2006 Honda Ridgeline Complaint Log

WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE I HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT AT 41,000 MILES. THE FAN MOTOR DIAL WOULD NOT TURN ON CORRECTLY. I COULD BE DRIVING THEN IF I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE FAN MOTOR WOULD TURN ON. NOW YOU HAVE TO PLAY WITH IT UNTIL IT TURNS ON TO IT WON'T WORK AT ALL. I THINK IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WIRING BECAUSE MY INSIDE LIGHTS DON'T WORK RIGHT AS WELL. MAP LIGHT ONE SIDE WORKS AND THE OTHER DOESN'T. I REPLACED PARTS AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. *TR

GETTING INTO THE CAR AFTER SHOPPING AT A STORE, I CLOSED THE DOOR AND THEN HAD TO REOPEN THE DOOR TO HELP MY PASSENGER WITH SHOPPING BAGS WHEN I NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. I HAD TO ASK MY PASSENGER TO COME AROUND AND OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY DEFECTS WITH THE DOOR. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE THROUGH ONLINE FORUMS, I SAW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT HONDA'S DOORS AND PROBLEMS WITH ACTUATORS. THE NEXT DAY I NOTICE A LATCH ON THE SIDE THE DOOR AND ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE LATCH TO SEE IF THIS AFFECTS THE OPENING OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR . WHEN I MOVED THIS LATCH, THE DRIVER'S DOOR NO LONGER CLOSED AND COULD NOT BE CLOSED BY THE KEY OR ATTEMPTING TO MOVE LATCH AGAIN. SO I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP WITH THE DOOR WIDE OPEN, HOLDING THE DOOR TO PREVENT IT FROM FLYING OPEN ON TURNS WHILE STEERING THE CAR. THANK GOD THE DEALERSHIP IS LESS THAN 2 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. I DEFINITELY THINK ITS A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN A PERSON CAN GET LOCKED IN THEIR CAR OR CAN MOVE A LATCH MANUALLY AND IT PREVENTS THE DOOR FROM CLOSING ALL TOGETHER. *TR

ENTIRE WARNING LIGHT SYSTEM FAILED WITH LOSS OF ABS AND VSA. *TR

WE PURCHASED OUR 2006 RIDGELINE BACK IN 2009 WITH APPROX 46K MILES ON IT. AT THAT TIME, WE PURCHASED THE HAC (HONDA AUTO CARE) WARR & CONT TO DRIVE FOR YRS WITH LIMITED PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE VEH. AROUND 82K ON THE RIDGELINE (2 YRS AGO), I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE THAT PROMPTED ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER. THEY ADVISED ME THAT IT WOULD BE COV UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT THE WARRANTY WAS EXP IN 2 WEEKS (2 WEEKS, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE 7 YRS AND 100K)?. I INQUIRED ON THE TERMS & EXPLAINED THAT WAS NOT HOW IT WAS POSITIONED TO ME. ROUGHLY 2100.00 FOR A LITTLE OVER 2 1/2 YRS IS NOT WHAT I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING. KNOWING THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRING, I IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED AN APPT FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND TO HAVE THEM REVIEW THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TOP TO BOTTOM (NOTHING DISCOVERED AT THAT TIME). WHERE THE PROBLEM CREATES: LAST WKD, HIT 101K & THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS W/ THE VTM-4 LIGHT. I KNOW THERE ARE USUAL CODES FOR REG MAINT, BUT SEEING HOW I HAVE HAD VEHICLES TRIGGER LIGHTS AT 100K FOR REGULAR SERVICING THAT WAS OUTSIDE OF THE MANUAL, I THEN CONTACTED MY SERVICE CTR TO INQUIRE. HE REVIEWED THE 105K SERVICE WITH ME & STARTED HE WOULD GET BACK TO ME ON ANY CODES. LATER THAT DAY I RECEIVED A CALL STATING THAT THE #4 CYLINDER WAS MISFIRING & THE PLUG ON #4 WAS CAKED WITH BAKED ON OIL. HE RECOMMENDED CHANGING THE PLUGS FIRST BEFORE GOING INTO THE REST OF THE 105K SERVICE. 2 DAYS LATER, THE CHK ENGINE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING & VTM-4 LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. HE LATER CALLS ME TO STATE THE HEAD MAY HAVE A CRACK & EXPLAINS POSS DAMAGE OR STALL. WHAT IF IT STALLS ON THE FREEWAY? WHAT IF THE CAT CLOGS (ANOTHER 600 BY THE WAY) AND MY CAR JUST STOPS WHILE DRIVING THOUGH A INTERSECTION? I READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING & AM SHOCKED HONDA DOESN'T RESPOND TO ANY. I CANT PAY 3K - CALLED DEALER & OPENED CASE WITH HONDA MAIN CSR# 800-999-1009-NO RESPONSE. *TR

