NHTSA Complaint #10187018 — 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT

I PARKED MY 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT IN MY DRIVEWAY AND OVERNIGHT AN ANIMAL CLIMBED UP UNDER A PLASTIC SCHROUD OVER THE 4 CYL ENGINE AND LITERALLY CHEWED THE MAIN WIRE HARNESS OFF THE CONNECTOR THAT FEEDS THE ELECTRICAL WIRING TO THE ENGINE COMPONENTS , APPROXIMATELY 20 - 30 WIRES. THE WIRES WERE INCHES TOO SHORT TO RECONNECT TO THE ENGINE CONNECTOR, AND THE WHOLE WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $826.00 AT A CHEVROLET DEALER. THIS AREA IS ACCESSIBLE TO ANIMALS, SUCH AS SQUIRRELS/ CHIPMUNKS, ETC. THEY APPARENTLY USED THE WIRING MATERIALS FOR NESTING PURPOSES. SHOULD THIS AREA BE ENCLOSED OR FURTHER PROTECTION BE PROVIDED ON THE WIRING COMPONENTS TO PREVENT FIRES OR MALFUNCTIONING COMPONENTS/SENSORS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS OF SYSTEM FAULTS. EVERY WIRE ON THE CONNECTOR WAS SEPARATED AND SHORTENED OVERNIGHT. IT TOOK THE GM SERVICE GARAGE SEVERAL HOURS TO FIND THIS FAULT, AND WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY GM LIABILITY FOR LEAVING ACCESS TO THIS AREA. *AK