Some Ridgeline, Passport and Pilot models dating back to 2016 are affected.
It’s not easy to have your hood open suddenly at high speed. Honda was forced to recall close to 725,000 cars in the United States due to this potential situation, but the automaker insists that there have not been any injuries or accidents related to the recall.
This problem affects some Honda Passport and Ridgeline models. Some cases go back to 2016. This is a quick reference chart that shows the specific year-model vehicles affected by the recall.
Model |
Model Year Included in Recall |
| Honda Ridgeline | 2017-2020 |
| Honda Pilot | 2016-2019 |
| Honda Passport | 2019 |
Hardware is not the problem. Honda claims that the gap between the grille and closed hood on these models may be too wide, which could prevent full contact between the rubber seal and the hood. This allows for more airflow which can cause vibrations between the surfaces. The excessive movement can cause damage to the latch or the hood striker over time. Even at a low speed, airflow could flip the hood upwards, which would cause damage in the best case. The lack of visibility could cause a whole new set of problems.
It is very simple to fix. Honda will inspect the hood, hood striker and check for damage. The striker will be strengthened and replaced if there is damage. The hood will also be replaced if there is damage to the area outside of the striker.
This recall affects 724,826 vehicles in the United States. But the problem does not end there. Automotive News reports 788.931 vehicles worldwide are affected, but there is no breakdown of the locations where these recalls will occur. It is not possible to determine the total number of affected models.
Honda will send a notice to Ridgeline, Passport and Pilot owners in the United States in mid-January 2022. Honda also advises owners can check www.recalls.honda.com or call (888) 234-2138 to see if their vehicle is part of the recall.