2006 HONDA RIDGELINE Power Train Problems

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving approximately driving 50 mph the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. After stopping to inspect under the hood the contact discovered transmission and radiator fluid spraying and leaking within the engine compartment. The contact sustained burns to the left arm from the hot fluids while inspecting under the hood. The injuries did not require medical treatment. The vehicle was towed away and later examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure occurred due to the failed transmission lines that were located inside the radiator which caused the radiator and transmission to overheat. The contact was informed that both the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 147,000.

Mileage: 147,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, A STEEL WASHER CORRODED AND CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Mileage: 118,000

BOUGHT A USED 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE WITH ONLY 90K MILES IN DEC 2015 FROM A LOCAL DEALER. HAD IT LESS THAN ONE YEAR WHEN A SINGLE STEEL WASHER CORRODED WHERE THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE ATTACHES TO THE RADIATOR, CAUSING BOTH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR FLUID TO MIX. THIS RESULTED IN A NEW RADIATOR, LINES AND NOW TRANSMISSION FAILURE - ABOUT $4500 OF REPAIRS FROM A STEEL WASHER RUSTING! I'VE READ A LOT OF BLOGS AND THIS REALLY IS SOMETHING THAT HONDA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR. HONDA SIMPLY STATES THIS ISSUE TO BE CAUSED BY "ENVIRONMENT" AND DENIES RESPONSIBILITY. ALL HONDA WOULD NEED TO DO IS HAVE PUT IN A WASHER THAT WOULDN'T HAVE RUSTED! SERIOUSLY A SMALL STEEL WASHER WORTH .15 CENTS IS GOING TO COST ME ABOUT $4500.00 IN REPAIRS! WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I'VE READ ABOUT ON BLOGS I'M SURPRISED MORE HAVEN'T LOGGED THIS WITH THE NHTSA. HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND I'M CONSIDERING SMALL CLAIMS COURT AGAINST HONDA OF AMERICA. THIS IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH OTHER HONDA'S, NOT JUST THE RIDGELINE. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT TURNING LEFT ON A CITY STREET. AFTER PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE GAS TO START MY TURN, I HEARD THE TRANSMISSION MAKE A FUNNY WHINE NOISE. I DROVE ABOUT A MILE AND PULLED OVER TO SEE FLUID POURING OUT OF THE RADIATOR FILLER RESERVOIR. MY INITIAL REPAIR COST ME ABOUT $1000 - NEW RADIATOR, ALL NEW LINES AND SEVERAL FLUSHES OF TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. MY MECHANIC SAID HE HOPED THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T GET ANY RADIATOR FLUID IN IT. I DROVE IT ABOUT A WEEK AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL. I TOOK THE RIDGELINE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THE OWNER THERE WAS ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH THIS HONDA ISSUE. HE SAID MY TRANSMISSION IS BEGINNING TOAST AND A REBUILD IS AROUND $3500.00 - SO I HAVE THAT SCHEDULED TO BE DONE SOON.

Mileage: 98,000

WHERE THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE ATTACHES TO THE RADIATOR, CORROSION OCCURS IN THE FITTING AND THIS CAUSES THE RADIATOR FLUID TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE RESULTING PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING AND THE TRANSMISSION CAN FAIL COMPLETELY. THERE IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTOR THAT CORRODES PREMATURELY. HONDA HAS NOT RECALLED THIS VEHICLE OR ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT HONDA REPAIR DEALERS ARE WELL AWARE THAT THIS IS A CLASS DEFECT WITH ALL HONDA RIDGELINES AND HONDA PILOT VEHICLES. THE UNSAFE CONDITION OCCURS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTS TO SLIP WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT THAT INDICATES THERE IS A PROBLEM. IN MY CASE I PULLED OUT ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY FROM A SIDE STREET AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE REPAIR TO MY VEHICLE INCLUDED A NEW RADIATOR, NEW FLUIDS AND A COMPLETE FLUSHING OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION 5 TIMES. THIS REPAIR COST ME OVER $1200.

