on these specific allegations can be read below.

Kubota “Knew or Should Have Known”

According to the suit, Kubota should have become aware of issues with its soy-based wiring from:

There has also been nationwide news coverage about issues with soy-based wiring, and both Toyota and Honda are experiencing similar problems in their vehicles, according to the lawsuit.

In fact, the suit says, Kubota should not only have been aware of the problem but should have also recognized that its products would be more susceptible than automobiles to rodent damage. This is because the company’s tractors, mowers and utility vehicles are commonly stored in outdoors spaces, such as barns and warehouses, where “rodents thrive in their natural environment,” the lawsuit says.

Kubota Switched to Soy “in the Name of Profit”

The lawsuit claims that Kubota made the switch from petroleum-based wire insulation to plant-, soy- or bio-based parts because they were “considerably less expensive.” According to the case, vehicle wiring has historically been “coated or covered with a glass, plastic or polymer-based insulation.” Over the last ten years, however, companies have reportedly explored new materials to lower costs and make parts more environmentally friendly.

The lawsuit alleges that the company made the switch to soy-based wiring not just to make its parts more biodegradable “but also, and significantly, in the name of profit and cost-cutting.”

Kubota “Routinely” Refuses to Honor Warranties

According to the lawsuit, when people take their vehicles to be fixed, Kubota “routinely and consistently” refuses to honor its warranties, forcing consumers to pay out of pocket for their repairs. What’s worse, the suit says, is that Kubota-authorized dealers are simply replacing the damaged wiring with the same soy-based parts, making the vehicles susceptible to further rodent damage that will necessitate additional repairs.

Before commenting, please review our comment policy.