US government investigation forces Honda Ridgeline recall due to faulty rearview cameras

Torrance, CA June 4, 2024 – Honda (NYSE:HMC) is recalling 187,290 20202024 Honda Ridgeline pickups whose rearview cameras may not display an image. This reduces visibility while backing up, upping the risk of an injury.

The recall is the result of a U.S. government investigation and appears to be an expansion of a previous recall for the same issue.

Recall summary

The affected pickups have a rearview camera mounted in the tailgate, with a wiring harness connecting it to the rest of the vehicle. The wires may become brittle and break if exposed to low temperatures and salt, cutting off the camera’s image feed.     

Recall risks

Inoperable rearview cameras augment the risk of a backover crash.

Warning signs

In addition to the inoperable rearview camera, the driver may notice issues with tailgate locking or unlocking and the operation of the alarm system.   

Background of the recall

The recall is a result of an ongoing U.S government investigation initiated in February 2024 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) after receiving 27 complaints alleging a “black screen” when backing up.

Around the time the complaints started coming in, Honda issued a similar Ridgeline recall but did not include 2020-2024 year models, as reported.

Other Honda recalls

Some of these Honda Ridgeline pickups may have been affected by a recall from February 2024, caused by airbags that could hurt children, as reported.

The Japanese carmaker is also currently being investigated by NHTSA over sudden and unexpected braking, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the tailgate harness with an improved one free of charge. 

The owners should receive letters with more information between July 1, 2024, and October 1, 2024.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Honda rearview camera recall affects nearly 190,000 pickup trucks. To do a Honda recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigation forces Honda Ridgeline recall due to faulty rearview cameras

Honda issues ‘Salt Belt’ recall over risk of fuel leak

Torrance, CA – July 07, 2022 – Honda (NYSE:HMC) is recalling 112,060 vehicles over a potential fuel leak and increased risk of fire.

This recall includes 2006 – 2014 Honda Ridgeline pickup trucks and affects only those sold or registered in “salt belt” states.

Recall summary

On the underside of the truck, straps attach the fuel tank to part of the vehicle’s frame called a “crossmember.”

In states where salt is used to de-ice roadways, salt and dirt may build up underneath the vehicle. This buildup may corrode the crossmember, eventually causing the fuel tank to detach.

An improperly secured fuel tank may come into contact with the ground, causing damage to the tank and possible fuel leaks.

The component in question is the crossmember (component C: floor middle), with part number 65730-SJC-A00.

Recall risks

Since fuel is flammable, a leaking fuel tank increases the risk of a fire, which could cause injuries and property damage.

Safety tips

For tips on what to do in the event of a fire, please visit the following page.

Warning signs

Drivers may hear noise from the Honda Ridgeline fuel tank or its straps dragging on the ground.

Other recent Honda recalls and investigations

In February, the U.S. government launched an investigation into defective rearview cameras on the 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The inability to show an image when reversing increases the risk of a crash and injury.

In December 2021, there was a Honda SUV and pickup truck recall that affected more than 700,000 vehicles. This was over hoods that may fly open while the car is in motion and block the driver’s view. Included in the recall were the 2017 – 2020 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. 

Prior to that, in early December, there was a 2021 Honda Ridgeline recall over a child seat safety concern, as reported.

Repair

To remedy the issue, Honda dealers will conduct an inspection of the rear frame. Depending on the extent of the damage, they will attach reinforcements, repair the corroded frame or offer to repurchase the vehicle. Repairs will be completed at no cost to the owner.

Owners can expect to receive information regarding the repair program by August 1, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 120,000 vehicles are included in this Honda frame rust recall. To perform a Honda recall check on your vehicle, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiHonda issues ‘Salt Belt’ recall over risk of fuel leak

Honda is investigated over faulty rearview cameras

Washington, D.C. – February 20, 2022 – The U.S. government is investigating Honda (NYSE:HMC) over concerns whose rearview cameras may fail to display an image. This increases the risk of a crash and injury while backing up.

If the investigation results in a recall, it may affect 71,008 of the following pickup trucks: 

  • 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  • 2017 Honda Ridgeline

Investigation summary  

On February 7, the regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation, following 42 complaints and 10 reports of rearview camera becoming inoperable

Based on the complaints, the rearview camera may stop working because of “severe damage to the tailgate wire harness,” which happens right after “the warranty mileage is exceeded.”

The goal of this investigation is to determine if there is a safety defect which may require a recall.

Risks

For more information on the risks, please visit this article about a Ford recall due to malfunctioning cameras.

Other Honda recalls 

Apart from this ongoing investigation, owners should also be aware of a Honda Ridgeline recall from December 2021 which was caused by hoods that may fly open while driving.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This Honda Ridgeline wiring harness investigation may eventually lead to a recall, possibly affecting over 70,000 vehicles. To do a Honda recall check to see if it part of any open recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicHonda is investigated over faulty rearview cameras

Honda recalls over 700,000 cars whose hoods may fly open

Torrance, CA – December 11, 2021 – Honda (NYSE:HMC) has recalled 724,826 vehicles whose hoods may become damaged and fly open while driving, blocking the driver’s view of the road. This increases the risk of a crash and subsequent injury to the occupants of the car and other motorists.

The component in question is the hood, whose part number is  60100-TG7-A91.

The recall includes the following SUVs and pickups:

  • 2019 Honda Passport
  • 2016 – 2019 Honda Pilot
  • 2017 – 2020 Honda Ridgeline

Recall summary  

The recall stems from a gap in the seal between the Honda’s hood and grill, which allows air to get inside while driving. The aerodynamics of this gap cause the hood to vibrate when the car drives at high speeds, which could eventually cause a stress fracture in the hood’s latch. If this occurs, nothing is holding the hood shut and it could fly open while driving, blocking the driver’s view.

