2008 Honda Ridgeline: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 29, 2024 · Engine · 156,000 miles · TX · fire

The contact owned a 2008 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the wheels got stuck in loose deep sand in a field. The husband drove the vehicle forward and backward attempting to get the vehicle unstuck. The contact stated that smoke and flames were coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that the smoke and fire seemed to be a chemical fire. The contact stated that the fire and flames came from underneath the doors. The contact and her husband exited the vehicle safely. The contact stated that after exiting the vehicle, there was an explosion under the hood. The local Fire and Police Departments arrived on the scene. The Fire Department extinguished the fire. The contact was unsure if a Police or Fire report had been filed. The contact stated that no report information was provided at the scene. The contact stated that the vehicle was engulfed in flames within minutes. The contact stated that the vehicle was burned to the ground. The vehicle was left at the location of the fire. The contact stated that no medical attention was needed; however, while the contact was picking up coins her pinkie and index finger on her right hand were burned. The contact stated that the ammunition for the deer hunting trip was in the vehicle and exploded. The contact stated that personal items such as cell phones, purses, and other personal items were burned in the fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

Filed Feb 27, 2014 · Electrical, Visibility · 120,000 miles · MN

Over the course of 2 weeks we would turn the dial for the heat and it would kick in and blow warm air and then it would stop. We took it to inver grove honda to get it fixed and they replaced the blower. It actually worked for about a week, then stopped again ...completely... On a day that it was -20 degrees with wind chill. They now have told us that the wiring for that unit is melted and the entire wire harness needs to be replaced. This is running us around $1800. The mechanic told my husband this isn't the first time he's seen this. We then researched further to find the problem all over the internet. See here: http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=418168 I called honda for an explanation, guarantee that this won't happen again or further start my vehicle on fire. After all, how does a wire melt? It must get hot... Therefore this is a concern to me with children in my vehicle a large percentage of the time. They said they can not guarantee this won't happen again and due to the mileage they can't financially help fund the repair. They have no explanation as to how this happened. The claim number submitted was: [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 10, 2014 · Electrical · 81,000 miles · MN

The blower motor in my 2008 honda ridgeline quit functioning. A local honda dealership found that a dash wire harness needed to be replaced. There was a burnt out pin connector...? I am lucky that my truck didn't start on fire! There is no recall on this 2008 model so I had to pay for this faulty wire harness connection out of my pocket.

Filed Apr 29, 2013 · Electrical · 56,000 miles · SC · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 honda ridgeline. The contact stated that the driver noticed sparks at the vehicle front end. The vehicle was moved to another parking spot and within seconds, the vehicle's hood was on fire. The fire spread to the windshield and the dash board area. The fire department was present. The dealer advised that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 10v001000 (electrical system). The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 56,000.

Filed Apr 12, 2013 · Electrical · 97,000 miles · TN

Smelled burning wires on several occasions but assumed was surrounding environment. On the referenced date the blower motor quit working. Upon further diagnostics the wiring harness from the blower motor was found to be melted at the power wire connection located under the center console. Still trying to get an answer from honda since the '06 '07 ridgelines have a similar safety recall and an online search shows many are having the same issue even into the "08's but without a recall. A burning/melting wire harness is a serious safety issue and shouldn't be ignored.