[Shadetree43]

If anyone gets a 'hit' on this recall upon entering their VIN at Honda Recall Lookup, please post to let us know (as 'confirmation' to others that the VIN-specific search is likely 'active/valid' for this issue).

Thank You!

Hi,
New member today, I've been seriously looking at RLs for past 6 months or so. One local dealer's website shows 41 in current inventory. Been communicating with "internet" person but just cannot justify reason to give up my 13 F150 Lariat at this time.
Been following this forum for nearly 2 years and the news of the timing belt "recall" sort of stopped me in my tracks.
This afternoon however I did take some random VINs of the inventory and ran them thru the Honda Recall site as well as the NTSB Recall site. I did get one "hit" of the Timing Belt Check on a 2019 Ridgeline RTL-E on both the Honda Recall checker as well as the NTSB Recall site. Last of VIN is 016613. The dealer's stock with VINs on either side of the # referenced show no recalls pending. Dealers website does not show door stickers with M/YR build date.

Have looked all over this afternoon for a VIN decoder site that shows "build date" without success. I did find that on the Honda-tech.com/forums/vindecoder.php site shows MSRP price as well as Invoice and destination amounts. May be helpful for anyone shopping.

Hope this helps narrow down range of RLs with possible timing belt issues.

 

[SchirmRL]

I had my ridgeline serviced 4-27-19 and the recall was on my 2019 . Had recall done and belt was not in lot that is bad. About a hour wait for them to check it. Yea! Last 6 of vin#003485.

 

[joseywales]

I'll tell you this, if I hadn't bought my G2 yet, I would confirm first that any G2 I was looking at was not part of this recall, or even had the recall done. As I understand it, if the rear cylinder head tests bad, the tech will install one sent to the dealer. If both heads test bad, the dealer will receive a shortblock that the dealer must assemble. They can tell me all day long these are new parts and certified techs are installing the parts. Do you know what they call a medical student who graduates with a D minus grade....Doctor.

 

[CentexG2]

another misguided over-reaction (IMO)

I'll tell you this, if I hadn't bought my G2 yet, I would confirm first that any G2 I was looking at was not part of this recall, or even had the recall done. As I understand it, if the rear cylinder head tests bad, the tech will install one sent to the dealer. If both heads test bad, the dealer will receive a shortblock that the dealer must assemble. They can tell me all day long these are new parts and certified techs are installing the parts. Do you know what they call a medical student who graduates with a D minus grade....Doctor.

Time for another reality check, IMO.

The chances of a new on-the-lot RL, even one with the 'bad belt', suffering actual belt failure and resultant engine damage is infinitesimally small. New cars in inventory found to have the defective belt with no interference damage will get a new belt, that's all, no other engine disassembly, and they'll be back to 100%. If buying a car with a timing belt and you don't trust dealer techs to manage that job, IMO you should look elsewhere for a vehicle with a timing chain.

With all due respect, IMO you're trying to create a problem that almost assuredly doesn't exist and spread fear that's unfounded.

I bought my RTL-E with 22 miles on the odometer knowing, as disclosed by the dealer, that while in dealer inventory the fuel pump assy. had been replaced per a recall. I was provided the printout documenting that prior to signing closing documents. No big wiff, glad it's taken care of.

Sorry to read of your problem in another thread but it's not a perfect world. Again: it's how humans follow-up on human failings that counts in the end. Life is much better if you give folks a chance to perform rather than expect 100% perfection and over-react when you don't find it.

Just sayin' from an Olde Phart

 

[joseywales]

I'll tell you this, if I hadn't bought my G2 yet, I would confirm first that any G2 I was looking at was not part of this recall, or even had the recall done. As I understand it, if the rear cylinder head tests bad, the tech will install one sent to the dealer. If both heads test bad, the dealer will receive a shortblock that the dealer must assemble. They can tell me all day long these are new parts and certified techs are installing the parts. Do you know what they call a medical student who graduates with a D minus grade....Doctor.

Time for another reality check, IMO.

The chances of a new on-the-lot RL, even one with the 'bad belt', suffering actual belt failure and resultant engine damage is infinitesimally small. New cars in inventory found to have the defective belt with no interference damage will get a new belt, that's all, no other engine disassembly, and they'll be back to 100%. If buying a car with a timing belt and you don't trust dealer techs to manage that job, IMO you should look elsewhere for a vehicle with a timing chain.

With all due respect, IMO you're trying to create a problem that doesn't exist and spread fear that's unfounded.

I bought my RTL-E with 22 miles on the odometer knowing, as disclosed by the dealer, that while in dealer inventory the fuel pump assy. had been replaced per a recall. I was provided the printout documenting that prior to signing closing documents. No big wiff, glad it's taken care of.

