That might be the least of possible fit and finish issues with a RL...save it and add it on the list when you go in for service.

 

I would mention it to the dealer, but be prepared for it to look worse after they massage it a little.

 

On my 17' I have a spot on the rear pillar behind the drivers side of the cab. It's been there since new and I noted it at purchase. But, I've had a lot of vehicles over the years brand new and if I took everyone of them in for all the paint defects I would have gone nuts! It's not worth it and while I look at that mark and think "yep there it is" again, I don't think I need to get it fixed. It's fine and it's like that first dent you get on the vehicle after it's new and you say "well there it is, now i don't have to worry so much about it and where i park it now". Yep. That dent.

 

Too much light in the pic. Make sure all the lights are off in the dead of night when you post pictures.

 

If you have to look for gap issues or defects, you are looking too hard. If they don't hit you in the face, don't worry.

 

I wouldn't look so hard.

 

Yea I know I'll be numb at some point and it's not worth spend time to go dealer... I just want to ask to make me feel better lol
but here is more photo under bright light

thank you guys all the comment

 

Lol no issues.

 

That is totally within Honda's build tolerances 1/16th" to 1/4th"

 

Not something I'd notice. Push on the bumper, does it move at all? If it's not loose, the clips are probably seated as they were placed and there really probably isn't much you or the dealer can do, other than maybe break some clips and scratch the paint. I knocked part of my bumper out of place when I hit retread a few years ago. Popped it back into place and it seems to settle right back to where it was initially installed.

 

Bumper cover. No functional issues. Id leave it alone

 

I love my ‘22 RTL-E, but the fit & finish of our ‘21 Toyota Venza is significantly better. My ‘17 and ‘22 RTL-Es have the worst fit of any Hondas I’ve had. I’ve had Hondas and/or Acura since 1975 and Toyotas/Lexus’s since the mid-80s. Toyota is winning this contest!

 

Aw, c'mon people, if you didn't notice it before you purchased it then how bad can it really be? Besides, you purchased a Honda, not a Lamborghini or a Rolls Royce, really now?

Bill

 

My front bumper covers on all three of my first generation Ridgelines popped out over time on one side or the other - not something I'd notice before purchase because it wasn't like that at the time of purchase.

I noticed that the front bumper cover on my '21 is beginning to pop out on the passenger side.

 

Bill,
As a dentist, my patients’ first perceptions as to the quality of my work came from the external appearance of my office, closely followed the reception office (& receptionist), and maybe the most important - the appearance/cleanliness of the patients’ bathroom. Then, the perception of the quality of my work is further affected by the apparent cleanliness of the operatory, the staff, etc. ALL OF THESE ARE EXTERNALS AND DO NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE QUALITY OF MY , OR ANY OTHER DENTISTS’ WORK!

However, there is a positive correlation between offices that are sloppy on these and the quality of the actual work. Though some clean appearing dental offices have poor quality work and some sloppy looking dental offices have quality work, in general I believe that the external appearance reflects the quality of the work.

Now, a question. Which vehicle would likely have the higher, internal quality: the one that has excellent fit and finish or one that does not? Yes,, Honda is loosing this race.

 

Gee SEW. I do believe that you have failed to understand the meaning of my post?

Bill

 

Bill,
I likely did and apologize if i took it wrong in a negative sense. Background: having owned Hondas/Acuras almost continuously since 1975 (1992 legend LS for 13 years, 156K, 2008 4dr Si - favorite car, 2013 Accord V6 EX-L - perfection, and others) and Toyotas/Lexuses since the mid-80# (2006 RX400h - 11 years, 2016 RX350 5 1/2 years, and others 2 Tundras and 2 4Runners) and sensing a virtual tie in construction and quality of the 2 makes, I don’t think the 2 RLs are quite in the same ballpark. No buyer’s remorse at all, but out newest Toyota (‘21 Venza ) seems to have perfect fit and finish whereas the RL doesn’t. Still, to me, no other truck comes close to the RL.
However, along with the lesser fit and finish of the ‘17 RL, i had more problems with it, including transmission failure that all the problems combined over the last 30 years. The only problem over the past 30 years as a leaking plastic radiator on the 92 Legend at about 120K miles and 11 years old. Easy replacement.
So, to go along with the article posted elsewhere on the board, i do believe that Honda’s quality has slidden some lately (since 2015). I also believe it will come back.

PS The Venza is the first time while owning 1 of each make that the Toyota is actually my prefered vehicle to drive.

 

Honda's quality is a mixed bag. Some models like the now-discontinued, Mexican-built Fit are still near the top of their class while the quality of others such as the models coming out of Alabama (including the Ridgeline) have tumbled.

