Driver Side Floor Leak

Last Saturday found the carpet damp underneath the driver side floor mat. We've had a bunch of rain the last few weeks here in NC, so I figured that all the getting into the Ridge with wet boots had gotten in around the floor mat. I took a dry towel and rubbed the carpet dry and by the end of the day it was completely dry. The Ridge stayed in the garage for four days, drove it to work on Thursday (57 miles) in the pouring rain checked the carpet and it was SATURATED! The bad news is, tomorrow morning I was off on a 4K mile trip... Pro Football Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Mt. Rushmore and camping/fishing in the Colorado Rockies. Got it to the dealer late Thursday night, they didn't get it into a mechanic until mid afternoon on Friday. They poured water all over it and about four hours later found the leak. There was a strip of body glue that had about a 3/4" gap in it. I got there just as he was about to apply the two-part glue and was able to see the gap. I laid my upper torso on the floor (legs sticking out of the door) and looked up on an imaginary line that would intersect the corner of the hood, just below the windshield to my eye level on the floor. They are keeping the Ridge over night and pulling up the carpet and pad and placing a fan to dry everything out. I'll post pictures when I get back from the trip (if possible). The SA has already said they'll order a mat and carpet kit for replacement upon my return. A day late start to the trip, but hopefully the leak is repaired and it won’t be tested much on the trip.

TL

I have a leak on the drivers side as well. It's been in twice to the dealer but still leaks. They checked the TSB written for the right side but it doesn't leak there. I bought my truck in May '05. I'll let you know what they find once it goes in again. Please let us know how your "fix"went.

Thanks!

Biker, Rtraviator.....

Lots of posts on this. My truck is April, 2005 build. Yes, there is a TSB on it.

Check this thread

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=693&highlight=trouble+paradise

Also do a search on leaks. But this thread is the main thread that we dealt with for those of us that had the same problem (yes, I had it too).

Good luck.

Man rtraviator and Biker! I hope you both get this fixed.

rtraviator, Biker
Yes there is many posts concerning water leaks from the A and B pillar on the RL with certain build dates. Brich had a water leak problem that he may or may not have had fixed. I’ll let him post on this subject. I have not had a problem as of yet (knock on wood) Good luck.:)

Yes I do...
Well, I brought it in a few months back and they told me it was leaking through the hood release cable. Not sure I buy that but they say they fixed it and dried out the carpet. The day after I picked it up, I had wet floors again. I spoke to my salesperson about it and he told me to bring it back in and find him, he would get something done about it. Well, a few days later, it appeared dry and has not been wet since. So I do suspect I still have a problem yet it hasn't been a problem. I'll wait until it's wet again before bringing it back in as I hate being without my truck. It's a royal pain. Yet, I don't want the long term effects of a water leak deteriorating my floors nor do I want stanky carpets....

It's a still a work in progress and will post should anything more come of my problem... stay tuned... :D

Has anyone gotten a confirmed fix on the driver's side floor leak? I'm taking mine in to the dealer tomorrow for the forth time. All TSB's have been done concerning water leaks but mine still does. The dealer doesn't have any course of action to take on this other than for me to "bring it in". My carpet stinks! T:mad: he dealer said they would replace the carpet once the cause is found and fixed.

Dragon...I read in previous post of yours that your dealer fixed your drivers side leak. Is it still fixed and do you know what they did?

Any help from anybody would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Hello!

New to this forum....but found it because I was searching for wet floors in the Ridgeline. Needless to say, my floors are soaked. Front and back. We just had a pretty good rain and I had noticed a funny smell (hubby usually drives it)...and I found a T-shirt that was under the back seat near the door and it was soaked (not damp, but soaked!). I thought it was strange and that there was no way it would get that wet when opening and closing the door in the rain, nor was the window left opened. But the next day the smell still lingered and I looked further under the seat only to find a couple sweat shirts that were also soaking wet - again, not damp, but soaking. So I removed them, felt the floor, it was wet, left the door open all day (warm and sunny day). That was over this past weekend. I mentioned it to my hubby tonight (Monday) and he commented that there was still a smell. So we went out only to discover that every area of the floor was wet except directly under the two front seats. Mind you, the floor in the front was soaked as well as the entire back seat (floors). With these rubber mats, you just don't notice it! Another thing I had noticed was that a couple weekends ago, we were at Dover and got caught in the rain walking back to the car. We all changed and threw our wet clothes in the trunk. When we got home I removed them and found a pair of shorts on the bottom of the trunk...they were sopping wet - the other clothes that had rested on the cooler were wet, but not drenched. I thought maybe the cooler had leaked, but found it had not. I was perplexed, but let it go. What a strange thing. Sounds like from reading all these posts that there have been several reasons for the leaks, but it doesn't really sound like anyone is 100% confident that the problem is resolved. I'll be taking it in tomorrow and will post back my findings. I'm really interested in the posting where Honda gave them a new car. I've already had the windshield replaced due to a stress fracture (covered under warranty)...I hope that this leak is the last of the issues. Haven't had the squeaking steering wheel or wind noise but will keep an ear out for those. Please post any findings you have regarding this leak issue and any resolutions! Thanks! :)

Dropped off my truck this morning for the dealer to try and find the driver's side floor leak again for the forth time. I've been informed that they are removing everything out of the interior to try to see where the water is coming from. New carpet is on order as well.
I strongly suggest to everyone with an early build like mine(purchased in 04/05) to check under their floormats after it rains. You may have the leak!
I'll let you know what becomes of this. :(

I purchased my RL in May '05 but I have never seen or felt a leak. I wash the truck a lot too. Of course, here in Texas it does not rain much. When it does I just don't take the Ridgeline out of the garage. I don't know if I have a problem or not but if it never sees rain, who cares?

