Tailgate swing mode inop 08-011

[Sparkland]

My 2008 RTL with 670 miles on it, just displayed the previously mentioned symptoms with the tailgate. I would push on the release handle with no positive results. Guess that will be one of the things to get repaired at the first scheduled service.

The day before, I could not get my ignition key inserted completely into the ignition. It would stop about half way. I figured maybe the steering wheel could have been turned too much into the lock position which caused the problem, but that was not the case.

Fortunately after I fiddled with a little while, I was able to get it to slide in all the way. Anyone else with this problem?

Thanks, Brad

[Dustt1]

Same symptons-spongy/VERY hard to open always.
Called Serv.Dept Monday for Tues. a.m. appt. in case problem was common. "Forewarned is forearmed" & maybe they would have parts at the ready.
Got shuttled & picked up. NOT ready! Parts ordered for Appt Thurs.
Try again. Dropped of Thurs. a.m. Got shuttled and picked up.
NOT ready! Needs more parts?? See ya tomorrow.
Friday Noon dropped off and took wife to lunch. Check came as cell rang, "Ready".
They washed it and told me there was a TSB.
American Honda Motor Co. called with service follow-up survey by phone. I was kinda harsh since I'd seen info of TSB from prior yr model for same thing and I think 3 trips even w/o FYI call is UNACCEPTABLE!! They said they would also send a survey to complete in writing. SURE! Send it! Not here yet.
Service Advisor called next day. AHMC notified him of written survey that I would be receiving and it probably wouldn't be complimentary. AMEN!
He said the survey would reflect 100% directly on him. And he's a nice guy.
I asked who was responsible for notifying the actual repair tech of TSB on this particular problem? Answer was somewhat ambiguous.
I wanted to know how I could access Honda TSBs. He said they're all over the internet. That source on this forum seems to stop a couple of years ago??
He said he would send copy of TSB to me. I'm interested in the date of TSB because if the Serv. Adv.and/or tech would have had it and used it I probably wouldn't have had last 2 trips to dealer at 35 miles each. My time doesn't count!!

[Sparkland]

Just checked the VIN number on my 2008 RT and the numbers are not included in the bulletin, but my truck definitely has that problem.

I guess it would still be covered under the new warranty.

Just letting you know that there may be more vehicles exhibiting these symptoms.

Thanks, Brad

[DesertRidgeline]

There usually is. There are many bulletins that have a vin cut off but then other vehicles exhibit the same problem and can be fixed using the same methods outlined in the bulletin.

[HWK08RTX]

I got my 08 RTX 4 weeks ago same problem, opens normally (up & down), side to side, "nadda". First oil change have it worked on....
Thanks for the info..................

[ChrisM]

Originally Posted by HWK08RTX

I got my 08 RTX 4 weeks ago same problem, opens normally (up & down), side to side, "nadda". First oil change have it worked on....
Thanks for the info..................

That will be one beer please.

[DesertRidgeline]

A funny story about this...

I went to the dealer to have some warranty work done and told them about the tailgate and how mine might open perfectly 6 times out of 10. The advisor said he would have the tech take a look at it and I told him about the bulletin.

About 30 minutes or so later he comes back to me and says:
"The technician checked out your tailgate, and he checked out a tailgate on a new truck on the lot and they are both operating the same and normal".

I thought about this for a few moments and then said, "Ummm, the bulletin applies to the trucks that are new on the lot too, so perhaps they are having the same problems". The advisor says, "oh yeah, I guess so huh?"

I finally told him, "look, theres a bulletin for this, it's a known problem, if I were you dealing with me, I'd just order up the parts in the bulletin and be done with me, because I guarantee you that the next time that I try to open my tailgate it's going to do it to me, that might be tonight, it might be next week, but when it happens, Im going to be very very angry about this problem". He says, "I'll call you when the parts come in".

[staticage]

My ridgeline does the same thing , however warranty does not pay for repairs if the condition is not verified .
there are thousands of bulletins but not all apply to every vehicle and similar conditions .
Also Honda does not release thier bulletins to the public and they are changed daily ,
the same conditions repairs will change over time , and even if it is a bulletin
it does not mean its free , adjustments are covered for one year 12k
I work for Honda my tailgate works every time I have a tech test it
its driving me nuts !
mike

[HondaTech]

A dealer that refuses to perform a bulletin because it is not "acting up" at the moment is just being lazy or foolish. The bulletin is very clear and simple. Honda does not publish bulletins for the public - but they are not changed everyday. They are updated as needed. If you are having a problem with your tailgate you should be more forward and you'll get it fixed.


HT

[DesertRidgeline]

Originally Posted by staticage

My ridgeline does the same thing , however warranty does not pay for repairs if the condition is not verified .
there are thousands of bulletins but not all apply to every vehicle and similar conditions .
Also Honda does not release thier bulletins to the public and they are changed daily ,
the same conditions repairs will change over time , and even if it is a bulletin
it does not mean its free , adjustments are covered for one year 12k
I work for Honda my tailgate works every time I have a tech test it
its driving me nuts !
mike

You might be suprised at what Honda actually pays for whether they realize it or not.

As HT said, bulletins are not changed daily, that is to say that not every bulletin is changed daily, however there may be a couple of them that do get updated occasionally as is warranted.

Because this is a bulletin, it extends beyond the 12k adjustment period, as there are parts involved not just adjustments in some of the trucks cases with regards to this bulletin.

While honda does not release the bulletins to the public there are many sites out there that offer access to the bulletins however I get mine straight off ISIS since I contract as a warranty adminsitraton service for Honda, Acura dealers for the past 18 or 20 years now.

Not to be rude or anything, but if you work for a honda store and the techs tell you they can't duplicate the problem but you know it exists and there is a bulletin for it, then I have to wonder if the techs have a dislike for you, because anybody that works at any of the stores that I contract for would have the bulletin performed for them if their vehicle falls into the range of the vehicles covered and only needed to tell the technicians that the problem is there.