Again, great catch. You should forward your videos/findings to Honda USA. They will probably tell you to kick rocks though. At the very least, getting this info to our local dealers will let them know of the issue. This should be a mandatory PMI Check on all new Ridgelines from the dealers, before they can be put up for sale.
LOL, I saw your other video first last night (TH-cam analytics at work) and commented it appeared to be a design flaw not having a cable retention bracket and not like Honda engineering to miss that. Good to see it’s a relatively easy fix and I will be adding the zip tie to the bracket instead of the clip when I get my Black Edition next week. Great content, keep it up as there’s very little performance content on the Ridgeline. I’m looking to dial in the suspension on mine as I don’t off-road. Looking hard at a set of 19” rims and some Pilot Sport 4 SUV shoes to wake up the driving experience.
Thx much for this informative, well-communicated video... i just checked my '17 RTL-E... cable is installed properly but I zip-tied it anyway. I watched all yer ridgeline videos - very well done indeed! Keep up the great work!
Wow, great information video. I love the Ridgeline. I had a 2019 which I just gave to my son and bought a new 2023. I have had no issue with the trunk. Fantastic job staying calm and finding a way to open it in your first video.
I have a 2018 RTL-E and noticed lots of problems with my truck…mpg…only does 13 city no traffic and 17 highway at 70-75 mph…rust on top of rear doors… under the top rubber seal…doors aren’t good to save them any longer…water leaks from the roof under both sides were the plastic runs from front to rear…i had problems with gate lock cable too…could open sideways…cable was out of place…etc etc…its so much bad stuff that i can’t believe that even Honda USA never did anything to fix…so next week will be the last time i will ask to take care all those issues…luckily i have extended warranty for 7 yrs or 120k miles…lets see what happens next…i spend so much money in extras that sucks big time getting another one…i had a 2017 same model and trade in because of lots of issues too. I cant believe that Honda build this truck with so many problems. Gret videos Yuriy 👍🏼
Great analysis of the problem. Clearly the cable was not properly installed from the factory. I could imagine there is supposed to be a keeper on the back of the cable sheath, but the zip tie certainly does the trick.
Hi Yuriy, I I did these modifications today and after watching the electronic latch move, it appears that the cable is only for opening the trunk via a key (mechanically). If you watch the cable when depressing the button the cable does not move. At least it doesn't on my 2021. I wonder if the latch needs some lubrication if it fails to open. Thanks for all your videos!!
It’s for both. The motor pulls on the cable to unlock it. It’s a pass through system built as a redundancy. But because the cable A) was not in the bracket and B) shifted away from its seating location, the lever was never able to activate. Trust me I spent so much time after this mess figuring it out. That’s why I did two videos on the issue to confirm all possible outcomes.
I would just suggest checking the temperature rating of the zip ties you use. Not all zip ties are equal. I've seen zip ties I used for car stereo installations become brittle and fall apart due to the extreme heat conditions. I found a chart that indicated the interior of your car can reach 150 degrees F (or more!) with the windows up in summer, on a 100-degree day. I don't know how hot the trunk in a Ridgeline gets in the sun, but you can buy zip ties rated at 185 degrees and higher. Having an underrated zip tie eventually fail is just as bad as not installing it at all.
I can see that if the trunk is overloaded with the lid smashed down, the soft protective latch cover can move up enough to detach the cable off the rail. Good troubleshooting and tie solution.
So interestingly the Honda self propel push mowers cable mechanism is configured the exact same way except the mower uses an adjustable nut instead of tap. The end of the cable sits the same though.
Hi, Yuriy. Can you please tell me if there is anything under the drivers seat? Like a vent for AC/heat. Or no vents since they are in the back of center console. I don’t have my ridgeline yet and I’m trying to plan if I can mount an amp under the drivers seat
No. Trunk comes as a factory one piece assembly with the entire bed floor and I was the one who fully rebuilt the truck so I know what was done with the vehicle.
What if the actuator motor fails 😂 I placed a bicycle brake cable harness from the safety latch to the drain plug. If ever I need to use it. I open the drain cap and give it a pull 😊
The yellow tape is placed on the wire so when the person installing the device knows where to put the plastic bracket on the wire between the two tape marks. This holds it in place so it is in perfect position before he clamps it into the other metal bracket you said the wire was not into secured. Yellow tape stands out against the black underside of the trunk lid.
