American Honda Motor is recalling 2006-2014 Ridgeline pickup trucks* because collected road salt may cause the frame mounting surface, where the fuel tank mounting bands are attached, to corrode and possibly detach the fuel tank, which can result in a fuel leak or fire.
As of June 9, 2022, Honda has received five customer complaints from the U.S. market between November 2016 through November 2021, and no reports of fires or injuries related to this issue. The driver may hear noises from the fuel tank and/or fuel tank mounting bands impacting the undercarriage area.
In salt-belt states where de-icing agents are used to maintain the roadway, the de-icing agents, along with mud and dirt, could accumulate along the rear frame, where the fuel tank is mounted. Over time, the accumulated de-icing agents/mud/dirt mixture could cause the frame mounting surface, where the fuel tank mounting bands are attached, to corrode and possibly separate from the frame. If this occurs, an unsecured fuel tank can become damaged from undercarriage impact, which can possibly result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire, Honda said in the required NHTSA filing released today.
Chronology:
- November 2016: Honda received the first customer complaint of rust forming near the fuel tank from the U.S. market.
- March 2019: Honda Canada launched an investigation as the Canadian market received multiple complaints of frame corrosion and/or loud noises from the rear frame.
- July 2019: Honda Canada began a market survey of vehicles in the Canadian market to check for corrosion along the rear frame.
- September 2019: Honda began a market survey of vehicles in the U.S. market to check for corrosion along the rear frame. Two additional complaints of frame rust were received to date, bringing the total number of customer complaints in the U.S. market to three.
- August to November 2021: Honda received the fourth and fifth customer complaint from the U.S. market.
- May 2022:As a result of the market surveys, although no reports of fuel leaks have been received from either the U.S. or Canadian market, it was predicted the fuel tank mounting band separation from a corroded rear frame could cause the fuel tank to become unsecured and damaged from undercarriage impact, possibly resulting in a fuel leak.
- June 9, 2022: Honda determined that a defect related to motor vehicle safety existed and decided to conduct a safety recall.
Fix or Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the rear frame for corrosion. Based on the extent of corrosion, the dealer may:
- attach a reinforcement brace, clean the rear frame, and apply anti-corrosive wax.
- attach reinforcement repair plates if necessary.
- repair a corroded frame or
- offer to repurchase the vehicle.
Owners who have paid to have these repairs completed at their own expense will be eligible for reimbursement as required by US law. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 1, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
*Regional recall covers: 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles that were sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Honda Recalls 2006-14 Ridgeline Pickups for Fuel Tank Failures
American Honda Motor is recalling 2006-2014 Ridgeline pickup trucks* because collected road salt may cause the frame mounting surface, where the fuel tank mounting bands are attached, to corrode and possibly detach the fuel tank, which can result in a fuel leak or fire.
As of June 9, 2022, Honda has received five customer complaints from the U.S. market between November 2016 through November 2021, and no reports of fires or injuries related to this issue. The driver may hear noises from the fuel tank and/or fuel tank mounting bands impacting the undercarriage area.
In salt-belt states where de-icing agents are used to maintain the roadway, the de-icing agents, along with mud and dirt, could accumulate along the rear frame, where the fuel tank is mounted. Over time, the accumulated de-icing agents/mud/dirt mixture could cause the frame mounting surface, where the fuel tank mounting bands are attached, to corrode and possibly separate from the frame. If this occurs, an unsecured fuel tank can become damaged from undercarriage impact, which can possibly result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire, Honda said in the required NHTSA filing released today.
Chronology:
Fix or Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the rear frame for corrosion. Based on the extent of corrosion, the dealer may:
Owners who have paid to have these repairs completed at their own expense will be eligible for reimbursement as required by US law. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 1, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
*Regional recall covers: 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles that were sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.