Okay they found the leak. The hose that takes the water from the sunroof down the side to exit out the bottom of the truck was totally disconnected! I'm guessing it's been that way the entire year I've owned it. They are pulling up the carpet today and I will take a look to see if there is any rusting and/or mold! More later.

I don't know if I have a problem or not but if it never sees rain, who cares?

You no washy the car?

Okay they found the leak. The hose that takes the water from the sunroof down the side to exit out the bottom of the truck was totally disconnected! I'm guessing it's been that way the entire year I've owned it. They are pulling up the carpet today and I will take a look to see if there is any rusting and/or mold! More later.


Wow!, I haven't heard that one. I'll let my dealer know. Maybe that's my issue. Thanks alot Bella!!

Your welcome Biker.

Well the carpet and seats are up....and there is rust around all the brakets/metal of the front and back seats. The padding that is currently left in the vehicle is a large piece that apparently goes up along the dash - so they would have to remove the dashboard to change it out - and this pad is soaked! The Tech was siphoning water from this pad and it is amazing how much he was able to get out! I am very concerned about mold.

I have put in a claim to Honda and they will hopfully send someone out next week! Of course I'm expecting to hear comments such as 'surface rust' and 'mold doesn't grow in cars' or something like that. I think it will be a long battle to get them to replace it since we've had it for a year.

I would be interested in opinions from others with rust and/or mold experience. I have some pictures I'll post when I figure out how to do that!

Thanks! Bella :o

Good luck with your issue Bella.

I would be very interested in seeing your pictures so I could print them out along with your posts to present them to my service tech(who has been great so far)when I take mine in this coming Monday to have my carpet replaced.
Also, can you provide any more information on the hose that was disconnected? Description, pictures,etc. Do they still believe that was the cause?
One more thing. This "claim" that you put in to Honda. Who did you contact and is it because the dealer won't fix it to your satisfaction?

Thanks again! I really appreciate your help. This forum and the people that make it…..............ROC!!

I dont have any specific comments on future potential issues, but before they finally agreed to replace my "2 day old" truck the offer from American Honda got as high as comping the extended warranty, the tow package, and then the body side protectors when I kept pressing for a replacement. There is also some sort of ion process that they would have done to supposedly deal with potential mold issues. I'm far from a mold expert, but ive been advised that it doesnt work that well.

Thanks again Schwego! I think I will have a much more difficult time getting a replacement since I've owned it a year. But I also think I have some very valid complaints that I would want warranty forever! I don't blame you in going for a replacement...I'm not a mold expert either, but I know it's not something you want to mess with...to many health issues. That's my biggest concern as is rust. Hubby and are aren't as dedicated to our truck as most posters (ie washing it every weekend, looking for fun new gadgets, self installing accessories, etc), but boy do we love it!! We certainly still think it's an awesome vehicle! :)

Biker - I will work on getting some pictures online this weekend. I see how to do it...but I think I have to make them smaller. I know where this hose is connected, but I didn't see it being done so I don't have pictures of that. I think that it was a very simple connection though. Some, like me think it's been that way since the beginning, some say no that maybe it was a loose connection and then got disconnected as we should have noticed a smell/wetness before.

I did have the windshield replaced about a month ago due to a stress fracture (which Honda knows about and covers) - but I can't imagine (nor does the Tech) that the windshield guy would have accessed this panel where the hose connection is. But, maybe there is more than one leak as others have posted. I'm going to have the tech run some water over the truck to see if we see any other leaks.

I actually work at the Honda dealership so of course they have been just great. They have a new carpet ready to go in, but they know I want a Honda rep to look at it, so they are on hold. Their hands are tied when it comes to requesting a replacement. There is a consumer affairs number for Honda that I'll post when I get back to work next week. You can open a claim through them and/or your dealer can have their District Service Manger come out (which is who Honda will send first). I'm hoping that someone will be out next week, but it may take longer. In the meantime, I'm in a rental.

FYI - my build date was 5/05. As most of you know I'm new to this forum...sorry I didn't see the 'post here first' thread. I was so intent on finding info about leaks... so when I found this site I was just searching for that. Now that I've found it....I think I'll become a more 'dedicated' owner like the rest of you! There is some great info here....I'm so thankful for all the postings!:p :p ;)

I tried to upload a couple...if they show after I submit you will be looking at the bottom of the front seats - and should be able to see the rust! If not, any suggestions on how to get them posted would be appreciated. I clicked the paperclip icon and found the file and then clicked the upload button. I got a 'done' message...but I'm not quite sure how to access them.

