2017 Honda Ridgeline FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WATER LEAKS IN TO THE CAPLESS FUEL FILLER AND FREEZES CREATING AN ICE DAM THAT PREVENTS FUELING THE VEHICLE.

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH CAP LESS FUEL FILLER SYSTEM. WATER ENTERS FILLER AREA EITHER FROM RAIN OR CAR WASH. IN COLD WEATHER, WATER FREEZES AND YOU CANNOT GET GAS FILLER PUMP INTO CAP LESS FILLER TUBE IN VEHICLE AS ICE FORMS BLOCKING ENTRY. VEHICLE OWNER IS LIKELY TO USE SOME FORM OF HEAT TO MELT THE ICE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AT A GAS STATION. IT HAS OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS.

ICE FORMS BETWEEN THE OUTER FLAPPER AND THE INNER FLAPPER OF THE CAPLESS GAS TANK IN THE FUEL DOOR. THIS PROHIBITS THE OWNER FROM PLACING THE FUEL NOZZLE INTO THE FILLER NECK TO ADD GASOLINE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENS WHEN OUTDOOR AMBIENT TEMPERATURES REACH FREEZING. IT IS MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN WHEN IT SNOWS, RAINS, OR THE VEHICLE IS TAKEN THROUGH A CAR WASH.

UNABLE TO FILL UP GAS DUE TO ICE FORM AND ICE FORM IS DUE TO WATER RETAIN IN THE CAP-LESS GAS FILLER.

WATER INTRUSION IN FUEL FILL COVER

RAIN/SNOW WATER LEAKED INTO THE CAP-LESS GAS FILLER NECK. WATER SETTLES BETWEEN THE OUTER AND INNER FILLER FLAPS. EXPERIENCED THE WATER FREEZING WHICH PREVENTED THE OUTER FLAP FROM OPENING INWARD. BECAUSE OF THE ICE BLOCKAGE, WAS UNABLE TO FUEL VEHICLE DURING FREEZING TEMPERATURES. THE INABILITY TO FUEL THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A LIFE-THREATEN SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE IS STRANDED IN FREEZING ENVIRONMENTS. REQUESTING A RETROFIT TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION OR TO ALLOW PROPER DRAINAGE.