Honda Ridgeline Recalled for Carwash Sensitivity
More than 106,000 2017–2019 Honda Ridgeline pickups will be recalled for potential fire risk.
Acids in carwash soap could cause the fuel pump feed port to crack and leak, the recall notice says.
Car and Driver's long-term Ridgeline is one of the affected vehicles.
We've reported on some odd automotive recalls in the past, but this one for the 2017–2019 Honda Ridgeline takes the cake. Honda will be notifying 106,683 Ridgeline owners soon of an issue with the mid-size pickup truck's fuel pump. The automaker warns that contact from cleaning solutions-specifically carwash soap-or other acids could cause the fuel pump feed port to crack. If cracked, the feed port could leak fuel, leading to a potential fire hazard.
We knew the Ridgeline was hot-we've named it to our 10Best Trucks and SUVs list three years in a row-but this is unexpected. We are midway through a 40,000-mile long-term test with a 2019 Ridgeline, and except for a some damage sustained during a traffic accident, it has been trouble-free until now. Unfortunately, our truck is in fact one of the affected vehicles.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report, the issue can happen in the event water and soap accumulate in the truck bed during the carwash process; it "can drain toward the fuel tank and fuel pump" and potentially cause issues.
Honda will notify owners of the recall, expected to begin on March 7. NHTSA's announcement states that dealers will replace the fuel pump and install a fuel pump cover at no charge if it is needed. Vehicles with tonneau covers or bed caps installed (like ours) may be at less risk, but we'll still be taking our Ridgeline to our local Honda shop soon so its fuel pump can be inspected and a fuel pump cover installed.
We suggest the other 106,682 people with one of these trucks do the same. In the meantime, wash at your own risk.
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