2006 Honda Ridgeline transmission problems

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 Feb 17, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 118,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 honda ridgeline. While driving various speeds, the check engine indicator illuminated without warning. In addition, a steel washer corroded and caused transmission fluid to leak into the radiator. The transmission and radiator were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.

Filed Jan 4, 2017 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · MN

Bought a used 2006 honda ridgeline with only 90k miles in dec 2015 from a local dealer. Had it less than one year when a single steel washer corroded where the transmission coolant line attaches to the radiator, causing both transmission fluid and radiator fluid to mix. This resulted in a new radiator, lines and now transmission failure - about $4500 of repairs from a steel washer rusting! I've read a lot of blogs and this really is something that honda should issue a recall for. Honda simply states this issue to be caused by "environment" and denies responsibility. All honda would need to do is have put in a washer that wouldn't have rusted! Seriously a small steel washer worth .15 cents is going to cost me about $4500.00 in repairs! With the number of complaints I've read about on blogs I'm surprised more haven't logged this with the federal safety agency. Honda should be responsible for this and I'm considering small claims court against honda of america. This is also an issue with other honda's, not just the ridgeline. At the time of the failure I was at a stop light turning left on a city street. After putting my foot on the gas to start my turn, I heard the transmission make a funny whine noise. I drove about a mile and pulled over to see fluid pouring out of the radiator filler reservoir. My initial repair cost me about $1000 - new radiator, all new lines and several flushes of transmission and radiator. My mechanic said he hoped the transmission didn't get any radiator fluid in it. I drove it about a week and the transmission started to fail. I took the ridgeline to a transmission shop and the owner there was all too familiar with this honda issue. He said my transmission is beginning toast and a rebuild is around $3500.00 - so I have that scheduled to be done soon.

Filed Sep 2, 2016 · Transmission · 150,450 miles · NH

Where the transmission cooling line attaches to the radiator, corrosion occurs in the fitting and this causes the radiator fluid to mix with the transmission fluid. The resulting problem is the transmission starts slipping and the transmission can fail completely. There is a well know problem with the connector that corrodes prematurely. Honda has not recalled this vehicle or issued a service bulletin but honda repair dealers are well aware that this is a class defect with all honda ridgelines and honda pilot vehicles. The unsafe condition occurs when the transmission starts to slip without any warning. There is no warning light that indicates there is a problem. In my case I pulled out onto a busy highway from a side street and the vehicle was uncontrollable because the transmission was slipping all of a sudden. The repair to my vehicle included a new radiator, new fluids and a complete flushing of the radiator and transmission 5 times. This repair cost me over $1200.

Filed Mar 29, 2016 · Transmission · 191,000 miles · MA

Transmission cooler fitting failed catastrophically and transmission fluid mixed with coolant in radiator and engine ran but transmission stopped working at all similar to other failures reported on this site

Filed Jun 8, 2015 · Transmission · 100,102 miles · OH

I had just entered the interstate at approximately 10 pm in moderate to heavy traffic, accelerated to 65 MPH and set the cruise control, I traveled approximately a 1/4 mile when the vehicle shuddered and immediately lost momentum while the engine r.p.m increased rapidly, I turned on the four way flashers and was nearly rear ended as I attempted to get to the right side of the roadway. I had the vehicle towed home where I found transmission fluid in the radiator , I contacted the dealer, they implied they hadn't heard of this problem but quoted an approximate repair of somewhere north of $5,000 for labor,an after market radiator and a rebuilt or junkyard salvage transmission. A quick internet search revealed numerous postings of this issue with several models with the same drive train.

Filed Mar 23, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 169,000 miles · OH

While driving, I suddenly started getting transmission "slippage". Engine would rev up, but no power to the wheels. I was able to pull off the road. There was a strawberry milkshake colored fluid coming out of my radiator overflow container. Turns out the that transmission cooler inside the radiator broke loose and allowed engine coolant to mix with the transmission fluid. Apparently it's not an unknown problem. I'm lucky that I was in a rural residential area and not on the interstate.

Filed Nov 19, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · WV

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!

Filed Feb 26, 2013 · Driver assistance, Engine · 80,702 miles · IL

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.

Filed Jan 31, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 90,000 miles · AK

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.