Honda recalls 2006-2007 Ridgeline because your passenger might have a dangerous kick?

Honda is recalling up to 7,600 Ridgeline pickups from the 2006 and 2007 model years over possible HVAC issues. According to Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a harness connector above the passenger-side footwell is susceptible to being kicked by exuberant passengers. The blows can cause the connector terminal to overheat, which in turn can cause all sorts of other issues, like a short-circuit and/or fire.

If you own one of these unibody pickups, your local Honda dealer will remedy the issue free of charge by inspecting the wiring, replacing it if necessary, and fitting a protective cover to deflect the possibility of future passenger kicks. More info on the recall in the notice after the jump.

[Source: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

PRESS RELEASE

RECALL NOTICE

Vehicle Make / Model: HONDA / RIDGELINE
Model Year(s): 2006-2007
Manufacturer: HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Mfr's Report Date: DEC 23, 2009

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V001000
NHTSA Action Number: PE09008
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL
Potential Number of Units Affected: 7600

Summary:
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 RIDGELINE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 17, 2005, AND JUNE 7, 2006. A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR FOR THE HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) BLOWER MOTOR LOCATED UNDER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY BE ACCESSIBLE TO KICKING BY THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER'S FEET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CONNECTOR TERMINAL MAY OVERHEAT, AND THIS MAY CAUSE THE WIRE INSULATION TO MELT OR THE WIRING CONNECTOR TO MELT.

Consequence:
SHOULD THE WIRING INSULATION MELTS AND THE EXPOSED WIRES CONTACT EACH OTHER IT WILL RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT AND A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF THE WIRING CONNECTOR IS DAMAGED IT WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE PROTECTIVE COVER INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

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