2006–2014 Honda Ridgelines Recalled for Fuel Tank Detachment Risk

• honda is recalling 112,060 ridgeline pickups due to risk of rear-frame corrosion that could lead to the fuel tank becoming unsecured.
• unsecured fuel tanks are in danger of sustaining undercarriage damage that could cause fuel leakage and pose a fire risk, the nhtsa report says.
• the recall applies to ridgelines produced between october 2004 and june 2014 that were sold or ever registered in salt belt states. the report claims that the road de-icing agents used in these states are what causes the corrosion.

more than 112,000 honda ridgeline pickup trucks sold or ever registered in northern states are being recalled because their fuel tanks could become detached. according to filings with the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa), the area where the fuel tank mounting bands are attached could corrode and separate from the rest of the frame. should the fuel tank then become unsecured, damage from undercarriage impact could cause a fuel leak and potentially a fire.

the affected area, which the nhtsa report calls the salt belt region, includes connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, washington d.c., and wisconsin. road salt used to de-ice and maintain roads in these states can accumulate on the rear frame, causing the corrosion detailed in the recall.

the dealer-provided remedy includes attaching a reinforcement brace and applying anti-corrosive wax. if the vehicle is damaged beyond repair, the dealer may offer to repurchase the vehicle. in addition, owners who paid to have these repairs done at an earlier date will be eligible for reimbursement.

honda notes there have been no reports of fires or injuries related to the issue. however, between november 2016 and november 2021, five customer complaints related to the defect were received, none of which claimed fuel leaks had happened. dealers were notified of the issue on june 17, and affected vehicle owners will be notified starting august 1. until then, the report says, loud noises coming from the fuel tank or the rear frame could indicate that the area has corroded, and owners can use the nhtsa recalls website to check if their vehicle is affected.

source:caranddriver.com