Mileage: 150,450

TRANSMISSION COOLER FITTING FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED WITH COOLANT IN RADIATOR AND ENGINE RAN BUT TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING AT ALL SIMILAR TO OTHER FAILURES REPORTED ON THIS SITE

Mileage: 191,000

I HAD JUST ENTERED THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 10 PM IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC, ACCELERATED TO 65 MPH AND SET THE CRUISE CONTROL, I TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY A 1/4 MILE WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND IMMEDIATELY LOST MOMENTUM WHILE THE ENGINE R.P.M INCREASED RAPIDLY, I TURNED ON THE FOUR WAY FLASHERS AND WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED AS I ATTEMPTED TO GET TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME WHERE I FOUND TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR , I CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY IMPLIED THEY HADN'T HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BUT QUOTED AN APPROXIMATE REPAIR OF SOMEWHERE NORTH OF $5,000 FOR LABOR,AN AFTER MARKET RADIATOR AND A REBUILT OR JUNKYARD SALVAGE TRANSMISSION. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED NUMEROUS POSTINGS OF THIS ISSUE WITH SEVERAL MODELS WITH THE SAME DRIVE TRAIN.

Mileage: 100,102

WHILE DRIVING, I SUDDENLY STARTED GETTING TRANSMISSION "SLIPPAGE". ENGINE WOULD REV UP, BUT NO POWER TO THE WHEELS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS A STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE COLORED FLUID COMING OUT OF MY RADIATOR OVERFLOW CONTAINER. TURNS OUT THE THAT TRANSMISSION COOLER INSIDE THE RADIATOR BROKE LOOSE AND ALLOWED ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. APPARENTLY IT'S NOT AN UNKNOWN PROBLEM. I'M LUCKY THAT I WAS IN A RURAL RESIDENTIAL AREA AND NOT ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR

Mileage: 169,000

STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT WENT TO TAKE OFF AND VEHICLE SHIFTED ODDLY, WENT ABOUT 500 YARDS STOPPED SHUT TRUCK OFF AND OUT POURED THE MILKY TRANSMISSION FLUID. ADDED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO GET IT HOME AND YOU COULD FOLLOW THE TRAIL THE ENTIRE WAY (APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE) AND EMPTY AGAIN (WE FILLED IT). OPENED THE OVERFLOW ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT AND THE SAME STRAWBERRY MILKY FLUID WAS IN THERE COMPLETELY FULL! ALSO OPENED THE RADIATOR TO FIND IT COMPLETELY FULL OF THE SAME STUFF. I HAVE READ MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THANK GOD I WASN'T, I HAD MY ENTIRE FAMILY IN THE TRUCK! IT WOULD BE NICE FOR HONDA TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!!! GOING TO A MECHANIC TODAY, WILL MORE THAN LIKELY BE MAKING A PHONE CALL TO HONDA ONCE THE VERDICT IS IN! *TR

FOUND OUT RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION ON HONDA RIDGELINE HAS BEEN HAVING CATASTROPHIC FAILURES DUE TO TRANSMISSION LINE FAILURE. THIS ISSUE WILL CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN WRECKS DUE TO THE VIOLENT NATURE OF THIS FAILURE. THIS WOULD CAUSE IMMEDIATE PANIC TO MY PREGNANT WIFE AND SOON TO BE NEWBORN BABY GIRL. HONDA IS AWARE OF THE FAULTY CONNECTION ON RADIATOR THAT CAUSES THIS ISSUE AND STILL HASN'T ISSUED RECALL. I BELIEVE THEY ARE ACTING NEGLIGENTLY TOWARDS FIXING THIS ISSUE. COME TO FIND OUT NISSAN HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THEIR PATHFINDER AND HAS SINCE PERFORMED A VOLUNTARY RADIATOR ASSEMBLY PROGRAM (HTTP://WWW.NISSANASSIST.COM/WEB/RADIATOR/FAQS.PHP?MENU=22). HONDA ALSO DIRECTED US TO CONTACT NHTSA AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT THE FINE STAFF AT NHTSA WILL TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THIS ISSUE WITH HONDA AND COME TO A DECISION TO HELP CONSUMERS TAKE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO READ THIS AND I HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DO NOT HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 80,702

THE COOLING LINE FOR THE TRANSMISSION WHERE IT ENTERS THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR FAILED DUE TO GALVANIC CORROSION. THIS CAUSE A LARGE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

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

TRANSMISSION FLUID OIL COOLER LINE EJECTS FROM RADIATOR AS A RESULT OF DISSIMILAR METAL CORROSION...A STEEL WASHER IS USED THAT BECOMES THE CATALYST FOR THE FAILURE. TRANSMISSION FLUID LOSS OCCURS THAT LEADS TO LOSS OF ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE, PUTTING VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN DANGER. *TR

Mileage: 91,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THERE WAS AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE. THE NOISE WAS ONLY HEARD WHEN IN REVERSE AND NOT IN DRIVE OR ATTEMPTING A TURN. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OR TO MAKE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,900.