Recall risks

Driving with an obstructed view is extremely dangerous and could quickly cause the driver to crash. 

Warning signs

Drivers may be able to hear the hood vibrating and should also keep an eye on the hood to see if it seems loose

Other Honda recalls

The manufacturer was recently affected by a Honda Insight, Honda Accord, Honda CR-V and Honda Ridgeline recall over issues with securing child safety seats. 

The repair

Depending on the condition of the hood latch, Honda dealers will either repair the hood by adding a striker support plate or will replace the hood entirely. All repairs will be free of charge for Honda owners. Honda will notify owners about the recall by mail starting on January 17, 2022. Owners who had to repair this issue on their own dime before the recall was announced will be eligible for reimbursement.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 700,000 vehicles are included in this Honda recall. To see if your car is one of them, do a Honda recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandHonda recalls over 700,000 cars whose hoods may fly open

Honda recalls over 600,000 cars that may stall

Torrance, CA – April 6, 2021 – Honda (NYSE:HMC) has expanded a previous recall to include 628,124 of additional vehicles with faulty fuel pumps that may cause the car to stall. The pumps are manufactured by Denso, (OTCMKTS:DNZOY) – an auto parts maker that forms part of the Toyota Group – that is behind this and other recalls by major car manufacturers starting last summer.

 This recall includes:

  • 2019 Acura ILX 
  • 2019 – 2020 Acura MDX
  • 2019 – 2020 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid
  • 2019 – 2020 Acura RDX
  • 2019 – 2020 Acura TLX
  • 2019 – 2020 Honda Accord
  • 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid
  • 2019 – 2020 Honda Civic
  • 2019 – 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
  • 2019 Honda Civic Type-R
  • 2018 – 2019 Honda CR-V
  • 2019 Honda Fit
  • 2019 Honda HR-V 
  • 2019 – 2020 Honda Insight
  • 2019 Honda Odyssey
  • 2019 Honda Passport 
  • 2019 Honda Pilot
  • 2019 Honda Ridgeline

Recall summary  

The Denso fuel pumps at the center of the recall have a small plastic component, called an impeller, that sucks gas from a car’s fuel tank to pump it into the engine. Some of the impellers were manufactured in a way that can cause the plastic to weaken and become misshapen, causing the whole fuel pump to malfunction. Without a pump moving fuel into the engine, the car might not start or could stall while driving.

Background of the recall

The original Honda recall was announced in May of last year and included some of the model and model years listed above. Overall, Denso had manufactured over two million defective pumps which has caused Toyota. Honda and Subaru to recall their cars starting last summer.

Warning signs

The driver may be alerted to the fuel pump malfunction if he or she notices that the malfunction indicator light (MIL) or the master warning indicator come on. Additionally, the engine may run “rough” when the car is started or idled. This means that you may hear weird noises or feel the car vibrate or shake. Take the car in for repair as soon as you notice these signs to keep the situation from getting worse.

Risks

You can read more about the risks posed by these faulty fuel pumps in our article about Toyota’s Denso fuel pump recall.

The repair

Honda and Acura dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly for free. Notifications with more information about when and how to seek repairs will be sent to owners starting on May 18.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 628,000 vehicles are included in this Honda and Acura recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandHonda recalls over 600,000 cars that may stall

Honda recalls vehicles with defective seat features

Torrance, Calif. – April 19, 2018 – American Honda Motor Company has recalled more than 5,800 vehicles potentially equipped with defective seat features, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects multiple models across two brands, including:

  • 2018 Acura MDX sport utility vehicles produced Jan. 10, 2018.
  • 2018 Honda Pilot sport utility vehicles produced between Jan. 2, 2018, and Jan. 20, 2018.
  • 2018 Honda Ridgeline pickup trucks produced between Jan. 12, 2018, and Jan. 19, 2018.

The Japanese automaker is unsure exactly how many of the vehicles referenced in the action contain the defective parts.

The defect

Affected vehicles driver and front passenger with improperly machined rivets connecting the seat slide rails to the seat feet. These fixtures could brake in the event of an accident, allowing the front driver and passenger seats to separate from the vehicle floor.

The defective rivets not only pose a serious safety hazard to occupants but also violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 207 and 210. The former requires vehicle manufacturers to install secure seating systems, while the latter mandates the use of fixed restraint assemblies.

Honda has not received reports connecting the defective rivet to any injuries. However, the connectors were involved in one accident.

Timeline of events

A tier-one vendor contacted the car company Jan. 11, 2018, after learning of an accident, during which the rivets holding the front seat side rails in place in a Honda vehicle, failed. The automaker launched an internal investigation in response.

Engineering personnel concluded this inquiry Feb. 6, 2018, finding that AKKO Fastener, the supplier responsible for producing the rivets used within Honda front seat assemblies, had improperly machined the connective fixtures.

Specifically, AKKO had deployed out-of-specification production tools, used too much material, and relied upon deficient quality controls. Honda then embarked on an administrative review to understand the breadth of the impact of the production error.

On Feb. 21, 2018, AKKO completed an internal investigation into the mis-machined rivets, while Honda and its other suppliers launched new downstream inquires.

The automaker reviewed the matter in its entirety March 29, 2018, and determined that a voluntary safety recall was required. Honda notified dealers of the forthcoming action April 6, 2018.

The solution

Honda has directed dealers to replace the driver seat frame assemblies in affected Acura MDX SUVs and swap out both the driver and passenger seat assemblies in recalled Honda Pilot SUVs and Ridgeline pickup trucks, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. Dealership technicians are to make these repairs free of charge.

The automotive company intends to notify owners via first-class mail May 18, 2018.

Check your car’s recall status using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Sean ReyesHonda recalls vehicles with defective seat features