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Comments
Just got this truck and barely have 30 miles on it.
Also, about half the time I notice a slight hesitation on the part of the truck to accelerate from a dead stop...wondering if this will go away after the break-in??
Thanks.
D.
I'm pleased to say that in my two month of ownership I'm very pleased. :shades: Have hand washed it several times, have been in the rain 2-3 times with no wet interior...Thank God!!!!!!!!!
Truck is terrific when working right, but these issues are really driving me nuts.
1. Drivers door doesn't close unless I slam it.Delearship said it is such because it's a truck.
2.Passengers rear left door (when one faces the RL from the front )has to be slammed even harder to close.Delearship can't fix it either.
3. Panel exterior fit on the drivers side near the bumpers does not level with each other.DELEAR SAID THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, COZ IT'S A FACTORY FLAW.
4. The roof dent created by the delearship who installed my roof rack was repaired but it doesn't look symmetrical to the undented portion.The only consolation was that it aint that obvious because its on the roof.
5.TRIED TO RENT A UHAUL TRAILER YESTERDAY, BUT THE LIGHT CONNECTION AINT WORKING CAN'T SIGNAL RIGHT OR LEFT TURN.Wasted my whole day.Had to postphone hauling tree cuttings from my home to the dump site some other day (had 8, 150 foot trees cut in my backyard). WISH ME LUCK GUYS THAT SOME IDIOT WON'T THROW A CIGARRETE BUTT NEAR MY HOUSE AND START A BRUSH FIRE AND BURN DOWN MY HOUSE. WISH ME LUCK TOO THAT THE WEATHER WON'T BE TOO HOT AND START A SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION ON THOSE DRIED LEAVES.Now imagine working today for 12 hours 11 am-11 pm anxious if you still have a house to go home tonight.
Repairs on the RL hitch can be done for free only from the Honda delearship I bought it. Had to drive about 100-120 miles RT to have this repaired. Honda delearships near my house gave a ball park repair figure of $150. Guess the driving 100-120 miles is the better option.
This RL has caused me so much in time, money and emotional drain. To future RL owners, skip the first year model, but if you insist on getting one please inspect your purchase inch by inch to your satisfaction. :sick:
Although I do see what people mean about the rubber gasket for the rear roof trim. When I installed my rear camera I had to remove that trim piece. When I reinstalled it I wasn't impressed with Honda's rubber gasket so I added a touch of silicone caulk to each piece as I reinstalled them. Since the rear roof trim snaps into these holders no one will see any caulk.
As for the doors, the doors should all close easily. If the dealer is giving you the run around, call Honda directly and complain. The problem is the dealership not the truck in this case.
Esp. bumper covers.........................
At the conclusion of my phone call he, ask me if I still have LITTLE PROBLEMS (in a sarcastic tone) that I need to voice out.When I told him "SIR WHEN YOUR TRUCK ALMOST BREACHES THE $38,000.00 MARK BECAUSE OF EVERY CONCEIVABLE ACCESORRY I ADDED, EVERY SMALL PROBLEM BECOMES A BIG ONE". He apologize halfheartedly and told me thats not what he means. My inability to speak straight English must have suggested to him I'm too dumb to read in between the lines and comprehend whats rude communication and whats not.I HOPE THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE REALLY RECORDED SO THAT HONDA MANAGEMENT COULD RETRAIN THEIR COSTUMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TO treat everyone fair and not to take for an idiot some guy with an accent who can't talk straight English :sick:
Yes, I have the same problem on a one month old ridgeline. It shows texaco gas stations that are no longer in service or even around. I just haven't had the time to get to the dealer and find out what gives. The version in my nav must be 5 years old.
Not bad for a $35,000 vehicle. Other than that everything is ok except the gas mileage is not close to what it should be.
Tom
I have 2006 Ridgeline, month old. I see old locations on Navigation also. Latest Version of DVD Disc is 4.13.
You can find your Disc Ver: # on the Disc in the Player under drivers seat. Push eject button and remove Disc.
Dont have to go to dealer. Go here - https://iweb.alpine-usa.com/Hondadvdsales/naviorder.php - and as soon as you type in the Year and Model oy your vehicle watch at top of screen. The lataest Ver # for your vehicle, that is available, will pop up in RED type. Orders are $185.00 per disc.
4.13 must be pretty old since streets in my area that are 2 years old are not on the current Disc.
Save your money until newer Disc is out.
