Honda’s recalling about 725,000 late model Passports, Pilots and Ridgelines to address a problem with the hood striker area.
The problem involves certain 2019 Passports, 2016 through 2019 Pilots and 2017 through 2020 Ridgeline pickups. The problem hasn’t been tied to any crashes or injuries, according to Honda.
Owners who take their vehicle to a dealership will have the vehicle inspected. The check will include the hood striker and hood for potential damage. If the damage is severe enough one or both may be replaced at no cost to the owner.
What’s the problem?
The gap between a closed hood and the upper grill of certain vehicles may be too large to allow full contact between the hood and the rubber seal meant to prevent air flow and reduce vibration between the two surfaces.
Over time with high-speed highway driving, excessive movement of the hood caused by air flow through the gap may lead to damage to the hood striker and, potentially, to the hood itself. Such damage could ultimately lead to unexpected hood opening while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
“Honda is announcing this recall to encourage each owner of an affected vehicle to take it to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda,” the company said in a release.
Honda will notify owners by letter starting Jan. 17. Owners can also determine if their specific vehicles are included in the recall by visiting http://www.recalls.honda.com/ or by calling (888) 234-2138.
“I don’t have time, let the co-op design it. It’s only a hood seal.”