Honda has issued a recall of the 2006-2007 Honda Ridgeline due to an issue with the wiring harness connector for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning blower motor. The blower motor is located under the passenger’s side of the instrument panel and is accessible to kicking from the front passenger. Kicking the system can cause the connector terminal to overheat, which can cause a short circuit or a fire.
Honda dealers have been instructed to inspect the affected vehicles and install a protective cover over the system.
PRESS RELEASE:
RECALL NOTICE
Vehicle Make / Model: HONDA / RIDGELINE
Model Year(s): 2006-2007
Manufacturer: HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Mfr’s Report Date: DEC 23, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V001000
NHTSA Action Number: PE09008
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL
Potential Number of Units Affected: 7600
Summary:
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 RIDGELINE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 17, 2005, AND JUNE 7, 2006. A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR FOR THE HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) BLOWER MOTOR LOCATED UNDER THE PASSENGER’S SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY BE ACCESSIBLE TO KICKING BY THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER’S FEET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CONNECTOR TERMINAL MAY OVERHEAT, AND THIS MAY CAUSE THE WIRE INSULATION TO MELT OR THE WIRING CONNECTOR TO MELT.
Consequence:
SHOULD THE WIRING INSULATION MELTS AND THE EXPOSED WIRES CONTACT EACH OTHER IT WILL RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT AND A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF THE WIRING CONNECTOR IS DAMAGED IT WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE PROTECTIVE COVER INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