I dunno if someone said this already, but Hondas strategy of releasing the pricier models first was a bad move. Drove away people with smaller budgets to buy domestics selling at employee prices.Those potential costumers wouldn't be available for 3 maybe 5 years.Factor in unending gas price increase, and my 18 mpg ave Ridge becomes a certified gas guzzler.
Issues like leaks on the RL when entering a carwash/rained on may have scared other costumers too.
As for me I'll never buy a Honda first year product. The costumer service is terrible and my RL has too many problems albeit minor ones that neccitates delearship service.
FOR ALL THE RL'S PROBLEMS I STILL BELIEVE IT IS THE BEST MIDSIZE TRUCK.HOWEVER BUYING IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT IS OUT OF THE STORY.NO MORE FIRST YEAR MODELS FOR ME EVEN IF ITS FROM HONDA.
1.Although I need to be thankful for not having problems as bad as your guys such as interior water leaks, my Ridgeline ownership is begginning to sour badly.
Truck is terrific when working right, but these issues are really driving me nuts.
1. Drivers door doesn't close unless I slam it.Delearship said it is such because it's a truck. WHY THEN THAT MY PILOTS DOORS CLOSE SO SMOOTHLY?
2.Passengers rear left door (when one faces the RL from the front )has to be slammed even harder to close.Delearship can't fix it either.
3. Panel exterior fit on the drivers side near the bumpers does not level with each other.DELEAR SAID THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, COZ IT'S A FACTORY FLAW.
4. The roof dent created by the delearship who installed my roof rack was repaired but it doesn't look symmetrical to the undented portion.The only consolation was that it aint that obvious because its on the roof.
5.TRIED TO RENT A UHAUL TRAILER YESTERDAY, BUT THE LIGHT CONNECTION AINT WORKING CAN'T SIGNAL RIGHT OR LEFT TURN.Wasted my whole day.Had to postphone hauling tree cuttings from my home to the dump site some other day (had 8, 150 foot trees cut in my backyard). WISH ME LUCK GUYS THAT SOME IDIOT WON'T THROW A CIGARRETE BUTT NEAR MY HOUSE AND START A BRUSH FIRE AND BURN DOWN MY HOUSE. WISH ME LUCK TOO THAT THE WEATHER WON'T BE TOO HOT AND START A SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION ON THOSE DRIED LEAVES.Now imagine working today for 12 hours 11 am-11 pm anxious if you still have a house to go home tonight.
Repairs on the RL hitch can be done for free only from the Honda delearship I bought it. Had to drive about 100-120 miles RT to have this repaired. Honda delearships near my house gave a ball park repair figure of $150. Guess the driving 100-120 miles is the better option.
This RL has caused me so much in time, money and emotional drain. To future RL owners, skip the first year model, but if you insist on getting one please inspect your purchase inch by inch to your satisfaction.
To potential RL owners,first, include in your test drive, driving the RL your eyeing to the automatic carwash 2x,then inspect the interior thoroughly if anything got wet.SECOND, pass by the nearest Uhaul (b4 driving home) after your purchase and the hitch installed, test the light connection from the RL to the TRAILER.May sound stupid but if you are buying your RL from another far away state, it may be one of the smartest move you made.My assumption that those hitch lights would work would cost me one wasted day, about 120 mile RT, wear and tear on my truck and several gallons of expensive gas,not to mention a stroke inducing adrenalin rush secondary to unscheduled delearship visit..
MORAL OF THE STORY, BUY YOUR RL BAREBONES, AND HAVE ALL THE ACCESORIES YOU WANTED INSTALLED IN THE DELEARSHIP NEAREST YOUR HOUSE.If problems pop up you dont have to waste a whole day or tons of gas to have it repaired by some out of state delearship where you buy your RL.
You made reference to removing rear roof trim piece. Can the camera be mounted there or anywhere except on rear cargo door?
Also is the wiring for camera a simple plug-in to an existing socket under the dash or do you have to get into the rear of Navigation unit to install it?
Tom
Google Honda accessories, most online stores also post the PDF installation manual.
Since the camera is surface mounted it does create a bump on the rear. I suppose you could mount it somewhere else but you would have to fabricate a new trim cover for it.
The wires are run to the navigation computer under the driver's seat, the unit in the dash is the display only.
Because of the way the wires are run under and behind trim sections instead of just exposed under the truck, it does take a lot of time to install. There are detailed tips on the Ridgeline Owners Clubs that supplient the Honda instructions.
The camera is GREAT for parking lots (last few feet) and street parking. For general reversing it's better to look behind you. It also makes for impressive coupling to my trailer! I suppose it is cheating though
I am very happy with the camera.
