Body Cab Type: Extra/Super/ Quad/Double/King/Extended
Brake System Type: Hydraulic
Displacement CC: 3474.057568
Displacement CI: 212
Displacement L: 3.474057568
Engine Configuration: In-Line
Engine Cylinders: 6
Engine HP: 250
Engine KW: 186.4250
Engine Model: J35Z5
Fuel Type Primary: Gasoline
GVWR: Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Make: HONDA
Manufacturer: HONDA OF CANADA MFG., INC.
Manufacturer Id: 990
Model: Ridgeline
Model Year: 2009
Note: Chassis Type: Monocoque
Plant City: Alliston
Plant Country: Canada
Plant State: Ontario
Series: RTS
Transmission Speeds: 5
Transmission Style: Automatic
Valve Train Design: Single Overhead Cam (SOHC)
Vehicle Type: TRUCK
Model year
COMPONENT
Complaint
2006
ENGINE
THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE WASHER USED AT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID JUNCTIONS IN THE RADIATOR. THE FITTINGS AND WASHER ARE MADE OF DISSIMILAR METALS. AS A RESULT, THE STEEL WASHER USED AS A SPACER RUSTS AND CORRODES, THEN SWELLS AND FORCIBLY PULLS THE THREADS FROM THEIR FITTINGS. A CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF FLUIDS INCLUDING AN EXCHANGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT TAKE PLACE, RENDERING THE VEHICLE NOT ONLY INOPERABLE BUT ALSO PERHAPS SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED. THESE FITTINGS FAIL AT RANDOM WITH NO OBVIOUS PATTERN OR ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSE. THE NORMAL "UNDERBODY RUST" DOES NOT SEEM TO CORRELATE WITH THIS FAILURE. I HAVE DONE SUBSTANTIAL RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND MANY OTHERS REPORT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE AND HAVE COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION. I FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AS SUCH A DRAMATIC AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF FLUID COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE, OVERHEATING, AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IF THE ENGINE WERE TO FAIL AND THE VEHICLE WERE TRAVELING AT SPEED, A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER ASSISTED BRAKING WOULD OCCUR. ADDITIONALLY, FINDING A LOCATION TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD IN ITSELF. THIS ISSUE COULD BE EASILY RESOLVED BY CEASING TO USE DISSIMILAR METALS IN THE RADIATOR FITTINGS. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THIS SAME DESIGN IS BEING APPLIED TO ALL HONDA RIDGELINE MODEL YEARS INCLUDING THOSE CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION. ALTHOUGH I CANNOT VERIFY THIS, I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS PARTICULAR PART IN THE 2009 MODEL YEAR REMAINED UNMODIFIED. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED, AS THERE ARE MORE AND MORE FAILURES OF THIS TYPE OCCURRING. IT IS SIMPLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A SERIOUS INJURY OCCURS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE. *TR
2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRAVELING IN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 70-75 MPH FOR 60 MINUTES THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, LET THE VEHICLE IDLE TILL THE OVERHEATING LIGHT WENT OUT. *TR