I never had a problem with my 2006 RTL trunk. Just bought the 2021 RTL HDP . Hopefully don’t have these issues. I did notice a slight decrease in overall quality from my 06 though. Oh well that’s the way of the world I’ve noticed. Things don’t get built how they used to.
My problem is that I can't even get the trunk open while pushing on the safety latch under the lid. I drilled a hole directly under the safety latch in the bottom of the truck, ran a rod up through the truck to the safety release, and moved it...still does not open. I have done all sort of things and still not open. 2 weeks. About to give up and cut it. No one can figure it out because even with the safety push, not opening
Great article and it might save some one a lot of trouble and expense. I would have used metal wire wrapped tightly instead of zip tie. Heat, and cold, will eventually deteriorate plastic zip tie and it will harderen and break. Just a suggestion.
Dear Honda, give this guy a free Honda...
Thank Yuriy for the comprehensive coverage of this assembly. It will surely last the test of time over the years and provide many others value.
Again, great catch. You should forward your videos/findings to Honda USA.
They will probably tell you to kick rocks though. At the very least, getting this info to our local dealers will let them know of the issue. This should be a mandatory PMI Check on all new Ridgelines from the dealers, before they can be put up for sale.
LOL, I saw your other video first last night (TH-cam analytics at work) and commented it appeared to be a design flaw not having a cable retention bracket and not like Honda engineering to miss that. Good to see it’s a relatively easy fix and I will be adding the zip tie to the bracket instead of the clip when I get my Black Edition next week. Great content, keep it up as there’s very little performance content on the Ridgeline. I’m looking to dial in the suspension on mine as I don’t off-road. Looking hard at a set of 19” rims and some Pilot Sport 4 SUV shoes to wake up the driving experience.
Thx much for this informative, well-communicated video... i just checked my '17 RTL-E... cable is installed properly but I zip-tied it anyway. I watched all yer ridgeline videos - very well done indeed!
Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the support! Glad you enjoyed the video. So far I now know of two other people who have found issues after my video.
Wow, great information video. I love the Ridgeline. I had a 2019 which I just gave to my son and bought a new 2023. I have had no issue with the trunk. Fantastic job staying calm and finding a way to open it in your first video.
Thank you! I am glad I didn’t have anything in there at the moment because I usually have it full of stuff.
Ya done got's yerself a Friday afternoon car there bud.😂
Thanks for the follow thru & showing the proper fix!👍
I have a 2018 RTL-E and noticed lots of problems with my truck…mpg…only does 13 city no traffic and 17 highway at 70-75 mph…rust on top of rear doors… under the top rubber seal…doors aren’t good to save them any longer…water leaks from the roof under both sides were the plastic runs from front to rear…i had problems with gate lock cable too…could open sideways…cable was out of place…etc etc…its so much bad stuff that i can’t believe that even Honda USA never did anything to fix…so next week will be the last time i will ask to take care all those issues…luckily i have extended warranty for 7 yrs or 120k miles…lets see what happens next…i spend so much money in extras that sucks big time getting another one…i had a 2017 same model and trade in because of lots of issues too. I cant believe that Honda build this truck with so many problems.
Gret videos Yuriy 👍🏼
Sorry to hear you are having such bad luck. It’s quite unusual. Hopefully all will be resolved.
Great analysis of the problem. Clearly the cable was not properly installed from the factory. I could imagine there is supposed to be a keeper on the back of the cable sheath, but the zip tie certainly does the trick.
Thanks for the update… I have a 2023 Ridgeline, I’d be curious if this weak point isn’t already addressed by the factory
Hi Yuriy, I I did these modifications today and after watching the electronic latch move, it appears that the cable is only for opening the trunk via a key (mechanically). If you watch the cable when depressing the button the cable does not move. At least it doesn't on my 2021. I wonder if the latch needs some lubrication if it fails to open. Thanks for all your videos!!