Oh well, sounds like a neat tool. Thanks again.
Joe
It is possible to install a switch so the camera is on when driving forward, however since the reverse lghts are on the same circuit it take a bit of thought so the reverse lights don't come on when the camera is on and you are driving forward.
The other catch is that the nav computer uses the signal for the reverse lights to tell what way the car is driving. When driving with the camera on you can still get voice prompts but they will be messed up since the computer thinks you are driving backward.
I don't know the video signal specs for the camera, never got around to measuring them.
I had considered a Ridgeline but will hold off until Honda gets its act together on what is a very promising design!
I had considered a Ridgeline but will hold off until Honda gets its act together on what is a very promising design!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
With the exception of the water leak into the interior, I havent read any other major issues on the RL.
However even minor problems that needs several delearship visits requires a very patient person with lots of free time to sit in delearship rooms while waiting for the repairs to be done.If patience aint one of your virtues, skip the first year model of the RL.You'll save yourself from the crappy costumer service representative too who called my problems in a sarcastic mocking voice on my almost $38000 RL "small as in tiny problems"
The problem of the Nav getting a signal that the vehicle is going in reverse would only be temporary since you would only have the override switch on for a few seconds to see whats going on behind you or look at your trailer and load.
---------- = wiring
---------> = a diode (from Radio Shack)
reverse lights wire +12 vdc-------diode >--------|
(from bulbs)
|-------- to camera trigger (input)
+12vdc---(override switch)---------diode >--------|
Anyway, this is all getting a little over-board because I guess you could just look in your rear view mirror to see you trailer. But on my motor home I can't do that and it's nice to keep an eye on the trailer tires and monitor the load once in awhile.
It's all just an interesting idea someone could try if they had the need.
Note: Current will only flow in the direction of the "arrow" of a Diode.
The (reverse lights diode) could be located anywhere in the wiring that
sends +12vdc to the back-up bulbs. That will keep the override switch
from back-feeding and lighting the bulbs.
Ok, thats it, enough already ! No more from me.
Joe
Granted there is still some time, but these problems seem very minor when you compare them to the first year releases of other vehicles. I almost bought a Nissan Titan last year when they first came out, but the large volume of problems that people had with them made me hold off. And those were serious problems, especially with the brakes, not just minor inconvenience problems.
A few issues stand out for me, in order of importance. Over both of these is Honda's apparently lack of desire to do anything about them.
1. Putting truck in park doesn't unlock all doors (this isn't a misprint, it's a manufacturing issue between Honda & vendor)
2. Trip computer has apparently been "disabled" - a conscious choice by Honda to avoid complaints about MPG
My wife has an '03 (first year) Accord EX V-6 w/Leather that we love and have had no issues with...and I was going to go Ridgeline or MDX (after driving both -- not sure if I'll need the truck bed long-term) but now I'm thinking of heading Toyota way.....guess we'll see what they do with next year's models.
Try here http://www.rolltopcover.com/customerphotos-honda.htm
Less $$$ then Honda's and Without Leaks.
Has anyone had experience with this cover?
Joe
1. It's true, putting the truck in Park only unlocked the front driver door, a feature which anyone who rode in the truck found annoying. You can turn off the auto lock feature to avoid this problem, at least that's what I did. Now my doors all stay unlocked all the time, of course I don't have any kids in the back seat to worry about though.
2. My trip computer works fine and I always reset it so I can track just how crappy my gas milage is. Luckily I only have to fill up once every 2 weeks. I don't think that Honda is deliberatly "disabling" the trip computer.
If you talk to the guy that had the most problems on the ROC forum, you'll find all of his issues have been resolved and he's a happy camper. There really weren't alot of others that had problems.
I myself have had an absolutly trouble free experience for the last 4,000 miles on and off road. This vehicle has been a joy to drive. As far as Toyota is concerned you are aware of all those problems they are having with the 05 Tacos aren't you? Man, you might have to scoot over to Ford and Chevy for those truly trouble free vehicles.
True for the Ridgeline and the Tacoma. Seems like there's more Tacoma problems? Toyota has sold 8-10 times more Tacomas than Honda has sold Ridgelines.
Check YTD, not just one month.
There's been something like 80-90k Tacomas sold, and about 10-11k RL's sold, as of June 30. Time of availability is a huge factor. The Ridge is an early '06 that didn't really get flying until March, 2005. The '05 Taco's been available since late 2004.
I'm not at all trying to say numbers mean one is better than the other, but with 70-80,000 more examples on the road, they're certainly will be a difference in the number of issues reported on sites like this.
