03.12.2025 20:05
In the state of Florida, a water bottle that tipped over in an electric car may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage. The vehicle's wiring harness was completely replaced; the repair costs were neither covered by the warranty nor by insurance.
Michael McCormick, a resident of Florida, faced significant troubles when a small water bottle tipped over in his vehicle. The two-year-old electric car experienced serious technical malfunctions due to the spilled water, leading to costs amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.
IT ALL STARTED WITH A SUDDEN BRAKE The disaster began when McCormick suddenly braked while driving on a Florida highway. The water bottle in the car tipped over onto the back seat, and the spilled liquid spread onto the seat upholstery. What initially seemed like a minor mishap quickly led to serious issues with the vehicle's electronic components.
TURN SIGNALS FAILED, ELECTRIC MOTOR STOPPED The unfortunate man told local media that warning lights on the dashboard began to illuminate just minutes after the water was spilled. Subsequently, the turn signals failed, and the electric motor stopped. The vehicle owner still managed to reach his home.
500,000 TL BILL NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY When the vehicle was taken to an authorized service, it became clear that the situation was much more serious than initially thought. The inspection revealed that a large portion of the wiring harness needed to be completely replaced. The repair bill was announced as $11,882.08. This amount, equivalent to approximately 504,000 TL, was deemed "caused by external factors" by the manufacturer and was not covered by the warranty.
Michael McCormick INSURANCE DID NOT COVER EITHER McCormick applied to his insurance company to cover the costs but received a negative response. The insurance firm claimed that the damage to the wires did not occur all at once and had developed gradually over time due to water leaks, thus refusing to make a payment.
WARNING FROM A CONSUMER ADVISOR A consumer advisor speaking to local media reminded that modern cars are filled with electronic systems, stating, "Today, vehicles are very complex. Even a small issue can significantly increase repair costs compared to the past."