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Honda Ridgeline Maintenance and Repair
Honda Ridgeline Factory Defect Alert
submitted by a Ridgeline owner
RIDGELINE TRUCK: MAJOR INTERIOR WATER LEAKS ON FIRST PRODUCTION RIDGELINE TRUCKS
As of this writing Honda has not sent notice to the Honda Dealers about a water leak problem that was discovered months ago by Honda and may affects some esitimated 1500 to 3000 trucks. As of 5/26/05
submitted by a Ridgeline owner
RIDGELINE TRUCK: MAJOR INTERIOR WATER LEAKS ON FIRST PRODUCTION RIDGELINE TRUCKS
As of this writing Honda has not sent notice to the Honda Dealers about a water leak problem that was discovered months ago by Honda and may affects some esitimated 1500 to 3000 trucks. As of 5/26/05
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That's a bit extreme don't ya think. Mine doesn't leak, and even if it did it's a easy fix. I guess you'll be on horse back because there is no perfect vehicle.
No kidding !!! I agree. This is a simple fix. I'm not even sure why this thread is allowed to continue. It should be a READ ONLY.
Oh, by the way what about the damage to the interior, what about the gallons of water that accumulated on the inside of your new truck from the day it was built and shipped to you?
Dusty
1.The drivers door doesn't close unless I slam it, is their anything that can be done other than the lubing that the delearship did to make it close easier, and in one attempt only? I got so used to my 03 Pilot that closing all doors shut can be done so gently and in one attempt.
2.The rear passenger door on the right side doesn't close at all unless I double my slamming force. Before repairs were done on this door, the delearship I brought it from closed it for me with the instructions not to open that door till I come back for it to be repaired, and to have my accesories installed.The situation only improved a bit, and presently this door doesn't close on one attempt, their has to be a deliberate effort to slam 2x the force of the drivers screwed up door to make it close.Now I'm wondering how long will my 2 doors stay after all this slamming. Whats the worse case scenario that could happen with this door slamming for the next 5-10 years. Anyone please share troubleshooting tips. I'ts getting on my nerves and eroding my faith on the H brand.
3.A delearship 3 miles from my house priced their accesories lower than the delearship where I bought my truck thus, I had the following done 1.roof racks 2. side steps, 3. Brush under bumper.
BIG MISTAKE ON THE ROOFRACK, IT MADE THE VEHICLE LOOKED BETTER BUT LOUD WIND NOISE HAS TO BE DROWNED BY TURNING ON THE RADIO even louder.I also suspect that the roofrack is the cause why my mileage dipped from 19 mpg to 17 mpg.
Sidesteps are ok, but they make an irritating scraping sound when its raining or when the road is soaking wet. Sidesteps are more for cosmetic purposes, it's functionality can only be appreciated if you have small kids climbing in the truck, or elderly passengers who can't bend their knees and get in the truck without sidesteps.
When the delearship near my place installed the roof rack, they dented the base of the roofrack on the left rearside. Dent is 1/4 inch deep 4 inches long, and 3 inches wide.Will it's repair involve tearing of my interior and pounding the dent from the inside to the outside? Will it cause a leaking problem as mentioned in this forum? Will my airbags still deploy when needed after the delearship tinkered with the dent repair?
To future RL buyers, please check that the doors of your RL closes effortlessly. Bring a camera with you and take pics of the accesories installed and carefully inspect it for screw ups. Take your time inspecting all the small details. Don't let anyone rush you and dismiss your concerns as to much ado about nothing. They are not the one paying for the truck for the next five years.Everything should be to your satisfaction once you shell out $30,000 or more.
The door issue has caused my salesman his added incentive because I clobbered him in the evaluation. It was stupid of me to punish him for Hondas mistake and for my ineptness in checking the merchandise I'm buying. However I wanted to drive a point that he should never sell any car in the future that he himself hasn't inspected to be free of those cosmetic/ functional gremlins. :mad:
This is an expensive lesson for me. I should have never bought any vehicle on its first year of production, I should have seen the warning brought about by my 03 Pilots panic alarm sounding off when ignition keys are turned on fast in cold weather. That Pilot flaw was tolerable though, the RL's door issues, and screwed up accesories are in a whole different league.I feel am gonna get a stroke if I get one more unscheduled visit to the delearship other than for the dent repair. :sick:
Sorry, I don't think it's a big deal. If you want perfection, your on the wrong planet. It's fixed so enjoy your Ridgeline, or I guess you could just keep complaining. Once your trauma wears off, I think you'll enjoy your truck immenseley. It's a great truck. That's why you bought it.
One more piece of advice. The Tonneau Cover (which I have) will cut down on the drag, and looks good too. Don't expect to keep anything dry in however as it's not designed to be water tight. Found that out AFTER I had it installed!
I have not made my position clear as to how I feel about my Ridgeline. I think it is a great truck and enjoy it very much. It's outstanding design concepts make it a benchmark in the truck industry and a true leader innovator in the new generation of SUT's. It also comes with the Honda stereotype of quality and confidence in the company. Your right, that's why I bought it.
That being said, what you refer to as my complaints are in fact my position regarding the other collateral damage to the truck which is NOT repaired as a result of the massive water leaks. Items that were not even addressed by Honda. The salt infused rains of the of our Coastal Pacific Northwest have already started rusting the interior of the Truck at points like Bolt connections. The water soaked carpet and padding of the truck was NOT replaced, sanitized or even washed, just drier out and reinstalled. The residual Salts and Contaminants are still in my truck. All of the wiring that runs along the floor and connection points of the electrical system that were immersed in the salt rain are now more than questionable for corrosion and malfunction. But as you say, the water leak is fixed.
