The dreaded "STOP SAFELY NOW" message and the cause...

[Lightning Rod]

I posted this a few days ago in another thread without a replay. So I made another thread.

This past Wednesday I went to work like normal. Truck drove just fine. As usual, I sat in truck for about 20 minutes and listened to music and thumbing thru emails. Got back in the truck 10 hours later and went to start the truck, but no dice. I got the STOP SAFELY NOW, FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE. Tried turning off and back on several times... would not start. Checked 12V battery, it was reading 11.9 volts. I tried my jump box that I've given a dozen jumps to people over the years, hooked it up... nothing. I had my wife bring me my battery charger and let it charge to 13.6 volts. Tried starting it... same issue.

Got it flat bedded to the dealer the next morning. They looked at it and ran all kinds of test for a day and a half. They called me and said they found the problem.... rodents chewed thru part of the high voltage wires! He said that the harness will cost $2,200. The fun part is, it's on backorder without an ETA.

He suggested that I get my insurance involved as my warranty AND my extended warranty would not apply as it is "an act of nature" that caused the breakdown. I will call my insurance tomorrow morning to let them know of my situation. I'm figuring it will cost me probably 6, 7K when it's all said and done.

I recorded a groundhog several weeks ago with my phone in the backyard close to where I was parked. I parked right next to a tall brushline with high weeds and woods behind that. I'll bet it was that damn groundhog that chewed my wires.

At least I know what the problem is, but now I may have to wait weeks or months before I can get my Lightning back.

What do you guys think about this whole deal?

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[The Weatherman]

I think that sucks! I think I’ve seen nearly as much damage done to our trucks by rodents and deer as just common parts failures.

 

[Sgt. Carter]

I went through something similar in December 2025. In my case a family of squirrels had moved in over a three week period when the truck was parked near our cabin. Each HVB wiring harness (4) and 3 LV wiring harnesses had been chewed on. 9 weeks later I got the truck back. Insurance covered the $10K cost. Lesson: don’t leave the truck unattended in/near a wooded remote area.

 

[Heliian]

I went through something similar in December 2025.

Do you guys wash your trucks regularly in carwashes that have fruity smelling soaps? I park in the bush all the time and haven't had any issues, I rarely go through car washes.

 

[Wattsgas]

I live in the woods. Have only had rodents invade the frunk by the battery. Fortunately no damage to the truck. I have started leaving a rag soaked with peppermint oil in the frunk. But am concerned about the harnesses. Not sure what can be done to protect them. My understanding is that the new wire insulation is soy based and critters love it. Just got my truck back from the dealership, (rear calipers seized up and I needed to have them replaced). Truck was there for a week and found evidence of rodents in the frunk....so no real sure about the peppermint oil. Critters seem to like the Lightning better than my superduty.

 

[Lightning Rod]

I went through something similar in December 2025. In my case a family of squirrels had moved in over a three week period when the truck was parked near our cabin. Each HVB wiring harness (4) and 3 LV wiring harnesses had been chewed on. 9 weeks later I got the truck back. Insurance covered the $10K cost. Lesson: don’t leave the truck unattended in/near a wooded remote area.

Wow, that's terrible! 10K, that's not bad for all of that being replaced. I hope that that's the only wire that he hit on mine. They are supposed to call me in the morning with the estimate for labor. I hope State Farm doesn't try to play me on my claim.

I will keep you guys posted.

 

[Adventureboy]

@Ford Motor Company, this is a common enough issue that Ford should take action on the materials or methods used for wiring our electrically complex vehicles. Clearly, the Soya-based wire insulation is not automotive-grade, and the critical wiring is not adequately shielded. Too much of our wiring is simply open below for the critters.
Probably wasted typing, but there are WAY TOO MANY issues with rodents chewing on wiring.

 

[Rich FBGTX]

Been there a few times. Maybe 3 times with my Lightning and once with my PHEV Escape. Only difference is that I always park them on my carport nowhere near any brush. The Lightning has a pet mouse and the Escape had a squirrel.
Seems like they invade during our two cold months here in central Texas and especially if you don't move the vehicle for an "extended" period. In the Lightning, the mouse set up a nest in the nook at the left fender well and firewall. The Escape has nice nesting shelves between the radiator and headlights. The squirrel was pretty cozy.
I've installed the mystical rodent repellent noise and light boxes. Not sure how effective they are.
I've pretty much resigned myself to weekly inspections. In fact, I 'permanently' removed the shrouds around the frunk in the Lightning to make it easier to look around.
IMHO, this should never happen. Auto makers have the resources to develop wire insulation that bored rodents won't chew on. Right now, repairing chewed wires must be fairly profitable?

 

[Zprime29]

Auto makers have the resources to develop wire insulation that bored rodents won't chew on. Right now, repairing chewed wires must be fairly profitable?

Putting my conspiracy hat on, they found a way to get us into the service bays!

 

[Nolander]

One would think there is some aftermarket solution you could spray on the appetizing parts to make them unpalatable. Something like deer repellent.

 

[Zprime29]

One would think there is some aftermarket solution you could spray on the appetizing parts to make them unpalatable. Something like deer repellent.

There are, I've seen half a dozen posts over the years. Some seem to work, some don't, some only in certain regions of the country, seems like a crap shoot. We have pack rats here that have gotten into some co-worker's vehicles. One have started using led strip lighting under his RV to deter them. That's worked for him thus far.

 

[Rich FBGTX]

It seems they really don't like flashing LED lights. Unfortunately, neither do my neighbors!
As for any of the other solutions...it IS a crap shoot.

 

[Nolander]

Well I park mine in my barn in which lives my barn-cat which I obtained primarily for this very reason Many areas have feral-feline organizations from which you can adopt a barn cat. You provide food and water and they keep the rodent population at bay.

 

[tfitzgex]

One would think there is some aftermarket solution you could spray on the appetizing parts to make them unpalatable. Something like deer repellent.

Honda as Rodent Tape
https://www.collegehillshonda.com/product/4019-2317.html

Why can't @Ford Motor Company put such tape on critical wiring components?

 

[Nolander]

Honda as Rodent Tape
https://www.collegehillshonda.com/product/4019-2317.html

Why can't @Ford Motor Company put such tape on critical wiring components?

$46!!!! That tape should be magical....

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