Mileage: 3,600

I WAS TRAVELING FROM HOUSTON TO LAS VEGAS VIA INTERSTATE 10. ABOUT 100 MILES FROM EL PASO, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, BOOM, AND WE STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WE SAW WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO MY TRUCK I WAS TOTALLY SHOCKED. THE FIRST THOUGHT CAME TO OUR MIND WAS, WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED, THE DRIVE SHAFT SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE TRAVELING AT THE HIGHWAY SPEED. BASED ON THE WORDS OF MECHANIC ABEL OF KELLY GRIMSLEY HONDA IN ODESSA TEXAS, WITH 14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN DONE YET SINCE THE COST IS APPROXIMATELY $5600. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND WE WERE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I HAVE PHOTOS IF NEEDED. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

HONDA RIDGELINE 2006 HAS CONSIDERABLE HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM UNDER 10 MPH, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT OF CONVENIENCE STORE ROLLING AT ABOUT 5 MPH AND THEN TRIED TO ACCELERATE OUT INTO FASTER MOVING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE HESITATED FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS WHICH PUT ME IN A POSITION WHERE CARS ON THE ROADWAY I WAS ENTERING HAD TO BRAKE. HESITATION IS CONSTANT AND CONSISTENT SINCE PURCHASE OF THE TRUCK. NOW I CURRENTLY HAVE 2000 MILES ON VEHICLE. CALLED HONDA AND THEY SAY IT'S NORMAL FOR THE SYSTEM OF "DRIVE BY WIRE". I HAVE ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER WITH SAME VEHICLE, HE HAS NO HESITATION. HONDA REFUSES TO FIX OR AT LEAST LOOK INTO MY PROBLEM AS THEY CONTINUE TO SAY IT'S NORMAL. *JB

Mileage: 150

HESITATION OCCURS CONSISTENTLY WHEN SPEED IS UNDER 10 MPH AND THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE. WAS LEAVING PARKING LOT OF CONVENIENCE STORE ROLLING TO EXIT STEPPED ON THE GAS TO GET INTO TRAFFIC AND TRUCK HESITATED FOR 2-3 SECONDS PUTTING ME INTO TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER FOR THOSE 2-3 SECONDS. TRAFFIC HAD TO BRAKE FOR ME. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR TO BE CONSIDERED ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE TWO CHILDREN USUALLY WITH ME. I HAD CALLED HONDA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH IT. IF THEY WERE FAMILIAR WHY DIDN'T THEY INFORM ME OF THAT BEFORE I SPENT $32,000 FOR THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TEST DROVE THE TRUCK I DID NOT FEEL THIS HESITATION AS IT STARTED AFTER I HAD 150 MILES ON IT. THEY TELL ME IT'S DRIVE BY WIRE OR SOMETHING OF THIS NATURE AND BASICALLY HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. *JB

Mileage: 150

HESITATION OCCURS CONSISTENTLY WHEN SPEED IS UNDER 10 MPH AND THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE. WAS LEAVING PARKING LOT OF CONVENIENCE STORE ROLLING TO EXIT STEPPED ON THE GAS TO GET INTO TRAFFIC AND TRUCK HESITATED FOR 2-3 SECONDS PUTTING ME INTO TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER FOR THOSE 2-3 SECONDS. TRAFFIC HAD TO BRAKE FOR ME. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR TO BE CONSIDERED ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE TWO CHILDREN USUALLY WITH ME. I HAD CALLED HONDA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH IT. IF THEY WERE FAMILIAR WHY DIDN'T THEY INFORM ME OF THAT BEFORE I SPENT $32,000 FOR THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TEST DROVE THE TRUCK I DID NOT FEEL THIS HESITATION AS IT STARTED AFTER I HAD 150 MILES ON IT. THEY TELL ME IT'S DRIVE BY WIRE OR SOMETHING OF THIS NATURE AND BASICALLY HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. *JB

Mileage: 150