8.0
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $670
- Average Mileage:
- 8,800 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 2 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (2 reports)
Previously I owned a 1999 F150 and except for tires and brakes and so forth there was no problems with it. I bought the new 2015 F150 less than a year ago and right away began having problems with rodents going into the engine compartment eating the insulation. I've taken it into the dealer twice for electrical repairs costing around a total of about $1200. The warranty does not cover rodent damage they tell me.
I began to wonder why the old truck had no troubles being parked in the same place for 15 years and right away the new truck has this chronic issue. Doing a little Internet research I discovered that the wiring insulation as well as a few other component parts on this and the 2016 models is made from a soy-based material. Turns out that to a rat or other rodent that insulation looks like a tasty little snack!
I have searched the Internet looking for rodent repellents in an effort to keep these critters out of the car. Some seem to work some do not. I live in a rural agricultural area it just naturally has a greater number of rodents than most urban areas was long as I live here I will be vulnerable to this ongoing expense. So far not getting any help from Ford Motor Company.
I think in all fairness when the dealer is selling you a vehicle with known issues such as this they should warn their customers of the potential hazard. I'm all for creating sustainable ways of manufacturing products, and I can see how these soy-based materials would help there. But at the same time we need to be able to continue to use these products without them driving us into the poor house.
- Rick N., Escondido, CA, US
I got in my car on December 5th to go to work and it wouldn't start. It would turn over but no fire. My husband went home at lunch to check it out and same issue. Obviously wasn't battery all electrical worked. Call the dealership and they sent a tow truck that afternoon. I called the dealership the next morning and service guy says "not sure yet but we "think' it's a rodent issue, and if that's the case warranty won't cover it. So I asked how do we find out? He proceeded to tell me they would look with a scope to try and see if it was the issue but would be an 880.00 job if they had to tear it down to find it. Again, it would be an insurance issue if it turned into a rodent problem!? So another day goes by and again "I" call the dealership to see what the deal is, he said "Oh yea we see signs of rodent chewing so call your insurance company and file a claim. I did that immediately on December 7th! Two more days go by and no call so I call again, he says "oh we are waiting on the go ahead from insurance!?? He already had the go ahead. Anyway enough ranting about the service issues that only took 3 WEEKS to fix some RODENT CHEWING! I got the truck back yesterday December 27th!! They informed me it could happen again and AGAIN it WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY! That means another Insurance deductible out of my pocket and possibly 3 more weeks out of my life to fix chewed rodent wiring!? I've lived in the country my entire life none of our other vehicles have had this issue! So the question... "IS Ford going to change the wiring so it doesn't attract rodents, or allow warranty to cover the issue since FORD is making these wires with soy base!? That's just crazy!! And $1258.00 for a job that apparently only takes 2 hours to do!?!! Or in my case 2 hours plus the additional 3 WEEKLS!!!!!
- Darla W., Seguin, TX, US