Sorry to read of your problem in another thread but it's not a perfect world. Again: it's how humans follow-up on human failings that counts in the end. Life is much better if you give folks a chance to perform rather than expect 100% perfection and over-react when you don't find it.

Just sayin' from an Olde Phart

Haha. Yeah, I bought a 19’ with 70 miles and the fuel pump recall had already been completed. At 1,072 miles it was towed to the dealer. They’re replacing the fuel pump tomorrow.

Forgive me if my confidence is shaken. I’m not spreading any fear, just facts and one man’s story. I worked in this business for 30 years. Turned wrenches, managed some of the best techs around and some not so good and worked the Honda dealer service.

BTW, I have no belt issue, as far as I know. You are correct. It’s very few RLs that have the issue, so not widespread. Of course, Takada wasn’t that widespread insitally either.

I don’t mistrust everyone I meet, but I don’t have blind faith either.
Reagan had it right, “Trust but verify.”

EDIT: I should add, I've been nothing but gracious about the fuel pump. Sat for nearly 2 hours waiting for the Honda Care tow truck. Told them they could keep their rental, since they only had one or two vehicles left to lend out. I have a 2004 CRV that seems to run like a top, so I'll spin that for a while.

The week I bought my RL, I ran into a tech I worked with, who has been with Honda for 20 years. He told me they are having enormous issues with their software. Every day, constantly having to reprogram the system. Now, at first that sounds really bad, but as a Honda tech he's going to see the "bad ones" all day, every day. In ratio, though, how many is that verses those that run without any issue. Probably pretty small I'd bet.

I specifically asked about the fuel recall and they told me the transferring dealer completed it already. Less than two weeks later, a truck I have nearly $40k into is being towed to the dealer for exactly the issue I asked about. I think I had reason to spit fire, but I didn't even a little. A couple months from now, I would have been hundreds of miles from home, with my entire family, and might not have reacted the same way, who knows.

 

[Alexderaven]

Haha. Yeah, I bought a 19’ with 70 miles and the fuel pump recall had already been completed. At 1,072 miles it was towed to the dealer. They’re replacing the fuel pump tomorrow.

Forgive me if my confidence is shaken. I’m not spreading any fear, just facts and one man’s story. I worked in this business for 30 years. Turned wrenches, managed some of the best techs around and some not so good and worked the Honda dealer service.

BTW, I have no belt issue, as far as I know. You are correct. It’s very few RLs that have the issue, so not widespread. Of course, Takada wasn’t that widespread insitally either.

I don’t mistrust everyone I meet, but I don’t have blind faith either.
Reagan had it right, “Trust but verify.”

EDIT: I should add, I've been nothing but gracious about the fuel pump. Sat for nearly 2 hours waiting for the Honda Care tow truck. Told them they could keep their rental, since they only had one or two vehicles left to lend out. I have a 2004 CRV that seems to run like a top, so I'll spin that for a while.

The week I bought my RL, I ran into a tech I worked with, who has been with Honda for 20 years. He told me they are having enormous issues with their software. Every day, constantly having to reprogram the system. Now, at first that sounds really bad, but as a Honda tech he's going to see the "bad ones" all day, every day. In ratio, though, how many is that verses those that run without any issue. Probably pretty small I'd bet.

I specifically asked about the fuel recall and they told me the transferring dealer completed it already. Less than two weeks later, a truck I have nearly $40k into is being towed to the dealer for exactly the issue I asked about. I think I had reason to spit fire, but I didn't even a little. A couple months from now, I would have been hundreds of miles from home, with my entire family, and might not have reacted the same way, who knows.

I highly doubt your fuel pump issues had anything to do with the recall. Recall is to replace fuel pumps that have broken covers. I doubt your cover was broken after 1072 miles, unless you went through a crap ton of car washes with the caustic detergent that would cause your cover to crack.
Likely scenario, just bad luck and a lemon of a fuel pump.

Edit: Or another likely scenario is they jacked up your system when they performed the cover install.

 

[SchirmRL]

For got to add build date 8-18. last 6 of vin 003485. dealer said he has not had a bad belt come to his dealership yet.

 

[snifferpro]

So, visiting Honda Recall Lookup this morning and using the 'generic' 2019 Ridgeline check for recalls I see that this campaign is now listed.

Then, entering the VIN-specific search I get "no current safety recalls for this [my 10/18] vehicle". I'll take that as 'no news is good news', for now.

If anyone gets a 'hit' on this recall upon entering their VIN at Honda Recall Lookup, please post to let us know (as 'confirmation' to others that the VIN-specific search is likely 'active/valid' for this issue).

Thank You!

Just checked and my vehicle may be affected. The build date of my vehicle is 08/18.

Emailed my service advisor and await his reply.

