Poll: Water Leaks by Build Dates

[JOZ RIDG]

This poll is not intended to be another water leak complaint thread.

Hopefully this poll will help see the overall trend of the leak problems by build dates instead of reading through the many threads and posts on this subject and trying to comprehend when the leak problems started and when they might have subsided.

Many have said the problems were probably only in the early production models, yet some have posted leak problems with much later build dates and some prospective buyers have asked about leak problems with current build dates.

Vote only if you have had or now have a leak problem.

Because there are only ten voting positions available, I had to double up build dates on # 7 thru #10.
For those that might vote in those positions you will have to post your actual build dates.

Comments on the following may be helpful regarding what type of leaks you have had and other helpful information.

1) Right Front Passenger Leak---- ( Right front A-pillar fix TSB # 05- 045 )---- This TSB was supposed to cover VIN’s ending in 500001 thru 521114 and the issue was supposed to be fixed on the production line at that point.

2) Right Rear Passenger Leak---- (Missing welds on the metal seam under the right rear body corner trim/light piece.) See first three posts here: Right rear C pillar water leak found!!! (Great find and fix by Rich W.)

3) Under the Left Front Dash Area.

4) Other areas, Rear Window, Top Rear Trim Piece, Top Rear Brake Light Trim, etc…..

5) Post your VIN # if you do not object.

Note:
Build Dates are on the white label on the driver side doorjamb see below.

[WoodlandsRTL]

12/05; #554765

2 separate leaks at rt front pillar; first applied TSB05-045, second was described as an unsealed seam (y'all educated me about both of them; the dealer claimed ignorance of the tsb until I handed over a printout of the bulletin, as well as a list of other potential leak sites I'd compiled from reading here). Supposedly pressure tested after the first fix, don't know how they didn't discover the second leak then...

couple rains and car washes since, so far so good

as disappointed as some of us have been over this (and I wouldn't trade my RL for anything), I think Honda has let it's dealers down by not solving the problem at the assembly line after becoming aware of the problem.

edit: would it be worthwhile to further divide leak complaints by those with moonroofs and those without? some of the leak sources have been tied to the mr's drain channels. for the record, I have one (mr, no longer a leak - crossing fingers)

[schwejo]

Hello,

11/05 Amazon Green, Rt A pillar and Rt rear "wing" leak.

[chisoxjim]

build 11/05


no leaks

[VTRidge]

My RTL was built in 7/05, but I didn't buy it until just last month. With that "early" a build date, I've been a little worried that I may have a leaky truck. But, I am also assuming that it had been sitting on the dealer's lot since shortly after the build date, exposed to rain. I do not see any sign that it has leaked at all. I took it through a car wash the other day and didn't notice any leaking either. Knock on wood.

[schwejo]

hello,

I'm still trying to understand this leak issue. My 11/05 build, Amazon green was one with a "standing water" leak. This poll has done well to provide a feel of just how many leakers may be out there, perhaps not all that many. At least I hope thats the case given that those who experianced the problem are more likely to say something about it so that would seem to skew the numbers to the high side if anything. I was given the opportunity to see mine being repaired- strongly wish I had made time to go see it. I was told that the sealant in the front fender well was present, but water was still getting by. At freeway speeds in a moderate rain, it poured in. A factory specified sealant was used to fix it the first time and a second more flexible factory specified sealant the second time. Makes me wonder how wide the gap is and how much it flexes- apparantly enough to reopen the first fix.

This leaves a few questions in my mind. What is the root cause, the left fender well would seem to have a similar but opposite seam, yet I've not heard of any leaks there? Automated manufacturing produces very consistant results, good or bad, which means that atleast some trucks made on either side of mine are likely to have some degree of the same problem, yet reported numbers dont seem to indicate that there are THAT many. I'm sure Honda has to have a very detailed description of the leak issue by now. Sure would be interesting to see it. I also wonder how this will be reflected in future consumer reports issues?? It can be so hard to put the whole size of the problem in perspective- from my standpoint its a 100% of the truck that i own- oh well just rambling now, time to get to work. Thanks

[Mish]

#504766

I got monstrous leak in the front passenger area, going al the way to the right rear and partially spreading to the left side of the car. Yesterday we had one hell of a rain for about 15 minutes and my car managed to take in at least 2 gallons of water (according to my wet/dry vacuum cleaner).
Right now carpet is still soaking wet, no matter how much sucking I did last night. I have one thing to say WTF, was Ridgeline desinged in conjunction with Mitsubishi, or Kia!?

[P&J Ridge]

Build date 3/05. 24,000+ miles

Soaked passenger side floor (front and rear). Day 3 after last rain and still wet. Taking it to have it looked at tomorrow night.

Great truck, still happy with it.

[AC Ridge]

Build date 01/06 no water leaks at all. Bought the Ridge Jan. 27, 2006.

[divotdog]

voted on poll today
built 12/05 vin ...H552747
possesion 12/27/05

first inside water appearance at car wash today - right front floor / water coming from top of firewall
rear right / water from behind back seat ( I think)

Not a lot of standing water but enough to notice and have tsb work done asap.