[Sparkland]

Honda just keeps shooting themselves in the foot, by not addressing these water issues. No one wants to be driving around, essentially in a bathtub.

 

[Sparkland]

As much as I bash Subaru, I have a feeling that Subaru of America would handle this a bit differently than Honda. I called Subaru corporate, and had my problem with the dealer, concerning my 2018 Outback, resolved in two days.

 

[Sparkland]

Mine is still under a 5/60 Hondacare extended warranty until the end of Dec '21. When I spoke with Honda Customer support a couple weeks ago, they claim that warranty coverage would be the same as the basic 3/36 at this point in time. Their specific request was that I don't disturb the panels/seals or attempt any repair until their field rep can inspect the truck.

The disconnect is no contact yet with their team, and the dealer is essentially brokering contact with the local field rep and won't take mine in for their inspection until I agree to pay for anything they do in case Honda won't pay. They seem pretty frustrated by the other leaky RL parked in their wash bay to where they don't want another.

Do you have another Honda dealer nearby that you can use for the repair?

 

[Sparkland]

I would like to be in the sales meeting, where the sales manager warns the "concierge" about all these crazy Ridgeline shoppers who might be pulling up the sill plate and checking underneath the carpet for moisture. That ought to emit some fairly interesting responses from the employees. Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "kicking the tires."

 

[Sparkland]

It does seem to be way too common for comfort. The amazing part is that it has apparently gone on for four model years now without Honda being able to correct it.

Make that from the very first Ridgelines produced in 2005.

 

[Sparkland]

Honda really ought to stop production of the Ridgeline until they solve the water intrusion problem permanently. I don't expect a 100% success rate, but anything above 95% would be a marked improvement.

 

[Sparkland]

I checked the carpet/padding after removing the sill plates on both sides, and it was dry (2017).

 

[Sparkland]

I don’t have a clue on how they do it, I wasn’t there. I’m just repeating what I was told by the service director. I have a few questions for him when I pick up my truck so I’ll find out because I’m curious myself.

Would you have purchased the RL, if you knew it had a leak before you signed the paperwork?

 

[Sparkland]

Same situation on my 2021 RTL Pewter 350 mi. Last night after over an inch of rain I checked and found dampness under the rear passenger carpet. Not soaked but enough to feel it. Here are two pics of my Tuxedo ProX15 cover. It seems like it just meets the edge of the top rail openings and there is some water leakage in the front bed corners as well. I too left GM/Ford for a better vehicle - hope Honda reacts to these issues. I wonder how may other owners who not aware off this problem are going to react once they find out when it's too late. Also called the dealer and they said as of today that they are not aware (surprise) of the leakage problems. View attachment 413664 View attachment 413665 (surprise)

All tonneau covers allow some amount of water into the bed, BUT the carpet should not be wet inside your truck. Let us know what Honda finds out.

 

[Sparkland]

Mine is done, just need to disinfect the carpets and reassemble the back seat area.
Sealed with filling the gaps with elastomeric sealer and topping over with flashing tape.
I had the hose running in the bed for a good 15 minutes without a drop of water inside.
This is the exact same open seam as my original photos and what was sealed on Celltech's truck.

The old-school mechanic in me was going insane looking at some related issues while sealing this leak:
1). There was still water inside several of those crevices 48 hours after water-testing the seam to find leaks. I had to use compressed air to dry them out before sealing. Means some are holding water and some leaked into the cab...fine. Guess what happens to trapped water in a seam below freezing? Usually doesn't end well.
2). Remember the fuel pump recall to install a protective moisture cover? The top of the pump was wet when I unplugged the wiring harness to move the access plate out of the way.
3). Remember the complaints about fuel injector failures? The top of the fuel tank has a 1/2" of standing water on top of the tank surrounding where the pump is inserted into the tank from the topside. How much of that water is leaking into the fuel???
4). Didn't unplug it but would swear the main harness connector involved in the early '17's recall is in the drench zone above the fuel tank and in proximity to that unsealed seam line.

Something tells me there is more water getting into this area than anyone planned...

The tape does look a little cleaner...

View attachment 413879 View attachment 413880 View attachment 413882 View attachment 413883 View attachment 413884 View attachment 413885 View attachment 413886

Could you please provide us with a link on where to purchase the elastomeric sealer and flashing tape, in case we decide to take this matter in our own hands? Am I understanding correctly, that the back seats have to be removed to gain sufficient access to this area to perform the repair? Thank you for the pictures.

 

[Sparkland]

In stock market jargon, they say, "a rising tide, lifts all boats." I guess in an indirect way, we are getting our Ridgelines lifted. What a mess. My carpet is not wet on either side, BUT the carpet on one side, in the second row, sure looks strange. My photos did not turn out well, so I will retake a couple.

 

[Sparkland]

Well...ya'll got me really worried and since my 2021 Sport has had every other known issue, I had to check again since we've had lots of rain lately. I drove it in a deluge the other night, and have washed it many times.

To my delight...everything was dry on both sides. I did find this curious little screw under the carpet. Looks like it was never screwed into anything as the locktite is not disturbed and there are no tool marks on it. Maybe just a screw that got dropped....or my Ridgeline has a screw loose. LOL!

View attachment 414301

While running my hand underneath (as far as I could reach) and on top of the second row carpet, I felt a lump underneath the carpet. It is about in the center (from side to side). I don't remember that lump being in my 2017, but of course I did not massage and inspect the carpet in that Ridgeline. Maybe it could be one of these curious little screws. I don't want to leave it there, for fear that a hole may develop in the carpet. But then at least I could check for moisture easier.

I finally got a decent picture of the blotchy carpet in the second row. Sure looks like water intrusion to me.

 

[Sparkland]

This whole water intrusion problem is become more and more concerning. It seems like the issue is more prevalent than ever before. If this were a Ford or a Chevy, we would be bashing those manufacturers endlessly, but it seems like Honda is getting somewhat of a pass. It's time for Honda to figure out what the problem is and fix it before we are all driving rust buckets.

 

[Sparkland]

It's easy enough to pop off the bracket (for the seat track) that runs across the width of the second row to gain better access to check for water.

 

[Sparkland]

When you put it that way (list), @longboat - it seems worse than imagined.

 

[Sparkland]

Now when you sell the RL (assuming you forget to remove the cardboard), the subsequent owner will think you were hiding your drinking habits from your wife.

 

[Sparkland]

Well I decided to check under the back carpet again today. The floor is soaked again! I’m pissed to say the least. I called the dealer again and they can’t get the truck back in for two weeks! I asked the service advisor again if they’ve had any in for this problem and she stuttered saying not that she knows of but they haven’t sold many 21s. I told her it’s a problem with the 2017’s and up. She said they don’t sell that many Ridgelines lol. This is a big dealership in a very populated and busy area.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nothing else to say but, Wow! That is terrible. If the dealer won't put you in a different Ridgeline, I would sell the Ridgeline while values are high, and move on to another manufacturer who values quality. Sorry to hear that, @Dkepp. You could also pop in on the Santa Cruz and Maverick forums and put in a "good" word for the Ridgeline.

 

[Sparkland]

Thank you for sharing the photos, @sfrl.

 

[Sparkland]

It is supposed to rain for the next three days where I live, so that will be a good test.