40 years in construction and engineering, probably could relate at least 50 incidents of contractors' equipment being disabled by mice eating wires. At our golf course, we have about 50 member owned carts stored in rental sheds. During winter months, we will provide rat poison... if the member asks for it... to put in the sheds. If they don't, they will have golf carts disabled or other damage from the mice. A couple years ago, a lady had the shoelaces totally chewed out of a pair of golf shoes in her shed. I saw them!!! A couple small pieces of the laces a few feet away, but most of them totally gone. The shoes did not appear touched. The lace eyelets weren't touched. Just the laces themselves.
I don't see where the auto manufacturers have any responsibility/liability re the rodent issue. The more dependent on computer chips and technology our vehicles become, the more damage rodents can do. Were I her, I'd have called my auto insurance agent. What's the difference between rodent damage, flood damage, wind damage, hit & run damage???
Actually, with all the squirrels around here eating automotive wiring like it's going out of style, the rats would have to take a number and wait in line.
