The transmission in my Honda Ridgeline failed while going down the highway during a road trip leaving me and my family stranded in Connecticut (we live in Ohio near Cleveland.) The transmission fell into a low gear causing the engine to surge. Luckily for us, there was an exit available. If we were in the middle of rush hour traffic it could have caused a major accident. Upon opening the hood there was fluid sprayed all over the engine bay and the transmission dipstick was missing. There were no warning lights or indication that it was overheating. I had it towed to a local Honda dealer in Connecticut, who diagnosed a new transmission. Not trusting strangers, I had it shipped back to Ohio.
The techs there were skeptical that was the issue. They were certain that the problem was a pressure switch which is prone to failure, plus the fact that there was no debris found in the fluid. Unfortunately, I was not lucky enough to have a simple fix. There was an internal failure which meant a new transmission. This vehicle has been properly maintained throughout its life. There was no reason as to why it failed the way it did. I contacted American Honda Motor Co. to see if they would help with the $10,000 repair to no avail. They cited the fact that I am the second owner of the truck which cancels out its past dealer service history and that I do not have enough brand loyalty because it is the only Honda I've owned.
For context, this is only the second vehicle I've owned. I prefer to do my own oil and fluid changes but the major stuff, (timing belt/water pump service) was done at the Honda dealer. Because I didn't buy the fluids from the dealer, that was another strike against me; not enough "dealer loyalty." It does not matter that it was Honda OEM fluid. Also, the truck having 105,000 miles is another strike; apparently, the lifespan of a Honda Ridgeline is its factory warranty of 60,000. Anything after that is sheer luck. I was under the impression that Honda made some of the best vehicles on the market, but I guess I was wrong. Beware Ridgelines and Pilots with this transmission. As they age they fail, and Honda does not make them anymore, so the only option is a remanufactured unit.
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The transmission in my Honda Ridgeline failed while going down the highway during a road trip leaving me and my family stranded in Connecticut (we live in Ohio near Cleveland.) The transmission fell into a low gear causing the engine to surge. Luckily for us, there was an exit available. If we were in the middle of rush hour traffic it could have caused a major accident. Upon opening the hood there was fluid sprayed all over the engine bay and the transmission dipstick was missing. There were no warning lights or indication that it was overheating. I had it towed to a local Honda dealer in Connecticut, who diagnosed a new transmission. Not trusting strangers, I had it shipped back to Ohio.
The techs there were skeptical that was the issue. They were certain that the problem was a pressure switch which is prone to failure, plus the fact that there was no debris found in the fluid. Unfortunately, I was not lucky enough to have a simple fix. There was an internal failure which meant a new transmission. This vehicle has been properly maintained throughout its life. There was no reason as to why it failed the way it did. I contacted American Honda Motor Co. to see if they would help with the $10,000 repair to no avail. They cited the fact that I am the second owner of the truck which cancels out its past dealer service history and that I do not have enough brand loyalty because it is the only Honda I've owned.
For context, this is only the second vehicle I've owned. I prefer to do my own oil and fluid changes but the major stuff, (timing belt/water pump service) was done at the Honda dealer. Because I didn't buy the fluids from the dealer, that was another strike against me; not enough "dealer loyalty." It does not matter that it was Honda OEM fluid. Also, the truck having 105,000 miles is another strike; apparently, the lifespan of a Honda Ridgeline is its factory warranty of 60,000. Anything after that is sheer luck. I was under the impression that Honda made some of the best vehicles on the market, but I guess I was wrong. Beware Ridgelines and Pilots with this transmission. As they age they fail, and Honda does not make them anymore, so the only option is a remanufactured unit.
- Brandon S., Ashtabula, OH, US