A couple of years ago, Honda acknowledged their "quality crisis" and said they were going to make changes in an effort to improve it. That's great, but it took years for quality to decline and it'll take years to bring it back - IF they're actually serious about it.

I'm not confident that Honda quality will ever be what it once was. Why? Because Honda is learning that quality is NOT the deciding factor for the majority of automobile purchases. If it was, brands like Mazda and Toyota would be selling more vehicles than brands like Ford and Jeep. Chrysler is selling nearly as many Pacificas as Honda is Odysseys. Kia and Hyundai sell more Tellurides and Palisades than Honda sells Pilots.

Just look at those of us who still love and keep buying Ridgelines even though they're not as well built as they used to be.

 

...
Just look at those of us who still love and keep buying Ridgelines even though they're not as well built as they used to be.

That's because they have us over a barrel. If you need a mid-size truck, it's either the crappy Ridgeline or the even-crappier competition.

If Toyota ever comes out with a "Ridgeline", I suspect many of us will be jumping ship.

GM, Ford and Stellantis have learned that you can get away with shoddy quality by offering class-leading gizmos, geegaws and other amenities. Honda does not have that arsenal to back them up when the masses start realizing the quality isn't what they thought it would be.

Outside of some VCM issues, Honda still makes the best overall engines, but that will only get them so far. They need to get their quality back if they want to maintain their legacy.

 

At almost 75, and now putting the most miles on the Venza, i expect to put < or ~ 10K miles a year. Therefore, 10 years or more to even reach 100K. Very possibly, this’ll be my last truck. I keep my vehicles near showroom condition.
I sold my ‘17 RL much earlier than I had planned when I purchased it due to my loosing faith in it’s long term reliability. If there’s a repeat performance, I doubt that I’ll do a repeat performance.
I do believe that the ‘22 is a step up from the ‘17. The transmission and fuel injectors are major upgrades.

I just never thought I’d ever make such a post about Hondas.

 

The problem with midsize trucks in the US is that they're kind of a forgotten level. Everyone is focused on the full size haul the whole house every day pickup truck. The newer tech is always slated for the full size trucks and then maybe five years later the mids get it. It's kind of a unique thing here. In Israel there is pretty much no car / truck "culture" and trucks are rarely ever seen outside of the trades or businesses. I personally do not like driving anything big. Even for my lawn care business I own a midsize. The smaller trucks seem to get less R&D.

The tacoma is the only other truck I've seriously considered but the 2GR-FKS engines are prone to some inherent oil and coolant leaks. I like the ridgelines wide bed I feel I would get more use out of it. I guess if we can wait out the next 5-10 years maybe quality will be back to good levels.

 

Perhaps this has already been discussed but I wish the Ridgeline was still built in Canada. I wonder why it was moved to Alabama.

 

I wonder why it was moved to Alabama.

I don’t have your answer but usually when I have “I wonder” question then add money to the discussion, you frequently have your answer.

 

I have a few friends/relatives who still aren't totally comfortable with Japanese-made vehicles (two had fathers in WW2; understandable), so if it comes up I point out that my Honda or Toyota (etc.) was made in Canada near Toronto or, now, in Alabama, and I'm glad that they are for the obvious patriotic/workforce reasons. But my 2002 CR-V, built in Japan, was a phenomenal vehicle for us, and so is our current SUV, a Toyota product. Not making any kind of big "statement" about it - still want them to be made here - but why is the quality of the imports better? Or is that just my perception?

Thoughts?

 

Japanese automakers have much tighter controls on their suppliers, and actually own many of their suppliers. Some of their business practices are frowned upon or downright illegal in the U.S. business climate, but it does make for very high quality vehicles.

Many Mazda vehicles are still made in Japan; hence, their overall high quality scores.

 

I have to keep an eye on my wife (love her dearly). She sees something on boob tube that "Looks" good. "Oh, let's get one of those." Typical American buyer. Not looking below the surface.
Just look at the physiology put into the commercials. It's all feel good & image. Very little ABOUT the product. Sadly, it seems to be working for them.

 

Decades ago, car and other products‘ commercials were about the details and qualities of the products. Then came the Mercury automobile commercials. All about image and virtually nothing about the car. IT WORKED!
As time has passed, very little is ever stated about the vehicle’ qualities; rather, only the image associated with owning one . Classic examples are the Lincoln and Cadillac suvs Commercials. To me, these types of commercials are intellectually insulting. But, they work.

 

I’ve been married 53 1/2 years. To the same female!
We both are fiscally responsible. She has total freedom and “lets” me have the same freedom.
Seriously, any major expenditure is thoroughly discussed; and if either of us is reluctant, we generally don’t proceed.

 

Don't forget to throw a dog in there to get their attention.