John
went to uhaul to rent a trailer. having once got suckered into renting a trailer that had no lights(on a previous vehicle), i checked them out (brought a co pilot) myself instead of trusting the rental guy.
no trailer lights, so i refuse to rent the trailer. they say for xxx dollars, we can set up some new wiring direct from battery that is guaranteed to work. i said no thanks, went to radio shack and bought an electrical tester. guess what, everything worked. it was the trailer that would not ground.
went to another uhaul place told them my truck was fine, so they need to give me a trailer that had working lights. the guy had to wire an adapter out of my flat 4 that included a ground wire. it seems the trailer tries to ground to the tow vehicle. if it can't, no lights. i still have the little wire setup somewhere. i took it off before i went into the office to return the trailer.
1. I left my house at 7:40 am, My stupid GPS took me to the "FASTEST ROUTE" route 395 right in the heart of traffic jammed DC. Arrived at the out of state VA delearship 9 am.
2. My appointment was for one free oil change (first one) and to have the wiring on the trailer hitch fixed.
3. At 11:35 am, my car had it's first oil change and after a "supposedly thorough test" they told me their is nothing wrong with the wire connections on my trailer hitch. My argument that their is really some thing wrong fell on deaf ears, so I borrowed the delearships yellow pages and call the nearest uhaul. I left the delearship around 12:15 (15 minutes was spent by this guy looking for my RL in the sea of Hondas, he later found out it wasn'nt in the parking lot rather twas still inside the shop.) noon and arrived at the nearest Uhaul in Lorton VA about 9 miles away.The loung que at the U-haul and the 102 degress fahrenheit temp registering on the RL's temp gauge made the process even more painful.MY MIGRAINES WAS KILLING ME.
4. I was back at the delearship around 1:30 pm with a Uhaul trailer in tow.I occupied the middle of the three lanes where Honda cars fall in line for servicing, so I get immediate attention. I'ts nice to see customers staring at a new RL needing some repairs in plain view of everyone.The trailer made it impossible for the Honda servicement to drive it inside the shop thus they gave me priority and I believe their ace mechanic was summoned (an elderly gentlemen with 27 years as claimed experience).
4. At exactly 3 pm to my amazement, one of the costumer service guys approach me and told me that the wiring on the trailer hitch is now working.I guess having your Honda repaired in plain view of costumers is a whole lot faster.
5. Upon driving my RL out of the dealership at 3:15 pm. I saw the TPMS lights on for the very first time so I had to make a difficult U-turn. The CS guy not even hiding his exasperation told me just to drive it and it will dissapear.I went back to where I rented the Uhaul and decided against returning back to the delearship for TPMS checkup for fear of catching the traffic going home to MD.I left U-haul in Lorton VA at 3: 45pm. I arrived in MD at 5:20 pm.MY MIGRAINE COMBINED WITH A 102 DEGRESS TEMP HAS AN AMAZING WAY of LETTING ME SWEAR NEVER TO OWN HONDAS NOT JUST ON IT'S FIRST YEAR BUT ON ITS SECOND YEAR AS WELL.
HERES MY QUESTION GENTLEMEN, HOW DO I GET HONDA TO PAY FOR MY ONE WASTED DAY, UHAUL RENTAL, GASOLINE WASTED,STROKE INDUCING MIGRAINES AND CRAPPY COSTUMER SERVICE.Guess I'll have more luck emptying the sea using a spoon.
YOU DON’T, sometimes life blows and you just have to suck it up and drive on. If you were to remove your head from your rear, you might realize that you’re not the only one in the world that has issues, and it might not hurt so bad. It really makes me sick to hear people crying so much over petty crap! Dry your eyes so you can see that you had a bad day and press on with you life.
Don’t think I’m just talking noise, I’m a Ridgeline owner as well. I’ve had issues, refer to messages 41, 42, and 44.
My truck had less than 700 miles on it and was leaking transmission fluid. To top it off, I LIVE IN GERMANY. There is not a Honda dealership over here that has ever seen this type of vehicle.
So what did I do?
I laid on the ground, cried like a baby, and tried to get everybody in the world to feel sorry me!
HELL NO, I got on the Honda web site, called the customer service department, explained the situation, took their advise and pressed on. Guess what I have now? A LEAK FREE TRUCK!!
Hats off to Honda’s customer service department, they really know how to take care of customers. Way to much happened through out the multiple phone conversations to explain here, but I’m very impressed with the amount of time and attention I received.
