Vehicle recalls are almost always a straightforward piece of news. A rocker arm is weak, or the seat belt assembly is faulty. The airbag could fire at any moment, decapitating the driver, and leaving the car pilotless at 80 mph. Take your car to the dealer who will, blah, blah, blah. Once in a while, though, Gildshire comes across a recall that grabs our attention. That’s what happened today when we found out that Honda is recalling over 105,000 Ridgeline trucks. They can break if exposed to the sudsy cycle at your local Mister Car Wash. Such a recall would interest websites far less inquisitive than Gildshire, so we decided to look deeper into the matter.
Things had been going so well for Honda when it came to the Ridgeline. A simplified trim range drew positive reviews from buyers. Above average fuel efficiency is a plus. A five-star safety score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a feat that Honda can sell to prospective buyers. All in all, the Ridgeline had a fantastic 2018. More than 30,000 customers drove one off the lot. In fact, the last two years are the Ridgeline’s two best-selling years. Good news for Honda all over the place! They were on top of the whole SUV/CUV/Crossover thing, the Accord and Civic were moving nicely, and they were selling pickups like hotcakes, as well. What could be better news?
What could be worse news for Honda? The company is required to inspect 106,683 copies of the Ridgeline pickup for a potential fire risk. The NHTSA says that “exposure to acids, including car wash soaps, may result in the fuel pump feet port cracking, thus increasing the risk of fire.” Ridgelines from model years 2017 through 2019 are affected. Honda states that it will, if necessary, install a brand new fuel pump cover that will protect the pump assembly from all acids, and particularly the kind of acids common to the car wash industry.
Honda Ridgeline
This recall starts in the first half of next month, and Ridgeline owners should contact…well, you know the rest.
Already, Honda is dealing with recalls that have negatively impacted a company known for reliability. Some of the company’s recent service campaigns include a second recall for 646 cars (a re-recall, if you will) because of improperly installed airbags. The manufacturer must also repair its 1.5-liter turbo engine due to potential gas leaks into the lubrication system. This process began in five northern U.S. states but has since moved southward into more than a dozen additional states.
Of course, the largest Honda recall situation over the last few years was due to the sensor located on the negative battery cable in the engine compartment of over 1.1 million Accords. In that instance, the malfunction could lead to engine compartment fires.
So, Honda Ridgeline owners should take care of the recall as soon as a fix is possible. Ask your dealership for a free truck wash as part of the deal. After all, you didn’t dare have it washed on the way to the recall.
