Honda recently announced that it is recalling more than 100,000 of its Ridgeline trucks because they can catch on fire after going through a car wash.
The recalled Ridgeline trucks are from the model years 2017 and 2018. Honda is also recalling Ridgelines from the current model year, it said in an announcement.
You might well wonder how in the world a fire could have its beginning in a car wash, but Honda says the vehicles are affected by fuel pump feed ports that can corrode over time. Apparently the acids in products such as typical car wash cleaning solutions contribute to the corrosion and can, over time, lead to cracks in the fuel ports that could in turn lead to leaks that could result in fires, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a news release.
The recall of 106,683 vehicles is expected to begin early next month. Ridgeline owners will be notified, as will Honda dealers. Honda will cover the expense of repairing or replacing the fuel pumps.
Some of our readers will undoubtedly recall that Honda recalled 1.4 million vehicles sold in the U.S. late last year. The vehicles were recalled for replacement of Takata airbag inflators that can explode in a hail of shrapnel. The airbag defect has already led to a number of deaths and injuries.
If you have purchased a new or used defective vehicle from a dealer, contact an attorney experienced in protecting consumers.