It’s for both. The motor pulls on the cable to unlock it. It’s a pass through system built as a redundancy. But because the cable A) was not in the bracket and B) shifted away from its seating location, the lever was never able to activate. Trust me I spent so much time after this mess figuring it out. That’s why I did two videos on the issue to confirm all possible outcomes.
i'd bet it was a factory error vs the cable popping out of that bracket.. There have been so many Alabama plant QC issues with 2nd gen ridgelines
I would just suggest checking the temperature rating of the zip ties you use. Not all zip ties are equal. I've seen zip ties I used for car stereo installations become brittle and fall apart due to the extreme heat conditions. I found a chart that indicated the interior of your car can reach 150 degrees F (or more!) with the windows up in summer, on a 100-degree day. I don't know how hot the trunk in a Ridgeline gets in the sun, but you can buy zip ties rated at 185 degrees and higher. Having an underrated zip tie eventually fail is just as bad as not installing it at all.
Thanks for the video. I checked mine and did as you did!
Right on.
Super good info!
I can see that if the trunk is overloaded with the lid smashed down, the soft protective latch cover can move up enough to detach the cable off the rail. Good troubleshooting and tie solution.
So interestingly the Honda self propel push mowers cable mechanism is configured the exact same way except the mower uses an adjustable nut instead of tap. The end of the cable sits the same though.
OK 👌 Going back in tomorrow.
Thanks for the update.
Hi, Yuriy. Can you please tell me if there is anything under the drivers seat? Like a vent for AC/heat. Or no vents since they are in the back of center console. I don’t have my ridgeline yet and I’m trying to plan if I can mount an amp under the drivers seat
No problem. Yes there are floor vents underneath both front seats. You can definitely mount a low profile amp and bass underneath those seats.
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! My black edition should be here by Wednesday. So tired of waiting!
Awesome! A 2021 black edition is a sexy looking truck. Congrats on the purchase.
Backseat drivers side best spot for amp
Could have happened when they rebuilt your truck that you purchased right?
No. Trunk comes as a factory one piece assembly with the entire bed floor and I was the one who fully rebuilt the truck so I know what was done with the vehicle.
What if the actuator motor fails 😂
I placed a bicycle brake cable harness from the safety latch to the drain plug.
If ever I need to use it.
I open the drain cap and give it a pull 😊
Smart!
Great job. Thanks for the update.
good ole Alabama installation quality. Honda engineering and parts are quality, but us idiots in Alabama cant assemble anything with high quality.
The yellow tape is placed on the wire so when the person installing the device knows where to put the plastic bracket on the wire between the two tape marks. This holds it in place so it is in perfect position before he clamps it into the other metal bracket you said the wire was not into secured. Yellow tape stands out against the black underside of the trunk lid.
I never had a problem with my 2006 RTL trunk. Just bought the 2021 RTL HDP . Hopefully don’t have these issues. I did notice a slight decrease in overall quality from my 06 though. Oh well that’s the way of the world I’ve noticed. Things don’t get built how they used to.
Everything, seems to lack quality anymore.
2021 Sport and latch failed. Our local Honda dealer replaced
Just checked my 2020 Ridgeline cable. It looks good.
Thank you so much for sharing
My problem is that I can't even get the trunk open while pushing on the safety latch under the lid. I drilled a hole directly under the safety latch in the bottom of the truck, ran a rod up through the truck to the safety release, and moved it...still does not open. I have done all sort of things and still not open. 2 weeks. About to give up and cut it. No one can figure it out because even with the safety push, not opening
Truck Yeah🇺🇸. Thank you for your time
Just did my 2022 Thanks for the tip.
Thanks 🙏🏼
We have a 2021 Ridgeline that had less than 1000 miles and the same latch failed.
Thanks for the input. I was curious if is was the only one.
@@YuriyMotso Anytime. My wife is loving her Ridgeline and I am already behind on all the mods she wants
Great article and it might save some one a lot of trouble and expense. I would have used metal wire wrapped tightly instead of zip tie. Heat, and cold, will eventually deteriorate plastic zip tie and it will harderen and break. Just a suggestion.
Thank You
Honda should do a re-call on this issue
Thank You !
Absolutely!
Thanks!
Just did the fix on my new (used) 2018. The tape was layed out differently, which might help mitigate the issue, but better safe than sorry :)
Absolutely. Costs nothing so why take the risk.
I would be concerned that a zip tie would dry out and fail. I will repair mine with a tightly wrapped wire.
Just did my 2022
I suppose Alabama factory workers just couldn't get it right.
Thanks!!!