I don't expect perfection from myself so I certainly don't expect it from others. What I do expect is the best job that can be done by the individual or a company within their own limitations. Honda has proven over the years that they can do the right job. But as in Life or Honda Corporation, someone's lethargic attitude in doing their job correctly only means that someone else will end up paying the price. Do you what to be that someone? A lot of time we don't know things like this are happening around us, so it's impossible to take action. But when it's IN YOUR FACE and you can take action why become lethargic?. The alternative being, you will become the one paying the price.
kcram - Pickups Host
Yes, this would be the most bothersome aspect of your problem. Though, they make a vehicle to last for decades, so I assume the electrical connections are sealed in the interior compartment as well as they are in the engine compartment which can with stand a spray wash. Salt air on the coast I'm sure is taken into account when they design the electrical system. If you actually see rust on bolts, they make products that will stop rust in it's tracks. Still it's a new truck and we always want it to be perfect, but I think the more you drive it the more you'll love it.
I don't expect perfection from myself so I certainly don't expect it from others. What I do expect is the best job that can be done by the individual or a company within their own limitations. Honda has proven over the years that they can do the right job. But as in Life or Honda Corporation, someone's lethargic attitude in doing their job correctly only means that someone else will end up paying the price. Do you what to be that someone?
If I continue to by new vehicles, I'm bound to be that person eventually. We can only protect ourselves by being educated consumers and make the best guess as to quality and buy Honda or Toyota. who else would you take a chance with, Ford, GM, Chrysler. I think not. I would buy your refurbished RL over any of those new vehicles in a heart beat.
To the owner that said this is their first and last Honda, try equating your leak with a Ford F150 that spontaneously combusts in your garage in the middle of the night as a result of a faulty cruise control switch burning your truck and home to the ground. That guy has a right to say "This is my first and last Ford". If you have a leak, it's a bit premature to rule out a Honda for future purchases.
Would you mind posting your dealer info? I've had extremely slight leaking (driver's mat was barely damp) twice & the dealer couldn't duplicate it, although I did make sure the service manager saw the moisture the second time. I'm waiting for the third time; he said they'll tear it down this time while it's still wet. They will replace the carpet, but we both agree that there's no point in doing so until we're sure it's fixed. Anyway, it sounded like Honda was zero help to him. If he could talk to your service manager it might help.
Also, is the tonneau cover really not water tight?
John
I can't help you with the VSA, if you can't get by that, the rest of my response will be useless.
Once you work around the VSA, I suggest that if you lower the pressure more, to say, 11-12 PSI. You should be able to stop, start, reverse, etc... on the beach with proper tire pressure, all without worry of getting stuck. Tires with at least a 70 series aspect ratio help, as well, because taller sidewalls have more room to spread out.
Going faster to keep up the momentum is not the proper way to operate over sand. The beaches I drive on have off-camber hills, nesting shore birds, seals, etc... A properly set up vehicle is far superior than speed!
I was hoping to be able to find out how to disable the tire pressure sensor
I wonder how the sensor works if you change your tire size?
So the Honda owners don't have the "right"?
It amuzes me how some Honda owners will defend Honda no matter what the situation, yet put down every other make of vehicle. Some of these same people will cut up any GM or Ford, even if a GM or Ford owner has had zero problems with their vehicle. The salt encrusted, squeaky, sunroof leaking, door scrunching, transmission recalled, transmission replaced, engine blown, non-starting Honda will always be better.
We do own a relatively trouble-free gen 1 CRV. But if my brand new $30,000+ vehicle had to be torn apart by the dealer, you'd better believe I'd be one unsatisfied customer.
If it was a GM that had to be torn apart, then some would say, "see, that's what you get for buying a GM". But if the same thing happens to a Honda, some say, "you don't have a right to complain about Honda....they make better vehicles than anyone else...."
My point....owners with a bad experiences have a right to be upset and share their experiences and even complain a little. None should have to justify their opinions. We are here to help each other.
Since the vehicle is so new and is not offered in Germany, the local Honda dealership doesn't have a clue where to begin.
My question is, has anybody had a similar problem, and if so, what was the cause so I can point this
I think that engine and transmission is basically derived from the Pilot. The parts should be similar.
I was able to find out that the "gasket for the torque converter case” is what is leaking. Also, it may be possible that where the “VIN” is mounted to front of the torque converter case might also be leaking through the mounting hardware. :sick:
Has anybody else had this problem, or know about this problem? :confuse:
This is crazy, my truck has less than 700 miles on it and is leaking transmission fluid. Must have been build on the Friday of a holiday weekend!
Don't get me wrong, I still love my truck and know that everything in this world has its imperfections, but this is very frustrating.
Any more help or advise will be much appreciated!
Does anyone know if the "newer" builds will have this error? Or is it only some of the first ones out of the factory?
for the best determination of a potential leak? If there is a leak on the vehicle,
would one likely see the results immediately or does it take some time for the water to work its way into the cabin? Would I be looking for wet carpets?
Thanks
Just a small correction. There is a big problem with your vehicle. Mine is fine. Let's not give the impression every RL leaks. This is the best vehicle in it's class.