 

[UnicornKaz]

I highly doubt your fuel pump issues had anything to do with the recall. Recall is to replace fuel pumps that have broken covers. I doubt your cover was broken after 1072 miles, unless you went through a crap ton of car washes with the caustic detergent that would cause your cover to crack.
Likely scenario, just bad luck and a lemon of a fuel pump.

Edit: Or another likely scenario is they jacked up your system when they performed the cover install.

I don''t believe there's a cover to begin with (It's an after preventive action)

It was a concern with direct contact of "detergents" (broadly term )....and the preventive action was to install a cover (which wasn't there in the beginning). :nerd:

 

[CentexG2]

Just checked and my vehicle may be affected. The build date of my vehicle is 08/18.

Emailed my service advisor and await his reply.

I'm sorry for your result but thank you for reporting that you got a 'VIN hit' on the Honda Recall Check webpage.

Hoping that, at most, all you face is a free timing belt replacement with no other consequence.

 

[zroger73]

Remember: 99% of recalled vehicles need only an inspection to read the lot and position codes from the belt. Only 1% of those recalled will have lot and position codes that require a timing belt replacement.

10,884 Ridgelines manufactured between 6/27/2018 and 11/21/2018 are potentially affected. Only 1% of the affected vehicles contain the defect, so only about 109 Ridgelines will need new timing belts - the rest are safe.

This forum has 52,000 members including duplicates, spam, and non-Ridgeline owners. Over 400,000 Ridgelines have been sold to date. It's safe to assume that less than 10% of Ridgeline owners are members of this forum. I'd guess that less than ten members here will need new timing belts as a result of this recall.

 

[UnicornKaz]

Remember: 99% of recalled vehicles need only an inspection to read the lot and position codes from the belt. Only 1% of those recalled will have lot and position codes that require a timing belt replacement.



This forum has 52,000 members including duplicates, spam, and non-Ridgeline owners. Over 400,000 Ridgelines have been sold to date. It's safe to assume that less than 10% of Ridgeline owners are members of this forum. I'd guess that less than ten members here will need new timing belts as a result of this recall.

And the NEXT question IS...:grin:

How LUCKY are you feeling ? >

 

[Ratchet]

And the NEXT question IS. . . How LUCKY are you feeling ?

 

[Toolferone]

Had mine checked today. All good, no belt needed.

 

[snifferpro]

Had belt checked today. Lot # 88Q043. Vehicle build date 08/18.

Took approximately 1 hour.

Sort of curious why Honda is still using timing belts as opposed to timing chains in some of their vehicles.

Had a 1998 F150 till October and that had a timing chain.

 

[Alexderaven]

Sort of curious why Honda is still using timing belts as opposed to timing chains in some of their vehicles.

I think it has to do with wear on the engine, the belt just causes less of a strain on it thus the belt (reliability). And/or it’s cheaper, lighter, and gives better mpg.

 

[zroger73]

Sort of curious why Honda is still using timing belts as opposed to timing chains in some of their vehicles.

Had a 1998 F150 till October and that had a timing chain.

Here is one of many discussions timing belts versus timing chains...

https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...cellaneous-general-honda-ridgeline-discussions/215590-timing-belt-vs-chain.html

There are more if you type "timing belt chain" into the search box.

Ironically, EcoBoost-equipped F150's are experiencing early timing chain failure. Choose your poison.

 

[4Razorback]

Crap, and I just bought a new Ridgeline March 30th and hoping I would be getting away from the situations I ran into on my 2006 Colorado. Six months after purchasing it I got a notice from GM that certain engines in my models had received too soft valve seats and could incur leaking or burnt valves. Some how after owning it for 11 years - no problem, certainly not my usual run of luck.

Now with less than 200 miles on the new Honda I certainly never expected anything like this from Honda. My last Honda, 1991 Accord, was 26 years old with nothing like this.

Wonder if we will receive any kind of notification from Honda, and what to do?

 

[zroger73]

Wonder if we will receive any kind of notification from Honda, and what to do?

All of your questions have already been answered earlier in this thread.

 

[brnbear]

Part 573 Safety Recall Report 19V-298



Vehicle 9 : 2019-2019 Honda Ridgeline
Vehicle Type :
Body Style :
Power Train : NR
Descriptive Information : The recall population was determined based on manufacturing records. The
production range reflects all possible vehicles that could potentially experience the
problem. Supplier manufacturing records identified specific timing belt production lots that were affected by an improper manufacturing process. Timing belts used in
mass production have lot traceability, which allow similar vehicles to be excluded
from the recall as these vehicles were equipped with parts manufactured using a
proper process. The number of affected units is 10,884.
Production Dates : JUN 27, 2018 - NOV 21, 2018