THOUGHTS? COMMENTS??

Thanks so much! Bella

Honda Consumer Affairs number - to open a claim: 1-800-999-1009

OK, Just got my truck back from the dealer, Front Range Honda, who by the way have treated me very, very well. Marco, my mechanic is is very through and really cares about the customer. A+

Anyhow, the leak is fixed!!! New carpet and padding were installed.

The best way for me to describe the leak is to quote the description from the repair receipt......

"Seam sealer not covering a 5CM cowl pan where it meets the left side of bulk head. Removed interior of the vehicle except for dash and headliner. Ran water over the top of vehicle and found water leakinginto the drivers side of cabin. Removed park brake assembly, drivers side fuse box and cut away all of the insulation under drivers side dash. ran water again, found it coming in under dash where the steering wheel beam is bolted in on the drivers side. Seam sealer not covering a 5CM section of cowl pan where it meets the left side of bulkhead. Sealed with 3M ultrapro body sealent. Ran water thru cowl pan. No leaks. Replaced all water damaged insulation under dash and replaced carpet."

I just found the same driver's side leak on my 07 RL when I was cleaning it out yesterday so I will be taking it in to honda tomorrow.

At least a few people have had the problem so hopefully Honda knows about it and the service guys will know how to take care of it.

I just found the same driver's side leak on my 07 RL when I was cleaning it out yesterday so I will be taking it in to honda tomorrow.

Sorry to hear about the leak. I thought they would have this problem fixed by now. I've had my '07 for 2 weeks with several days of rain and haven't had any signs of a leak. Hoping I don't either. I'd love to know what they find. How long have you had your RL? Good luck.

Hello again!

Well, my carpet was replaced and I drove the vehicle through a car wash immediatly after taking it and all seemed good.

However, it's been about a month and we recently had a lot of rain....and low and behold, the entire floor board is wet again! :( Needless to say, I'm very upset.

I've reopened my case with Honda and I'll bring the vehicle in tomorrow. My husband and baby have had ear infections that they can't shake ....so I'm concerned about mold even more and wondering if it's related.

Would still love to hear from anyone w/experience in mold and/or rust (not just in relation to the Ridgeline) and I would love to hear from anyone else who was able to get a truck replaced - especially if you had your vehicle for a while.

For those who have had leaks fixed....keep checking. If someone wants to give me tips on posting pics, I'll post some. And, when I discover the reason for this leak I'll post it here.

Thanks for listening!
Bella

Bella,

Sorry to hear that you still have the leak. I would suggest you have your mechanic call mine, Marco, at Front Range Honda in Colorado Springs. He's been through the driver's side floor leak issue and I'm sure he could offer some valuble insight as to what to look for.

I feel your pain. Good luck.

Thanks Biker!

I actually think that there are a couple or several leaks. The tech found one so far....let's see if I can describe it right. Front passengers area, he lifted the kickplate (the edge of the car on the inside) and there is a hose. He saw water trickling from that while doing one of the water tests. However, with the entire floor soaking wet, we don't think that's the only leak. Drove it back in today, in the rain, and there was a small puddle of water in the front passenger area - where the carpet was pulled up. Still have rust all around - ie bolts, brackets, etc. I think that maybe some water is coming up through the wheel wells. I may give your SA/Tech a call to get some additional info. :cool:

Will give Honda a call tomorrow to see what the next steps are. I love the Ridgeline, just not my particular unit. Two other people I work with have them and have had no problems and I don't think we've had any other Ridgeline customers come in w/leak problems.

Take care,
Bella

Bella,

My mech. removed the interior completely , including carpet, then had an assistant(s) run water all over the truck while he was inside to observe where the water was coming from. That's how he was finally able to locate it.
Hang in there!

My Tech has been running water all over it and the other day it was pouring so he took it out for a drive. They determined that there was an incomplete seam in the front passenger side wheel well - which would help explain why so much water. And there are already rust spots and mold on the carpet that was replaced last month. All the seat brackets/bolts are still rusting of course. Right now I'm waiting for a Honda Rep to come look at it.

I'm still trying to figure out how to get pictures on here. I've been to the atttachment screen and then browsed and selected the attachment...but I'm not sure where it went. Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks! Bella

Okay, since I can't get my pictures to load (maybe they are too big), I've uploaded them to this website in case anyone is interested in taking a look. Most of them show the rust on the inside and there's a really good picture of the tech siphoning water out of the insullation. You shouldn't have to log in to view them.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=k2593a2.cc2fahna&Uy=-77t6jb&Ux=0

Wow, sorry to see that, but looks all to familiar. If you pull out the little stops that keep the glove box door from hanging all the way down you will probably see some rust there as well. Much less of course, but still there.To drop the door you also have to pop off the little arm that attaches to the piston that slows how fast the door opens. If you dont all you will have to pop the piston assy back together. No big deal either way. I found it on mine when I was trying to self diagnose where the water was comming from.

Thanks! I'll check that too! I'm not convinced that they have found all the leaks. If there are 3....there may be a couple more. Doubt I'll make much progress w/Honda this week seeing as they're closed Thurs/Fri.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Bella