I guess the old saying holds true, you can catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar
Upon driving my RL out of the dealership at 3:15 pm. I saw the TPMS lights on for the very first time so I had to make a difficult U-turn.
Don’t know how to pull a trailer, don’t hook up to one, or find someone who can.
“EASY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM”
When You buy a Honda or Toyota, you buy it because it came with the supposedly " less problems ownership".The old Toyota RAV4 I had which I bought for $20,000 was problem free from day one.No unscheduled visits whatsoever.My RL breached the $38,000 mark thus I expected something more. Wait not even more, I just wanted no unscheduled delearship visits and I already had many.I don't have the luxury of wasting my day sitting on a delearships waiting area, I have a REAL job that is physically and mentally exhausting and on my day off the last thing I wanna do is sit on delearship waiting areas.
Now what am I supposed to do with the trailer that I brought to the delearship just to prove their diagnostics on my wiring was wrong? leave it there? I am not good but not bad with trailer driving but it prove useful to expedite repairs. Believe me in this great country racism albeit suttle.still exist. Honda costumer service gives you crap for not speaking straight english and the delarship likewise dismiss your concerns as baseless unless you argue with them big time or brought a U-haul along to prove them wrong.
I am an operating room personnel who also deals with trauma, and I realize everyday that my life is blessed a thousand times more than my patients so you don't have to preach to me that it's not only me who has a bad day. When it comes to a truck that cost one $38,000 and a HONDA, all that unscheduled delearship visits shouldn't be part of the ownership experience.My RAV 2003 (sold), Mazda RX8 04,Pilot 03, Frontier 05 (lease taken over my brother) never had unscheduled delearship visits.The RL, what can I say, I'm saving up some money and vacation time for another delearship visit anytime soon. :sick: :sick:
I got a great deal on a great ride. I've had Toyota's( trucks & cars), Accords, Lexus, American JUNK!!, VW JUNK!!, and the Ridgeline rides just as good as my RX 300 did. It's versitile. My clubs fit in the trunk and I used it to pick a new clothes dryer today which saved me a $45 delivery charge.
B4 you buy, run water down the windshield, if no leaks, buy it!! Don't go crazy with all the adds. I added the bug shield, fogs & R splash guards. It looks great!!! :shades:
Your kidding right?????????????
From the posts here and the other ridgeline forums these vehicles seem
like REAL pieces of JUNK !
But the honda faithful will hopefully continue to line up like sheep for the slaughter.............or its gonna be a orphan like the subie baja......
I have NO dealer add on options, none. I do not have any leaks, issues with tire gauges, or any type of door closings issues. I just turned the milage to 7400, had my first maintenance work done (100 bucks to honda to tell me its fine, ripoff), and it runs great. If I had to point out my only flaw with the truck so far, its the simple fact that the power door lock button is backwards. Its designed in all RL's that pushing this button up on the drivers panel LOCKS the doors, and pushing it down UNLOCKS. Hope they correct this in later models, and as its NOT a flaw with my RL but a design poorly issue, who knows. Perhaps they wanted to be different.
Hmmm.... explore other boards here and see if Honda is really junk based on 20 problem vehicles on the Ridge out of 10k sold and see what other makers have any problems. Find a vehicle with not one dissatisfied customer, I don't think you will
Wow, that sounds like a bad day. It IS a big deal to spend $38K of hard earned money and have the same problems you'd get from a used car lot. I bet you'll get the bugs worked out of it. Then try to put it behind you. The dealership should give you a rental car and let you be free to live for a day or two while they work on it. Tell them you post here and one potential buyer is having bad forebodings. Ther is a Toyota dealer in my area that is almost criminal -very unlike the other ones I've used. Good luck to you!
From the posts here and the other ridgeline forums these vehicles seem
like REAL pieces of JUNK !
But the honda faithful will hopefully continue to line up like sheep for the slaughter.............or its gonna be a orphan like the subie baja......
That's odd I'm on all the RL forums, and 99% of the people on them that are owners love their RLs. I am a owner with 4,000+ miles and my experience has been stellar. I didn't know I could be so happy with a vehicle. My experience is typical of the RL owners on forums. It's obvious you hate Honda and are biased. your motives are suspect.
owner that comes here with problems. Then the honda faithful RIP
them into pieces because they are having severe problems and
typical lousy honda dealer service.....like its their fault they just
purchased a problematic vehicle and can't get it fixed !...............
Gear....I see your posts elsewhere ripping on other troubled ridge
owners also. Sure glad your happy......................... :confuse: