[joseywales]

I had issues, as early as it being towed back with 1,700 miles on it, due to bad fuel pump (actually, it was repaired prior to being sold and the tech likely didn't connect the new one properly. Sat in a parking lot for 2 hours, and when I picked up the truck, the new leather smell had been replaced by the gasoline they spilled in the cab, with the obligatory greasy footprints on the tan interior.

The biggest issue with the Ridgeline is Honda and its dealers. Around here, the dealers are terrible and Honda could care less. Not sure if this is a brand exclusive problem, because we've only had Hondas in our driveway for 40 years. Or, perhaps more loyal customers get treated better...

 

[joseywales]

I've never had a relationship with a dealer that I felt like I was in good hands each and every time I went there. All I want is the person who is working on my car to care about it equally to his own car or close. The rest of the stuff like nice waiting areas, coffee, donuts and nice talking service advisors counts for little overall.

Agreed. The one tech I found, who I liked, worked next door at the Jeep dealership!

When my '23 RL was towed in to Honda with 1,700 miles, they realized the fuel pump bulletin had been performed, but not reconnected correctly. They had a female tech working on mine and I thought. (good, she'll be careful crawling around the cab, removing the tan interior seats, etc.). I couldn't have been more wrong. Greasy footprints on the armrests and seat backs, the overwhelming stench of spilt gasoline in the cab. (So much for the new truck leather smell). I left all doors open in my driveway for 8 hours, fans on front and back, which only put a dent in the smell. When I returned to have them deal with the grease, the tech, in front of the sales manager (female as well), said, "Awh, did I dirty your twucky?" I've never hit a woman, but...
They ended up wiping some spots, then recommending a cleaner, which they had, but didn't offer me a bottle. Just horrible.

VS Jeep dealer next door:

We bought a used '19 Jeep from this Honda dealer for my teen. It was losing oil like crazy. Still under Used Warranty, I called Honda and they didn't have an appointment for a week. I took it straight to the Jeep dealer instead and they took it in immediately, on a Saturday. They knew the issue almost immediately as well. ID10T error on the part of the Honda tech, who changed the oil. The filter casing is plastic, so not meant for wrenches or gorilla hands. Poor design, but most techs are aware of it and move with caution. Though we were a week past New car warranty on the Jeep, the Jeep dealer was happy to repair it (~$700-$1,200 depending). However, we let Honda deal with it, and they did, (it's possible that Honda sent it next door to Jeep, which they do on occasion). Jeep really impressed me though.

 

[joseywales]

You can visit the dealer and get the vibe right away. That said, what choice does one really have. There's a better Honda dealer, owned by the same family BTW, but it's another 20 minutes for me to get there. If I'm driving 40 minutes total, I would just drive to the tech I trained with years ago, who has his own shop. He's doing so well, he raises his labor 10% or more each year and bought the shop across the street to add 3 more bays.