Honda has recalled 187,290 Ridgeline pickups from model years 2020 to 2024 because opening and closing their tailgates in everyday use can cause their backup cameras to fail.
The company tells federal safety officials at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that the problem is particularly likely to develop in cold states where road maintenance crews use road salt to make roads safer in snow. Honda says a “protective woven twisted tube, which has a high permeability to water and salt,” protects the wire powering the backup camera.
The tube can decay and break, leaving the wire inside unprotected. Shocks from normal tailgate operation can then sever the twisted tube.
The recall is nearly identical to one issued earlier for 2017-2019 Ridgeline trucks.
Honda says dealers will replace the wire with “an improved part.” The company doesn’t explain how they have improved the wire, but I’m betting on a traditional rubber sheath, which would be more water-resistant.
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