If I could, i'd return my 2008 ridgeline

[Dominator]

So I finaly got my ridgeline from Parkway Honda in Toronto after a month or so, did a visual check, signed the papers and was on my way. Didn't take long to notice a pulling to the right. I call the sales manager and he obviously says bring it in. I bring it in 2 days later. I get it back and of course the there's still a pulling to the right. The paper work says its 0.0. I it means its alighned but still pulls to the right, usually. Also, the steering wheel is still not centred and when I accelerate from a light it pulls sharply to the right sometimes. Now I know I have to go to war. Why do I think this? because this seem to be the case with every dealership I've ever delt with and didn't get the car fixed the first time. After all, why wouldn't it have been fixed the first time, no? The difference this time is I spent more money for a Honda so as to avoid being treated the same way that I've been treated by GM and Chrysler. I could have spend 10k less for a Dakota for example. So I'm waiting for my week off in May, frankly depressed about my purchase and I'm phsycing myself up for the inevitable fight. After all they now have my money.

[25 Year Honda Owner]

Originally Posted by Dominator

So I finaly got my ridgeline from Parkway Honda in Toronto after a month or so, did a visual check, signed the papers and was on my way. Didn't take long to notice a pulling to the right. I call the sales manager and he obviously says bring it in. I bring it in 2 days later. I get it back and of course the there's still a pulling to the right. The paper work says its 0.0. I it means its alighned but still pulls to the right, usually. Also, the steering wheel is still not centred and when I accelerate from a light it pulls sharply to the right sometimes. Now I know I have to go to war. Why do I think this? because this seem to be the case with every dealership I've ever delt with and didn't get the car fixed the first time. After all, why wouldn't it have been fixed the first time, no? The difference this time is I spent more money for a Honda so as to avoid being treated the same way that I've been treated by GM and Chrysler. I could have spend 10k less for a Dakota for example. So I'm waiting for my week off in May, frankly depressed about my purchase and I'm phsycing myself up for the inevitable fight. After all they now have my money.

I had a virtually the same problem with my '08 Accord. Several trips to the dealer with no results. I talked to the shop foreman and told him something had to be done. He drove the car and agreed!! He said it was most likely a bad tire or wheel, he did not know. Pulled a new Accord in off the lot and swapped all the tires and wheels with me. Been great ever since!!

[ROTORRAY]

Don't panic! I had a similar problem. Was it the road? Who knows. At 5K miles I rotated the tires front to back. Problem solved!! I just did another rotation, front to back, and feared the worst because now it was configured as when I purchased it. Took it for a drive and it was straight as an arrow! I have no idea what originally caused the problem but it appeared to be gone, for now anyway. There's been a lot written about this subject with several possible solutions. Why it's there so frequently I have no idea but it's obviously a common problem and Honda has to be aware of it. Why they don't address it properly with the customer instead of the run-around game is anyone's guess. If they would just address it when it comes up it would save a lot of folks a lot of grief. This is why I do all my routine service and only get to the dealer for warranty work. After the warranty is out I'll go to a good local independent Honda shop. I just don't need the dealer runaround. I can put up with it on the sales floor because I expect it there. I've had lousy experience with my Acura (MDX) dealer and I won't let them do it to me again! My recommendation, as I have said many times, is to purchase the shop manual (approx $70) and educate yourself to the routine stuff. You'll be money ahead and more in "one" with your vehicle. JMHO

[djeaux]

We've had pull-to-right problems on one Accord & a couple of Odysseys. In every case, the pulling was cured by changing out the OEM tires. (We like Toyo directional tread "Touring" tires, but YMMV.)

[shamrockshooter]

Most roads are crowned in the center so if you are in the right lane, they will naturally pull to one side. If they did the alingment, and it was true, then I would rotate the tires and see if makes a difference.

[wrenrj1]

Originally Posted by shamrockshooter

Most roads are crowned in the center so if you are in the right lane, they will naturally pull to one side. If they did the alingment, and it was true, then I would rotate the tires and see if makes a difference.

+1 also consider that with a new alignment, you've probably got a better alignment than most of us straight out of the factory.

[25 Year Honda Owner]

Originally Posted by wrenrj1

+1 also consider that with a new alignment, you've probably got a better alignment than most of us straight out of the factory.

I don't agree with that statement. After 13 Hondas the '08 Accord is the only one ever with an alignment problem. That is not counting the 1982 Accord after I ran over a crosstie!!

[Dominator]

Thanks for the responses guys, just to be clear, I am aware of the roads. I usually drive for a living and more than one type of vehicle. Also, I tested a couple of friends pickups because I don't drive pickups at work and wanted to be sure it wasn't a pickup thing, silly I know but wanted to rule out everything I can, and I also drove my own 2005 caravan on the same roads for comparison also. None did what the ridgeline did. I take my hands off the wheel and it usually goes for the sidewalk right quick. Now I know better than to test this in the right lane but even then, the other cars didn't pull. What I did was wait for openings and drive in the centre of a four lane road or the centre of a side street. I don't think its a "normal" alignment thing because its not always there 100% of the time either. One thing is for sure and consistant is the steering wheel not being centered. 90% of the time it pulls to the right unless I'm in the passing lane (left) of a 3 way highway. What doesn't happen every time is when I go from a stop to accelerate, the wheel jerking left or right. I've also noticed that turning left is a little harder than turning right, right being the direction it pulls, this is at less than 20km/h. I've also had 4 people drive it, 2 knew and 2 didn't, the 2 who didn't know mentioned the pulling within 100 yards. Telling me its more than a small problem, making me feel even worse. If I had to guess, I'd say its something to do with the steering column simply because of it not being centred but I don't really know anything about these things from a mechanical point, only a logical point of view.

Now someone sent me this service bulletin which makes me think honda knows. There's supposed to be a newer bulleting but the page wouldn't open the pdf

Vehicle Pulling or Drifting.pdf

[25 Year Honda Owner]

You should be able to turn the steering wheel loose on a smooth and straight road for a 10 count without noticing any pull to the left or right!!

[Tcape]

In talking with tire dealers over the past several years, they've told me that when installing new tires, sometimes one tire can "lead." Meaning that it pulls the vehicle to the side it's on. As has already been recommended, I'd first try switching the front and rear wheels. Obviously, if the rear wheels have a tire that's leading, it won't make much difference. It's sure worth a try. And DON'T settle for anything less than Honda making it right! You have a great truck, and don't let anything spoil it. Hang in there....you'll love your Ridgeline once you get this issue resolved.