Canada and its prodigious use of road salt have helped initiate a recall in the U.S. of 2006-2014 Honda Ridgelines. In all, more than 112,060 vehicles in snowy states could have rust issues that lead to a fuel leak.
The problem stems from de-icing agents, as well as mud and dirt, which could accumulate along or near the part of the frame where the fuel tank is mounted. Over time, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports, the fuel tank mounting bands could corrode and separate from the frame.
If that happens, the fuel tank could become damaged, which could result in leaking, increasing the risk of a fire. Honda is, therefore, initiating a recall to catch this damage before it occurs.
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The first U.S. customer complaints related to this issue date all the way back to 2016 but it was Honda Canada that, in 2019, launched an investigation into it after receiving multiple complaints of frame corrosion as well as loud noises from the rear frame section.
It then conducted a market survey of Ridgelines to check for rust along the rear frame and later that year, the same survey was undertaken by Honda USA. It found two additional customer complaints at the time.
Although no reports have gone so far as to claim fuel leakages, it was predicted that the fuel tank mounting band would lose its structural integrity, which, of course, is a problem. On June 9, the automaker determined that a recall was appropriate.
As a result, Honda USA will get in touch with Ridgeline owners in 23 salt-belt states starting on August 1 and ask them to bring their vehicle into a dealership. There, the frame will be inspected for corrosion and the dealer has three options. They can either attach a reinforcement brace, clean the frame, and apply anti-corrosive wax, as well as attach repair plates where necessary. They may also repair the corroded frame or offer to repurchase the vehicle.
Vehicles in the following states are covered under this recall: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.
