Honda Ridgeline tonneau cover panel can fly off

NHTSA campaign 20E068000 · Reported 2020-09-17 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

medium How serious is it? About this label

Serious but not urgent — a panel that separates can cause a crash or injury for people behind you, and the notice does not tell owners to stop driving, so you can keep driving while making sure the cover is fully latched.

What's wrong, in plain English

Honda sold an accessory tonneau cover — the hard lid that covers the truck bed — as an add-on for the Ridgeline. If it is not latched securely in the open or closed position, wind can catch it and make it flip and buckle. That can bend the hinges between the middle and rear panels, and the rear panel may come off the truck. A panel lying in the road is a hazard for you and other drivers.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your Ridgeline is included, or call Honda at 1-888-234-2138 and mention recall F8M.
2. Make an appointment with a Honda dealer to have tethers and warning labels installed on the tonneau cover — the work and the updated instruction manual are free.
3. Until it is fixed, make sure the cover is fully latched in the open or closed position every time you use it.

Affected vehicles (3)

2018 Honda Ridgeline
2019 Honda Ridgeline
2020 Honda Ridgeline

Who to contact

Honda — official Honda recall lookup

Customer service: 1-888-234-2138

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Are Honda's equipment recalls just wrong labels and owner's guides? · all 7 Honda recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: EQUIPMENT
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling all Honda Genuine Accessory Tonneau Covers, part number 08Z07-T6Z-100F, sold for installation on 2017-2020 Ridgeline trucks. If the tonneau cover is not properly secured in the open or closed position, wind resistance may cause the cover to flip and buckle. If this occurs, the hinges between the center and rear panel may deform, possibly allowing the rear panel to separate from the vehicle.
Safety risk: A separated panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash or injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify all registered owners of 2017-2020 Honda Ridgelines, and dealers will install tethers onto any Honda Genuine Accessory Tonneau Cover to prevent panel separation and apply warning labels, free of charge. In addition, an updated accessory user's information manual will be provided. The recall began October 26, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is F8M.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.