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.
2006 Honda Ridgeline engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 25 of 25, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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 the federal safety agency and I am hopeful that the fine staff at the federal safety agency 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 honda rigdeline. The contact stated that the vehicle shut off without warning. The dealer made two attempts to diagnose the failure. The electrical system was checked and the battery was replaced; however, the vehicle continued to shut off without warning. The manufacturer was notified and they advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency. The vehicle was at an authorized dealer awaiting diagnostic testing. The current mileage was approximately 68,000. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
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.
On or about january 9th, 2010, I started my 2006 ridgeline to and turned the heat on high to warm it up before leaving my home. When I returned to the vehicle to leave, the entire cab was filled with smoke. My husband located the source of the smoke, coming from under the dash on the passenger side. He found wires sticking out and determined that they were burnt and that we needed to bring the vehicle to the dealership for repair. The vehicle was taken to our local honda dealership and partially repaired. The cost was $451.71. Still, the high low fan switch / knob does not always respond. Occasionally, when the control switch is in the "fan high" position, the fan will cut off. The dealer advised it will be an additional $400.00 for the new switch, not including labor.
Honda ridgeline 2006 air conditioning lines are located right next to an engine bracket. Over time (3yrs) the aluminum pipe wears out causing the freon to leak out of the system and the compressor to stop working. Parts # 24 & 25 had to be replaced at a cost of 400 usd. The new part seem to be made of a bendable material instead of the rigid original and can be bent out of the way of the bracket.
Noticed large amount of smoke at engine start up. Turned off engine checked oil level, discovered it was about a quart low. Last oil change about 3,500 miles prior to event. Topped off oil drove about 25 miles moderate to light smoking from exhaust. Dropped off at honda dealer for maintenance on 27 dec 07. Dealer determined cause to be blown head gasket, requiring new cylinder head estimated repairs due to be complete about 3 jan 08. Call from dealer inquiring about oil change records on 3 jan info provided, truck not ready. Called dealer on 4 jan for status and informed that a new engine is required after guidance from regional service rep. New completion date about 9 jan. Called dealer 11 jan to check on status, new engine installed still smoking, trouble shooting in progress. New cylinder head required for new engine completion due 17 jan 08. Work completed on 17 jan.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 honda ridgeline. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled two minutes later, the powertrain light illuminated on the instrument panel . The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to a local dealer. The dealer stated that a new engine was needed and they replaced the engine. The failure mileage was 39,600 and current mileage was 40,500. Updated 01-14-08. *kb updated 12/12/07.
Honda ridgeline 2006 has considerable hesitation when accelerating from under 10 MPH, especially when turning. I was leaving the parking lot of convenience store rolling at about 5 MPH and then tried to accelerate out into faster moving traffic. Vehicle hesitated for about 3 seconds which put me in a position where cars on the roadway I was entering had to brake. Hesitation is constant and consistent since purchase of the truck. Now I currently have 2000 miles on vehicle. Called honda and they say it's normal for the system of "drive by wire". I have another family member with same vehicle, he has no hesitation. Honda refuses to fix or at least look into my problem as they continue to say it's normal.
Fire in engine bay of new honda ridgeline, debris caught between exhaust and catalytic converter. Major damage. Bought 2nd. Ridgeline. 2 minor episodes of burning smell while using on dirt roads. This is not a coincidence!
We got our ridgeline on march 12 a few days that they had been out, only the second that the duval honda had sold. And we have done nothing but love that truck. On friday 11/25/05 on my way to work, I ahd been driving about 5-8 mintues and then I smelt something a little strange.........coming out of the AC vent. I turned the heater off......the smell of smoke started to get heavier and heavier. I looked into the vent and noticed that there was smoke and fire billowing inside.....not sure where it was coming from...I got out of the truck, called fire/rescue, and began to get most of the belongings that I could. The truck was fully involved by time fire/rescue arrived on scene. I must say that, back in septmber I noticed that the radio which is still stock was wired incorrectly, I mentioned it the last time that I took the baby in for servicing. They said that they would have to take the dash out and have it re-wired the correct way. And that it would be an all day affair, I havent had the time to have that done, and my dealer doesnt offer loaner cars. Am I saying that this is the reason that this happened? I am not sure. As anyone had anything simular??
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