2006 Honda Ridgeline

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016 four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016 four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The investigation now includes all manufacturers and vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with consistently high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly, ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016, four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016, four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The PE is now closed/upgraded to an Engineering Evaluation (EA15-001) to include all manufacturersand vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's EA investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The recalls related to this PE are: 14V343, 14V344, 14V348, 14V351, 14V353, 14V655, 14V700, 14V701, 14V752, 14V763, 14V770, 14V773, 14V787, 14V802 and 14V817.The number of vehicles affected are an estimate since some vehicles may have both the driver and passenger side inflators recalled. The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON THREE VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE (VOQ) REPORTS ALLEGING A FIRE OCCURRED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.IN ADDITION, THERE WERE THREE VOQ REPORTS ALLEGING A BURNED, MELTED, OR SHORTED HVAC FAN MOTOR WIRING HARNESS.HONDA REPORTS THAT DURING AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 2006, IT CONDUCTED A STUDY REGARDING MELTING OF THE HVAC FAN MOTOR HARNESS CONNECTOR.HONDA CONCLUDED THAT THE DAMAGE TO THE HARNESS CONNECTOR COULD RESULT FROM CONTACT BY A PASSENGER'S FOOT OR HANDLING OF THE HVAC UNIT DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.HONDA INSTITUTED CHANGES TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.ALL COMPLAINT VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED BEFORE HONDA IMPLEMENTED THESE CHANGES.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE DATA (BOTH ODI AND HONDA) SHOW THERE ARE SIX REPORTS (DUPLICATES REMOVED) ALLEGING A FIRE IN OR NEAR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.FOUR OF THOSE RESULTED FROM AN UNKNOWN CAUSE, ONE RESULTED FROM AN HVAC FAN MOTOR FAILURE, AND ONE IS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN ARSON. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE NINE REPORTS OF HVAC FAN MOTOR HARNESS FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN SMOKE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BUT NO VEHICLE FIRE.THE REMAINING FIVE REPORTS RESULTED IN SMOKE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND INCLUDED FAILURES OF THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR, HVAC FAN MOTOR, AND A POWER TRANSISTOR.THIS INVESTIGATION DID NOT FIND THAT FAILURE OF THE HVAC FAN MOTOR CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN RESULT IN SMOKE, WOULD ALSO LEAD TO A FIRE.SIMILARILY NO DEFECT TREND WAS IEDNTIFIED FROM EXAMINATION OF THE SIX REPORTED FIRES.A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Rust in the frame- missing parts - holes

NHTSA ID

11697722

Incident

Sep 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that the rear subframe was extremely corroded. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who had repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V430000 (Structure). The dealer had repaired the vehicle and was awaiting guidance from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11681896

Incident

Jul 22, 2022

Mileage

200,000 mi

recall was initiated because salt used on roads during winter could accumulate along the rear frame, where the fuel tank is mounted, causing corrosion and potentially leading to the fuel tank becoming unsecured. Affected Vehicles: The recall covers 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline pickup trucks that were sold or ever registered in the salt-belt region. Salt-Belt States: The affected states include 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. This is a known issue, I have a huge rusted hole in the truck, and it's not covered because I don't live in a surrounding state of Kentucky or Virginia but I live within 50 miles of both of these states. This known recall should be expanded to include Tennessee and North Carolina and it's ridiculous to recall 50 miles away but not here. Why would you allow this?

NHTSA ID

11647560

Incident

Mar 11, 2025

A recall on rear frame rust compromised with gas tank strapping

NHTSA ID

11636227

Incident

Dec 22, 2006

Noticed rust on driver side frame rail.

NHTSA ID

11585670

Incident

Apr 26, 2024

My subframe and back of my truck frame rusted so bad gas tank is close to falling off have a strap holding under it but it’s probably not going to help with a rust hole in the frame

NHTSA ID

11582450

Incident

Apr 11, 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an inspection, the dealer determined that the suspension and sub-frame were severely corroded. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V430000 (Structure) however, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair due to the suspension and sub-frame corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had recently purchased the vehicle from a private seller, who informed her that the engine and transmission had previously been replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 357,000. The contact took the vehicle to Bill Walsh Honda in Ottawa, IL for inspection and for the punch test required for recall 22V430 on Dec. 3, 2023 and was told the vehicle passed the punch test and needed to come back in a couple weeks to have new brackets put on to hold the gas tank. The appointment was set for Dec. 15, 2023 but the contact was told the punch test failed this time.

NHTSA ID

11564412

Incident

Jan 9, 2024

Mileage

357,000 mi

Please see the recall info here: 2006 Honda Ridgeline Recall Item Affected: STRUCTUREDate Announced: 06/16/2022Description of Recall:Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles that were sold, or ever registered in 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. An accumulation of road salt may cause the frame mounting surface, where the fuel tank mounting bands are attached, to corrode and possibly detach the fuel tank, which can result in a fuel leak.Action Need To Fix It:Dealers will inspect and repair the rear frame, as necessary, free of charge. Depending on the extent of any corrosion damage, Honda may offer to repurchase the vehicle. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 1, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. We took my son's vehicle to our local Honda dealership for the recall repair. They replaced 2 bolts that secure the fuel tank straps to the frame. Then sent us away with an invoice saying the vehicle is not safe to drive due to severely rusted fuel tank straps. I have emailed and called American Honda many times to ask why this is not covered by the recall and requesting a buy back. They have only responded by saying the recall repairs were made. They won't put anything in writing explaining why the severely corroded fuel tank straps that are a safety issue per their dealership are not related to the recall.

NHTSA ID

11557098

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.

Service Bulletin - A pop or clunk is heard from the rear suspension in cold weather going over bumps potentially due to the rear bump stops loosening and are moving in the top mounting cap for the rear dampers.

Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS receiver Capacity resulting in rollover of the internal chip memory; the rollover occurred on January 1, 2022, at 12:00AM local time.

Service Bulletin - (Repair Procedure and Parts Information Revision) In salt-belt states where de-icing agents are used to maintain the roadway, the de-icing agents, along with mud and dirt, could accumulate along the rear frame where the fuel tank is mounted. Over time, the accumulated de-icing agents/mud/dirt mixture could cause the fuel tank band mounts to corrode and separate from the frame. If this occurs, an unsecured fuel tank can become damaged from undercarriage impact, which can possibly result in fuel leakage. Inspect the rear frame for rust and corrosion, if needed, install the kit.

Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.

ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in "rollover" of the internal chip memory; the "rollover" will occur on January 1, 2022, at 12:00AM local time. As a result, once specific triggers are met, the navigation date and time will be incorrect.