2006 Honda Ridgeline: engine overheating

5 of the 244 complaints about the 2006 Honda Ridgeline describe engine overheating.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 10 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine overheating by model year

2020
1
2019
1
2018
1
2017
5
2009
1
2008
1
2007
3
2006
5

What owners say

Filed Oct 7, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · 147,000 miles · WI · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving approximately driving 50 mph the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. After stopping to inspect under the hood the contact discovered transmission and radiator fluid spraying and leaking within the engine compartment. The contact sustained burns to the left arm from the hot fluids while inspecting under the hood. The injuries did not require medical treatment. The vehicle was towed away and later examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure occurred due to the failed transmission lines that were located inside the radiator which caused the radiator and transmission to overheat. The contact was informed that both the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 147,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · SD

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.

Filed Oct 20, 2009 · Electrical · 30,000 miles · GA

Fan went out, appears that wiring to fan overheated.

Filed Jan 14, 2009 · Visibility · 35,000 miles · FL

Ac/heat fan motor overheating and causing power cable to melt...occurred to my 2006 at 35,000 and 72,000...check www.ridgelineownersclub.com and www.carcompliants.com for more incidents...possible fire damage?

Filed Oct 4, 2008 · Visibility · 160,000 miles · CA

My 2006 honda ridgeline air conditioner blower started to only work intermittently in early september. I put off taking it to the dealership and it then stopped working completely within a day or two. At that point I took it in, the dealer said it was a bad transistor. They replaced the transistor and that did not fix the problem. They then took apart the dash and said the interior air filter was clogged ( I park under a tree in my driveway ) and due to that the blower motor burned up and melted the wiring. The dealership said it would cost $2200.00 to fix, my non-dealer, ex-honda mechanic said he though it was a faulty design or a faulty transistor and heard of others having similar problems. He did not think in any way the internal air filter idea had anything to due with the blower overheating. He recommended to call honda corp in torrance ca. The consequence it I do not have AC in 90 to 100 degree weather in the san francisco bay area in california. Due to the cost, I have yet to fix it, honda has done nothing and we are miserable in the heat.