MY 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE LOWER TRUNK COMPARTMENT LID WILL NOT OPEN. IT CLICKS LIKE IT WANTS TO OPEN BUT NOTHING. THE KEY WILL ONLY TURN TO ABOUT THE 1O'CLOCK POSITION AND WILL NOT TURN TO THE LEFT AT ALL, IF IS SUPPOSED TO AT ALL. THE CLOVE COMPARTMENT SWITCH WORKS BECAUSE WHEN I PUT IT ON LOCK THE MECHANISM WILL NOT CLICK AT ALL...WHICH IS WHAT'S SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. *TR

THE A/C CONDENSER FAN GET LOOSE AND ITS BLADE WERE MOVING UNPROPERLY MAKING A LARGE HOLE IN THE RADIATOR. SUDDENLY THE RADIATOR LOST ALL WATER CAUSING THAT ENGINE MOTOR BRAKE THE SEALS, PISTON AND OTHER PARTS BECAUSE THE HIGH TEMPERATURE. SINCE THE WATER LEAKING WAS FAST, THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR THAT SHOWS HIGH TEMPERATURE AT DASH CONTROL PANEL EASE NOT CATCH UNTIL THE BIG DAMAGE OF THE ENGINE HAPPENED. THE MECHANIC TECHNICIAN STATES THAT FAIL OF THIS FAN IS COMMON ON HONDA VEHICLE. THE BIG DAMAGE TO MAY PARTS OF ENGINE HAPPENED BECAUSE SUCH A/C CONDENSER FAN FAILED WITHOUT ANY ADVISE AND IS COMMON IN HONDA, BUT NO RECALL OR WARNING HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY HONDA DEALERS OR FACTORY. *TR

BRAKE PEDAL HAS SOFT FEEL AND REQUIRES MULTIPLE PUMPS TO BUILD UP PRESSURE. HAVE HAD BRAKES BLED MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAD MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. AFTER SERVICE BRAKES SEEM FINE FOR A FEW DAYS/WEEKS BUT EVENTUALLY RETURN TO SOFT STATE. SUDDEN STOPPING SITUATIONS OR STOPPING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES WILL CAUSE PEDAL TO GO IMMEDIATELY TO FLOOR AND ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM TO ENGAGE. SOMETIMES ANTILOCK BRAKES WILL ENGAGE EVEN IF NOT ON SLIPPERY OR LOOSE SURFACE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED. GLASS EXPLODED AND FELL INTO DOOR. IT WAS LOUD AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY. *TR

I OWN 2006 RIDGELINE MY RADIO BACK-LIGHT KEEPS COMING OFF AND ON WHEN I TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS IT GOES OUT WHEN YOU TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF IT COMES ON. SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING THE LIGHT WILL FLICKER THEN IT WILL COME AND STAY ON, CANNOT SEE THE TIME NOW I HAVE NO LIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

HONDA SEND ALREADY 3 SAFETY RECALL NOTICES IN MORE THAN A YEAR CLOSE TO 2 YEARS. AND THEY STILL NO GOT THE SPARE PARTS.

STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT WENT TO TAKE OFF AND VEHICLE SHIFTED ODDLY, WENT ABOUT 500 YARDS STOPPED SHUT TRUCK OFF AND OUT POURED THE MILKY TRANSMISSION FLUID. ADDED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO GET IT HOME AND YOU COULD FOLLOW THE TRAIL THE ENTIRE WAY (APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE) AND EMPTY AGAIN (WE FILLED IT). OPENED THE OVERFLOW ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT AND THE SAME STRAWBERRY MILKY FLUID WAS IN THERE COMPLETELY FULL! ALSO OPENED THE RADIATOR TO FIND IT COMPLETELY FULL OF THE SAME STUFF. I HAVE READ MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THANK GOD I WASN'T, I HAD MY ENTIRE FAMILY IN THE TRUCK! IT WOULD BE NICE FOR HONDA TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!!! GOING TO A MECHANIC TODAY, WILL MORE THAN LIKELY BE MAKING A PHONE CALL TO HONDA ONCE THE VERDICT IS IN! *TR

THE TRUCK STRUCK A TREE AND THE HARNESS SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK PROPERLY RESULTING IN A BROKEN BACK IN TWO AREAS CAUSING DISABILITY. THE BAG DID DEPLOY. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW IN 2006 AND NOTICED THAT THE BELT NEVER TOOK HOLD NO MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU THRUSTED THE BELT FORWARD. I BELIEVED KNOWING THAT HONDA IS USUALLY ON TOP OF THEIR GAME THAT THEY FOUND A WAY FOR THE HARNESS NOT TO TUG AT YOU AS THEY USUALLY DO. WHEN I WOOK UP AT THE HOSPITAL AND THEY TOLD ME I BROKE MY BACK I KNEW IMMEDIATELY THAT THE HARNESS BELT DID NOT WORK AND THAT IT WAS A MALFUCTION. IN THE MEANTIME ERIE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE TRUCK AND AFTER BEING TOLD VARIOUS TIMES TO HOLD THE TRUCK AND AGREED TO BY THE ADJUSTER FOR AN ATTORNEY TO LOOK AT IT,THE TRUCK WAS SOLD TO A SALVAGE YARD AND THE CASE WAS DROPPED BY THE ATTORNEY.

2006 HONDA RIDGELINE WITH 140,000 MILES. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED. DRIVING HOME ON 9/18/13 ON HIGHWAY, CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 65 MPH, CAR BEGAN TO LURCH FORWARD A FEW TIMES. GOT OFF AT NEXT EXIT AND REVS BEGAN TO RISE AS IF IN NEUTRAL. STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED FOR TOW TRUCK. NOTICED TEMP METER WAS HIGH, BUT WENT BACK DOWN TO NORMAL WITHIN 15 MINUTES. "STRAWBERRY MILK SHAKE" TYPE LIQUID THEN POURED ONTO PAVEMENT. TRUCK TOWED TO INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION. THE STATION CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLER, WHICH RESIDES WITHIN THE RADIATOR. APPARENTLY THE METAL CONNECTOR THAT SEPARATES THE TWO (CHEMICALLY INCOMPATIBLE) COOLANTS CORRODED, THE FLUIDS MIXED CAUSING THE TEMP TO RISE AND BOIL OVER, THE MIXTURE OF COOLANTS APPARENTLY DESTROYS BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. SERVICE TECH'S HAVE RARELY SEEN THIS BEFORE ON OLDER TOYOTA 4RUNNERS, BUT NOT HONDA'S. HOWEVER AFTER SOME RESEARCH, THERE ARE DOZENS SIMILAR INCIDENTS REPORTED ON THE VARIOUS HONDA FORUMS WHICH INDICATE HONDA'S AWARENESS AND REFUSAL TO ISSUE A RECALL OR ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT RESULTS (LIKE MY $5,765 REFURBISHED TRANSMISSION, NEW RADIATOR, HOSE FLUSHES, ETC.). THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF IN A SAFE PLACE, BUT INJURIES CAN SURELY RESULT FROM THIS PREVENTABLE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEGUN THE PROCESS OF REQUESTING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM HONDA, WHICH BEGINS WITH PAYING FOR A DIAGNOSIS (2ND OPINION) FROM AN AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER. THEY "WARNED" ME THAT THEY CANNOT CONSIDER HELPING ME UNLESS THE DEALER CONCLUDES THERE IS A CLEAR MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *JB

PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK LEAVING CHILDREN UNABLE TO GET OUT OF CAR IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. *TR

FOUND OUT RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION ON HONDA RIDGELINE HAS BEEN HAVING CATASTROPHIC FAILURES DUE TO TRANSMISSION LINE FAILURE. THIS ISSUE WILL CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN WRECKS DUE TO THE VIOLENT NATURE OF THIS FAILURE. THIS WOULD CAUSE IMMEDIATE PANIC TO MY PREGNANT WIFE AND SOON TO BE NEWBORN BABY GIRL. HONDA IS AWARE OF THE FAULTY CONNECTION ON RADIATOR THAT CAUSES THIS ISSUE AND STILL HASN'T ISSUED RECALL. I BELIEVE THEY ARE ACTING NEGLIGENTLY TOWARDS FIXING THIS ISSUE. COME TO FIND OUT NISSAN HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THEIR PATHFINDER AND HAS SINCE PERFORMED A VOLUNTARY RADIATOR ASSEMBLY PROGRAM (HTTP://WWW.NISSANASSIST.COM/WEB/RADIATOR/FAQS.PHP?MENU=22). HONDA ALSO DIRECTED US TO CONTACT NHTSA AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT THE FINE STAFF AT NHTSA WILL TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THIS ISSUE WITH HONDA AND COME TO A DECISION TO HELP CONSUMERS TAKE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO READ THIS AND I HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DO NOT HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. *TR

THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE WASHER USED AT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID JUNCTIONS IN THE RADIATOR. THE FITTINGS AND WASHER ARE MADE OF DISSIMILAR METALS. AS A RESULT, THE STEEL WASHER USED AS A SPACER RUSTS AND CORRODES, THEN SWELLS AND FORCIBLY PULLS THE THREADS FROM THEIR FITTINGS. A CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF FLUIDS INCLUDING AN EXCHANGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT TAKE PLACE, RENDERING THE VEHICLE NOT ONLY INOPERABLE BUT ALSO PERHAPS SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED. THESE FITTINGS FAIL AT RANDOM WITH NO OBVIOUS PATTERN OR ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSE. THE NORMAL "UNDERBODY RUST" DOES NOT SEEM TO CORRELATE WITH THIS FAILURE. I HAVE DONE SUBSTANTIAL RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND MANY OTHERS REPORT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE AND HAVE COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION. I FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AS SUCH A DRAMATIC AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF FLUID COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE, OVERHEATING, AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IF THE ENGINE WERE TO FAIL AND THE VEHICLE WERE TRAVELING AT SPEED, A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER ASSISTED BRAKING WOULD OCCUR. ADDITIONALLY, FINDING A LOCATION TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD IN ITSELF. THIS ISSUE COULD BE EASILY RESOLVED BY CEASING TO USE DISSIMILAR METALS IN THE RADIATOR FITTINGS. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THIS SAME DESIGN IS BEING APPLIED TO ALL HONDA RIDGELINE MODEL YEARS INCLUDING THOSE CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION. ALTHOUGH I CANNOT VERIFY THIS, I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS PARTICULAR PART IN THE 2009 MODEL YEAR REMAINED UNMODIFIED. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED, AS THERE ARE MORE AND MORE FAILURES OF THIS TYPE OCCURRING. IT IS SIMPLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A SERIOUS INJURY OCCURS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE. *TR

