2008 Honda Ridgeline Body & structure Problems

My 2008 Honda RIdgeline has a frame rusted to the point where it has been deemed unsafe to drive by my local Honda dealership and Honda USA. My 2008 Honda Ridgeline is PA titled and was involved in recall 22V-430 (NHTSA recall number) / 22-021 (Honda recall number). I took my truck into Wright Honda (Uniontown, PA) on June 2nd, 2023 for the 2006-2014 Ridgeline Rear Frame Repair Safety Recall. The truck is available for inspection, and Honda USA has several pictures of the frame problems that they evaluated. When Wright Honda performed the recall work, they informed me that the frame rust is so severe that it is not safe to drive and it will not pass inspection; they recommended that I tow it home (at my expense, which is what I had to do). I asked them if my truck might be considered for a buyback. They told me that Honda USA did request more pictures and that someone from Honda USA would be in touch with me. Basically, after speaking to a case manager and supervisor, Honda USA told me that the frame corrosion is my responsibility because they performed their recall. The Honda USA technician Eric (4605592) agreed that the frame rust is so bad that is should not be driven on a road. So although multiple parties at Honda agree that my frame rust is so severe that I can no longer drive the truck, and there is a recall regarding frame rust on my Ridgeline, Honda refuses to take responsibility and either replace the frame or buy it back. The recall was to prevent the gas tank from falling off and catching fire. I think it is equally important for Honda to take care of frames that may break while driving, killing everyone in the truck, when it is known that the frame corrosion is already a problem because of a Honda quality control issue.

NHTSA ID

11529684

Incident

Jun 2, 2023

The truck frame is extremely rusted. I can push my finger through multiple locations on the frame.

NHTSA ID

11521996

Incident

May 14, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Ridgeline. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V430000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted but was unable to confirm when parts would be available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11503195

Incident

Jul 27, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Ridgeline. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V430000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11499202

Incident

Aug 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Ridgeline. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V430000 (Structure). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where they performed a punch test, and was informed that since the vehicle passed the test, they would not buy it back. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, the mechanic was made aware that the fuel tank was corroded. The dealer stated that the fuel tank would not be inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called another local dealer, Bergstrom Honda (3285 S. Washburn St., Oshkosh, WI 54904; (800) 218-0193), and was informed that the manufacturer had closed the recall case and needed the manufacturer to reopen the recall case. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11489550

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

Mileage

150,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 65 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact's wife was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while he was driving the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact saw that the fuel tank had detached and was resting on the drive shaft. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired as the parts were not available. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V430000 (Structure), which he associated with the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000. The contact has stated that Honda has deemed the vehicle undriveable and has offered to buy it back. The contact stated that Honda has finally bought the vehicle back after 7 months of the vehicle being at the dealership.

NHTSA ID

11488898

Incident

Jul 1, 2022

Mileage

115,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Ridgeline. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V430000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the fuel tank mounting straps had separated from the frame, causing the fuel tank to rub against the driveshaft. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and recommended the contact purchase an aftermarket rear frame part for the replacement. The failure mileage was 160,761. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11474961

Incident

Jul 20, 2022

Mileage

160,761 mi

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN JULY OF 2020 AND I JUST FOUND THAT IT HAS A UNSUSAL AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE TRUCK .

NHTSA ID

11390076

Incident

Jan 26, 2021

Mileage

134,000 mi

BODY RUST, VEHICLE HAS 66,000 MILES BUT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11252192

Incident

Aug 28, 2019

PAINT PEELING ON ROOF AND THE HOOD COLOR BLACK CHERRY

NHTSA ID

11041410

Incident

Jan 15, 2016

Mileage

38,000 mi

MY 2008 HONDA RIDGELINE TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, GARAGE KEPT, WELL MAINTAINED, WITH ONLY 72K MI. WE WERE DRIVING UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT ON I-83N FROM DE TO PA, DURING THE RAINY NIGHT OF NOV. 18,2015. WE HEARD A FLAP-RIP SOUND, AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE (AFTER MARKET) BED COVER FLAPPING AT THE CAB CORNER, BECAUSE A COVER CLIP HAD WEAKENED THERE DURING THIS HIGHWAY DRIVE FROM GA TO PA, ALLOWING THE COVER TO FLAP IN WIND, AND NEEDED REFASTENING WHENEVER WE STOPPED FOR GAS. IT WAS THE NEXT MORNING IN THE LIGHT WHEN WE REALIZED THE ENTIRE CAB TOP-REAR PANEL (BREAK LIGHT, WIRING & ALL) HAD DISLODGED COMPLETELY OFF THE TRUCK, AND DECIDED THIS WAS PROBABLY THE RIPPING SOUND WE HEARD ON I-83 THE NIGHT BEFORE, THOUGH WE DID NOT KNOW AT THE TIME, AND PRAY NO DANGER RESULTED BEHIND US. WE TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, TO SEE WHAT THEY COULD DO TO COMPENSATE, WHICH WAS ONLY TO OFFER $50 DISCOUNT ON $400 OF PARTS, ALSO SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH CARCOMPLIANTS.COM HAD A POSTING. WE INSTEAD HAVE A LOCAL MECHANIC WAITING ON THE PART TO REPLACE THE PANEL AT LESS COST, BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS NEEDED, AND WE HAVE TEMPORARY DUCT TAPE OVER THE WIRING HOLE FOR PROTECTION. OUR POSITION IS THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S SAFETY DEFECT, AND SHOULD BE RECALLED! NO MARKET BODY PART SHOULD JUST FLY OFF THE TRUCK, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT CAN RESULT IN ACCIDENTS, INJURY, AND POSSIBLY EVEN DEATH!

NHTSA ID

10808158

Incident

Nov 18, 2015

Mileage

72,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA RIDGELINE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TOP PANEL ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE COURTESY LIGHTS AND WIRING WERE HOUSED DETACHED COMPLETELY ONTO THE ROAD. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10747848

Incident

Mar 1, 2015

Mileage

90,000 mi

MY 6 YEAR OLD GRABS THE REAR ENTRY HANDLE ON THE INSIDE OF THE TRUCK BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT TO HELP HER GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. TODAY WHEN SHE GRABBED IT GETTING IN THE TOP PART OF THE HANDLE RIPPED RIGHT OFF THE INTERIOR WALL CAUSING HER TO FALL BACKWARDS. THANKFULLY SHE WAS NOT INJURED BUT SHE VERY EASILY COULD HAVE CRACKED HER HEAD OPEN ON THE PAVEMENT. THE SCREWS THAT HOLDS THE REAR ENTRY HANDLE TO THE TRUCK ARE VERY TINY. I CANT TELL IF IT JUST CAME LOOSE AND BACKED ITSELF OUT, OR IF IT STRIPPED. IF ONE OF THESE HANDLES BREAKS LOOSE FROM A 45 LB CHILD, I COULD ONLY IMAGINE THE HANDLE WOULD BE MORE PRONE TO BREAKING IF AN ADULT USED IT. THE HANDLE BREAKING OFF COULD VERY EASILY CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY BY SOMEONE FALLING AS THEY ENTER/EXIT THE VEHICLE. I WILL BE TAKING MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NEXT WEEK TO GET THIS FIXED HOPEFULLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10496813

Incident

Feb 8, 2013

Mileage

47,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER TAILGATE WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CABLES CONNECTING TO THE TAILGATE BECAME LOOSE, WHICH CAUSED THE COMPONENT TO FAIL. THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE CABLES, BUT THE FAILURE IMMEDIATELY RECURRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 7,000.

NHTSA ID

10243039

Incident

Sep 14, 2008

Mileage

7,000 mi