2019 Honda Ridgeline: gas smell in the cabin

Filed Nov 1, 2024 · Fuel system · VA

Over the last several months the vehicle developed a strong fuel odor in the engine compartment after being driven. I took it to the Honda dealer to identify the cause on 8/30/24, they kept the vehicle for 2 days and were unable to find a problem although they also observed the strong fuel smell. Their recommendation was to return with gas tank less than half full so they could check that. Fuel smell is clearly in the engine compartment, so I took the vehicle to my local mechanic who used a camera to localize the smell/leak to the top of the engine. They recommended removal of the manifold to diagnose further and identified a significant leak between the high pressure fuel pump and the injectors. They replace the fuel joint pipe, six injectors, and high pressure fuel pump cover which was saturated in fuel. Two areas of concern. First, there is clearly an unadressed leak problem with the fuel joint pipe. It is mentioned in several places on the federal safety agency site for this Ridgline model and several related model designs. While this vehicle did not catch fire, a significant leak on the high pressure side of the high pressure fuel pump is a clear hazard and should be analyzed to identify the root cause. Second, Honda needs to proactively address this with their dealer technicians. I have no way to verify if they actually disassembled the top of the engine to access the high pressure fuel pump, fuel joint pipe, and injectors, as they told me, but it didn't take long for my local mechanic to identify the issue once they did. Bottom line is this problem is real, occurs frequently enough to appear as an issue reported to the federal safety agency and will not be easily identified by scanning the vehicle codes which is apparently what the dealer standard practice is.

Filed May 11, 2022 · Fuel system · PA

After a short trip; usually to shop, I get a gas smell inside the truck when I restart. Honda dealer could not duplicate. The smell sometimes is also under the hood.

Filed Feb 9, 2022 · IN

Truck has gas smell in cabin and outside the truck sometimes.

Filed Jul 10, 2021 · MN

Upon startup, a raw fuel odor will enter the cabin. It usually doesn’t happen the first time it starts during the day but can be noticed upon repeated start up attempts. We often notice it when idling for a time as well. Sometimes a strong fuel odor is noticed when outside of the truck, even after parking it in the garage. I have taken it to two Honda dealers and they have not been able to replicate the issue. To keep the odor out of the cabin, we keep the fan on recirculate. We have had this problem since we bought the truck new in January 2020, as I noticed a strong odor in the garage after driving it home. I think we noticed it in February or March that year coming into the cabin through the heater. It also smells when it blows cold air, but it doesn’t happen all the time.

Filed Apr 2, 2020 · Fuel system · 12,000 miles · MN

There is a persistent smell of fuel after my ridgeline is warmed up/driven and then parked. The garage itself will smell strongly of gas afterwards and those fumes get pulled into the cabin via the fresh air intakes. When inspecting the engine bay, its smells far more strongly on the passenger side of the engine bay than the drivers.

Filed Mar 7, 2020 · Fuel system · 26,000 miles · OH

Truck is getting gas fumes into the cabin intermittently. Smell comes through the A/C-heater vents. Does not happen when outside air circulation is shut off. Making owner get headaches and feel ill. Has been to the dealer twice for this, of which they have not established the issue. This is common for this maker and they have had other class action lawsuits regarding this. Happens when the truck is running. Can be when driving or sitting and idling. Can be at any location. Occasional feul smell outside the vehicle as well when truck is shut off.

Filed Feb 8, 2020 · Fuel system · 5,500 miles · NC

Smell of gas in the cabin at engine startup. Dissipates within about 30 seconds.

Filed Feb 3, 2020 · Engine · MO

Smell of fuel or burnt oil emanating from engine compartment and entering cabin through HVAC system when idling. Warm engine also emanates fuel/burnt oil smell after it is parked and shut off. When parked in an enclosed garage the smell can be overwhelming. Took to the dealer for inspection but they claim they can not duplicate the issue. When researching online indications are it may be a leaking pcv hose that is allowing fumes to permeate. The situation is ongoing and frequently noticeable both in the cabin and outside the vehicle.

Filed Mar 18, 2019 · Fuel system · 2,800 miles · TX

Strong fuel odor coming from the engine compartment which is drawn in through the HVAC vents while stopped. It also makes my garage smell like gasoline for hours after the vehicle is shut off. The dealer said they couldn't find a fuel leak. It doesn't do it every time, but most of the time. It's not only nauseating, but also embarrassing because it makes my new honda smell like an old car with a gas leak.