I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO A $1000.00 TO TRY AND FIX A RECURRING SOFT BRAKE ISSUE WITH MY 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE. AFTER MANY COUNTLESS HOURS AT THE MULTIPLE AUTO SHOPS AND HONDA DEALERSHIPS I DECIDED TO RESEARCH FURTHER INTO THIS SOFT BRAKE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE. THE BIGGEST ISSUE WAS THAT AT ONE PARTICULAR SHOP THEY CHANGED OUT 5 BRAND NEW MASTER CYLINDERS TO TRY AND FIX THE ISSUE. AFTER EXTENDED HOURS ONLINE, IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE HONDA ODYSSEY/ELEMENT BRAKE SYSTEM AS WELL. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VSA MODULATOR WITH OVER 400,000 VEHICLES. I ALSO FOUND ON OTHER THREADS AND BLOGS THAT OTHER HONDA RIDGELINES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $1500 TO CHANGE OUT THE VSA MODULATOR BUT WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THIS WOULD PREVENT THE SAME ISSUE FROM RECURRING IN THE FUTURE. I EXPLAINED TO THE TECHNICIAN THAT IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECTIVE PART IF ITS ALSO HAPPENING TO OTHER HONDA RIDGELINES. *TR

TRANSMISSION FLUID OIL COOLER LINE EJECTS FROM RADIATOR AS A RESULT OF DISSIMILAR METAL CORROSION...A STEEL WASHER IS USED THAT BECOMES THE CATALYST FOR THE FAILURE. TRANSMISSION FLUID LOSS OCCURS THAT LEADS TO LOSS OF ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE, PUTTING VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN DANGER. *TR

THE COOLING LINE FOR THE TRANSMISSION WHERE IT ENTERS THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR FAILED DUE TO GALVANIC CORROSION. THIS CAUSE A LARGE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOSE THAT CONNECTED FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE ENGINE BECAME DISCONNECTED, CAUSING OIL TO DRAIN FROM THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE COULD BE STARTED BUT COULD NOT BE MOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

MY ODOMETER 'HANGS' AND DOES NOT UPDATE THE DISPLAY TO REFLECT THE FACT THAT I'M DRIVING. PRESSING THE BUTTON TO SCROLL TO TRIPA AND TRIPB AND OIL LIFE DOES NOTHING. THEN THE DOOR OPEN INDICATOR ALSO 'HANGS'. SOMETIMES AFTER THE ENGINE IS RESTARTED THE DISPLAY COMES BACK TO NORMAL WITH UPDATED MILEAGE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE (AS I DID RESEARCH ON INTERNET) AND REPAIR REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT RUNS AROUND $1000. IT SEEMS THAT ALMOST ALL COMPLAINS ARE RELATED TO 2006 MODEL, WITH FEW SINGLE POSTS RELATED TO 2007 MODEL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR TAILGATE LATCH FAILED TO RELEASE IN AN OPEN POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

