Moisture Buildup Leads To Honda Ridgeline Stability Problems

Torrance, Calif. – Jan. 12, 2017 – Honda will conduct a recall of nearly 10,000 Ridgeline AWD vehicles after it became apparent that a particular defect allows moisture to build up and corrode rear-wheel sensors, ultimately threatening vehicle stability.

The Defect

The problem affects model year 2017 Ridgeline vehicles manufactured between April 1, 2016 and Aug. 11, 2016, according to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. An error in a wiring connection joint underneath a drain hole in the truck bed allows moisture to seep in. This can come into contact with connection terminals, including speed terminals located at the rear wheels. If these cannot function, drivers may experience loss of control and could be at higher risk of crashing during operation.

Timeline of Events

  • July 6, 2016 – Honda received its first warranty claim of a Ridgeline with a Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illumination.
  • August. – October 2016 – Further investigation of the claim revealed that the problem may have been corroded wiring harnesses. Honda reached out to suppliers and confirmed that the design of the wiring connection did not match specifications. This was corrected in the production line. Meanwhile, additional review of the problem showed that an all-wheel drive system failure would initiate a fail-safe mode for safe operation.
  • November 2016 – Honda later discovered that specific corrosion scenarios could cause sensor terminals to report nonexistent wheel slippage, resulting in stability problems. Honda determined that this merited a safety recall.

Resolution

Owners of all affected vehicles will be notified of the recall by mail, and will be asked to bring their vehicles to their nearest dealer for inspection. If necessary, all repairs will be completed, free of charge.

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