WE LOVE OUR HONDA'S (3 OTHER), I WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT MY PURCHASE OF A RIDGELINE FROM A LA DEALERSHIP IN DEC 2006. MY NEPHEW PURCHASED IT FROM HONDA FINANCE DIRECTLY AND SHIPPED IT TO UTAH FOR ME AND I HAVE METICULOUSLY CARED FOR AND LOVED MY RIDGELINE! IN DECEMBER AT 93,460 MILES MY TRUCK LOST ITS PERFECT HARMONY ... IT BEGAN PUTTING OUT WHITE/BLUE SMOKE. I HAD AN INCIDENT WHERE THE ACCELERATOR TOOK OFF AND I HAD TO SHIFT DOWN AND BRAKE REAL HARD TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE SPEED. I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-15 THROUGH SALT LAKE COUNTY AT THE TIME, SPEED AROUND 65 MPH. VERY SCARY! SOON AFTER THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I IDLED IT FLASHED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOMENT THAT THE CYLINDER "BLEW OUT". I TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD THAT MY #4 SPARK PLUG WAS "GUMMED" UP AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT, IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED MILEAGE I SHOULD DO A FULL VALVE REPLACEMENT. $785 LATER, THE SMOKE EXHAUST WAS THE SAME AND 3 WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY "SCOPED" THE CYLINDERS AND FOUND #4 HAD "POUCK" MARKS AND HAD LOST COMPRESSION. I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I CALLED 5 AUTO SHOPS IN MY GENERAL AREA AND FOUND THAT 2 OF THEM HAD SEEN THE SAME ISSUE WITH A 2006 RIDGELNE AND A 2007 PILOT. BOTH MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THE OWNERS HAD TAKEN THEM TO HONDA DEALERSHIPS & HONDA HAD REPLACED THEIR ENGINES, THEY "WERE UNDER 100,000 MILES". I DID SO, $97 LATER I WAS TOLD THAT "NO. HONDA HAD DEEMED MY SITUATION NOT WORTHY OF A WARRANTY." WHAT?! I CAN'T EVEN TRADE IT IN TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE WITHOUT THE $5K REDUCTION IN VALUE! I HAVE A HISTORY OF TIMELY AND METICULOUS CARE WITH MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP AND A MECHANIC SHOP, THIS IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED FROM HONDA! YOU MUST HAVE AN ISSUE IF IN MY LITTLE SUBURB 2 OTHERS HAVE HAD #4 CYLINDERS GO BAD JUST BEFORE 100,000 MILES. *TR

TOOK TRUCK TO HONDA DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A NOISE AND SEEMED TO BE GRIPPING AFTER I WOULD RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEY TOLD ME I NEED NEW BRAKE PADS AND NEW ROTORS. THEY TOLD ME THE BRAKE PADS ARE METAL AGAINST METAL, THERE'S TOO MUCH RUST ON ROTORS. THEY WANT $554 FOR THE FRONT, $544 FOR THE REAR. I ASKED IF THIS WASN'T PREMATURE FOR SUCH A WORN BRAKE. I DRIVE THE HONDA 3 TIMES A WEEK ON AVERAGE, MORESO IN THE WINTER MONTHS, AND MY DRIVING HAS BEEN MOSTLY HIGHWAY SO I AM NOT DOING A LOT OF BRAKING. I AM NOT CERTAIN THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BY ANY MEANS. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT WOULD BE ON SUCH LOW MILES. I WON'T BUY ANOTHER HONDA IN THE FUTURE THOUGH. *TR

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT TRIGGER THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER FAILS TO BUCKLE THEIR SEAT BELT OR UNBUCKLES THEIR SEAT BELT WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO A HONDA DEALER ON 07-31-12 AND BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLES OWNERS MANUAL INDICATES ON PAGES 8 & 59 THAT THE INDICATOR REMINDS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER TO FASTEN THEIR SEAT BELTS. THE HONDA DEALER AND AMERICAN HONDA BOTH STATE THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT OFFERS NO SUCH WARNING AND REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A FAULT WITH THE SYSTEM. *TR

MY PASSENGER REAR DOOR GLASS ON MY 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE EXPLODED. I WAS PARKED AT WORK WHERE MY TRUCK WAS VISIBLE AT ALL TIMES. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ROCKS OR GUN SHOTS. WHEN I CLOSED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, THE WINDOW SHATTERED. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE HAD REACHED 95F, BUT THERE WERE SEVERAL DAYS WHERE THE TEMPERATURE WAS HOTTER. *TR

THE REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM HAS FAILED. INITIALLY THE ELECTRONIC KEY WOULD NOT OPEN DOORS OTHER THAN THE DRIVERS SIDE. NOW IT WILL NOT EVEN OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE. THERE IS NO CHANGE USING THE SPARE ELECTRONIC KEY. A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED IN THE EVERY DAY ELECTRONIC KEY AND NO CHANGE. THE PANIC BUTTON IS ALSO NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. *TR

THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING ON MY HONDA RIDGELINE. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL WAS AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. STEERING WAS NOT VERY RESPONSIVE. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY, BUT COULD BARELY STEER. I WOULD TURN THE WHEEL BUT LITTLE WOULD HAPPEN TO THE TIRES. I WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY CONFIRMED THERE WAS NO FLUID LEAKS, NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE. THEY REPLACED THE RACK. I CALLED HONDA AND THEY OFFERED NOTHING SINCE THE WORK WAS NOT AT A HONDA DEALER. I STILL HAVE THE FAILED RACK - I KEPT THE BROKEN PART. HAD I BEEN DRIVING DURING RUSH HOUR, I WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY CRASHED BECAUSE I HAD SO LITTLE CONTROL OVER MY TRUCK. *KB

PASSENGER SIDE REAR STRUT WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 98,000 MILES DUE TO LEAKAGE AND NOISE. REPLACED WITH OEM PART. SAME NOISE RECURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 115,000 MILES. STILL MAKING THE NOISE. BOTH SWAY BAR END LINKS WERE REPLACED, WITH OEM PARTS, DUE TO SQUEAKING NOISE. DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SUSPENSION NOW MAKES LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BAD BUSHINGS CAUSING LOUD THUNKING NOISES. INNER TIE ROD END HAS FAILED, AND PRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA RECALL 14V-351, SAFETY RECALL LETTER DATED APRIL 2015. I HAVE CALLED THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP (BRANNON HONDA - BIRMINGHAM AL) MANY TIMES SINCE APRIL 2015 AND EVERY TIME THEY CLAIM THAT HONDA HAS NOT SENT THEM THE PARTS TO FIX THESE DEATH DEALING AIR BAGS. APPARENTLY, THE NHTSA IS MERELY AN AFTERTHOUGHT TO HONDA! HOW IS ONE SUPPOSED TO GET THE PROBLEM WITH THESE AIR BAG SYSTEMS CORRECTED???

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING THE JACK, THE JACK WOULD NOT LIFT THE VEHICLE HIGH ENOUGH TO SAFELY REMOVE AND REPLACE THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE JACK APPEARED TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE WEIGHT OF A SMALLER VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY NEVER RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE JACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 06/06/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE EMERGENCY LANE WHEN A VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION CRASHED INTO HIS VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR AS SMOKE BEGAN ESCAPING FROM THE THE PASSENGER SIDE VENT AND DEFROSTER. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED A FLAME COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE VENT. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AT THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V001000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL) YET THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A GAP ON THE FRONT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUSING WATER TO SEEP INTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAKING THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM INOPERABLE. THE AIR BAG LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SEAT BELT CONNECTOR, THE FRONT AIR BAG APRON, THE REAR AIR BAG APRON, THE AIR BAG REAR MODULE AND THE ENTIRE COMPUTER SYSTEM BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER GAVE HIM AN EXTRA WARRANTY PACKAGE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

I OWN A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW FROM THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN HEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK. ON DECEMBER 15, 2010, I WAS DRIVING ON UTOPIA PARKWAY IN QUEENS, NEW YORK WHEN I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I HAD THE HEAT ON AND TURNED IT OFF. I PULLED OVER TO CHECK WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AREA, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD, THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE SAME AREA. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO HONDA. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I FIND THAT THIS SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO A NUMBER OF 2006/2007 HONDA RIDGELINE OWNERS. IT IS OBVIOUS THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT AND NOT JUST A COINCIDENCE. I AM WAITING FOR HONDA TO GET BACK TO ME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK ITSELF WHEN IT WAS IN PARK AND DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

I WAS LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT SO I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT CHECKED. I FIGURED THAT WHILE THE TRUCK WAS AT THE DEALER I SHOULD GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF LOOKED AT. TURNS OUT MY RADIATOR HAD BLOWN AND THE VALVES IN MY ENGINE WERE TOO TIGHT AND THEY NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. IT COST ME 800 FOR THE RADIATOR PLUS 400 FOR THE VALVES AND I'VE NOTICED A HUGE GAIN IN MY GAS MILEAGE. *TR

THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT TRIM ON MY 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE KEEPS COMING OFF. HONDA AND THE DEALER HAVE FIXED IT 4 TIMES FOR FREE BUT NOW REFUSE TO FIX IT SAYING THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OVER 100,000 MIKES, THEY NEED TO DRAW THE LINE SOMEWHERE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I DO NOT HAVE THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT AND THIS COMES FLYING OFF WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY STRIKING OTHER CARS. *TR

I WAS INVOLVE ON AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE OTHER CAR FAILED TO YIELD AT A STOP SIGN AND T-BONE MY HONDA RIDGELINE TRUCK. SIDE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. I WAS GOING AROUND 35-40 MPH AND IN MY OPINION HE WAS GOING AT LEAST 25-30MPH. CALLED HONDA AND SAID THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD. *TR

MY 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE STARTED BLINKING OFF AND ON AT THE ODOMETER AREA. NOW IT COMES ON WHEN IT WANTS TO. I HAVE READ TWO OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME NATURE BY TWO OTHER PEOPLE. MY ONLY OTHER COMPLAINT IS THE COMPUTER WENT OUT WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AN THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF THIS. *TR

AFTER ONLY 46K MILES ON MY 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE THE SWAY BAR ENDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO FIX A RATTLE NOISE FROM THE SUSPENSION. IF THEY WERE NOT REPLACED THEY WOULD HAVE FAILED AND DONE CONSIDERABLE MORE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK'S SUSPENSION. THIS WAS A 240.00 DOLLAR REPAIR THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

THE BRAKES ON MY 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE HAVE NEVER WORKED RIGHT DESPITE NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALER. ONE HAS TO PUMP THE BRAKES AT SOME STOPS TO KEEP THE PEDAL FROM HITTTING THE FLOOR. ON ONE OCCASION, I WAS TOWING A LIGHT TRAILER AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP CAUSING A MINOR ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THERE WAS AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE. THE NOISE WAS ONLY HEARD WHEN IN REVERSE AND NOT IN DRIVE OR ATTEMPTING A TURN. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OR TO MAKE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,900.

2006 HONDA RIDGELINE 55-60 MPH IMPACT TO MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT END MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS DID DEPLOYED BUT PASSENGER DID CAUSING INJURIES DURING THE CRASH. I'M VERY CONCERNED WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON THE SIDE OF IMPACT, THE DRIVER SIDE. THIS LEAVES ME RATHER CURIOUS OVER FINDING AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT WILL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO DETERMINE WHETHER THIS MAY BE A TREND OR FLAW IN THE SAFETY OF THE NEW RIDGELINE OR SOME OTHER REASONABLE EXPLANATION? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A T-BONE TYPE OF CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED EXACTLY AS THEY WERE DESIGNED TO. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY DISPUTED THE CLAIM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

FAILURE OF POWER STEERING HOSE. *TR

BROKEN INNER CABLE FROM DOOR HANDLE. FRONT PASSENGER DOOR CAN'T BE OPENED FROM INSIDE. REPAIRING COST IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT SUPPORT ROD STAYED EXTENDED AND BROKE INSTEAD OF FOLDING BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SEAT SUPPORT ROD WOULD BE REPAIRED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 51,000.

REAR SWAYBAR LINK BROKE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS - HEARD LOUD POP WHEN GOING OVER SPEEDBUMP. THIS SUSPENSION COMPONENT IS UNDER STRESS IN TURNS, AND IF IT WERE TO BREAK AT THAT TIME, WOULD SUDDENLY CHANGE VEHICLE HANDLING, POSSIBLE CAUSING A CRASH. DEALER HAS ORDERED PARTS. PART BROKE AT A WELD WHERE THE LINK CONNECTS TO THE VEHICLE BODY. *TR