Honda Ridgeline Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Honda Ridgeline options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Free VIN check
Found a Honda Ridgeline? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Honda Ridgeline has 1,414 owner complaints and 56 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2017 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Honda
- Model
- Ridgeline
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 1,414
- Safety recall campaigns
- 56
- Crash-related complaints
- 26
- Fire-related complaints
- 15
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2017 (342 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2026 (8 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Honda Ridgeline: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe HONDA RIDGELINE has 1,414 NHTSA complaints and 56 recalls on record. 26 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 1,414 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 56 federal recall campaigns
- 26 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
56 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
SEATS
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 1,414 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
1,414 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The auto idle stop has malfunctioned causing the engine to not restart in busy intersections on 2 different occasions. The vehicle has been extremely slow to start on multiple occasions and has failed to start from stopped several times. The dealer diagnosed this as a faulty starter and has had my vehicle for 20 days now with no starters available. They have offered no information on when a starter will be available. Being stalled in traffic because of an auto idle stop feature that no one wants is a safety issue.
My auto stop engine device would not restart at an intersection and it left me stranded . The truck would not move, and I tried repeatedly to get the truck moving. This has happened several times this year since December 2025. Bravo Honda, Victoria, Texas told me they were not sure what caused the problem, but they said they charged the battery and felt as if this would resolve the issue. The next time I had an issue Bravo Honda replaced the battery and I was told that was the issue. Now this time Bravo Honda, Victoria , Texas has escalated the issue to Honda tech. They have had my truck 2 days and no resolution as yet, although they believe the starter is faulty and needs replacing. This is very dangerous as I have been left stranded in heavy traffic. I feel the mechanic maybe guessing at what is wrong with the truck. The last incident happened on 09/17/2026.
2024 Honda Ridgeline, VIN [XXX], approximately 21,000 miles. The vehicle has repeatedly failed to restart in traffic after the Auto Idle Stop system automatically shut off the engine. Failures occurred XXX. During one occurrence, I was nearly rear-ended when the vehicle failed to restart as traffic began moving. The vehicle also intermittently cranks abnormally slowly when hot. The starter will crank, pause, then crank noticeably slower. I can intermittently reproduce the fail to start problem by driving until the vehicle is hot, shutting it off, and immediately restarting it. I have two videos of this condition. Honda replaced the battery, but the problem continues. The dealer reports that the battery, alternator, and starter pass diagnostic testing. I provided video documenting the abnormal slow cranking and failure to start, but no repair has been made. My primary safety concern is that Auto Idle Stop automatically shuts off the engine while stopped in active traffic, but the vehicle may then fail to restart, leaving it disabled in a traffic lane. The vehicle has already experienced this failure three times. NHTSA is currently investigating Auto Start/Stop no-restart complaints involving 2020–2025 Honda Ridgelines under EA25-004. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am reporting a recurring Auto Idle Stop no-restart and starting-system failure in a 2024 Honda Ridgeline. At approximately 35,072 miles, while stopped at a traffic light with Auto Idle Stop engaged, the engine shut off but failed to restart when the brake pedal was released. The vehicle remained disabled in the intersection until it was manually restarted, creating a risk of a collision. An authorized Honda dealer found both positive and negative battery terminals loose, tightened them, reported that the battery passed a load test, found no diagnostic trouble codes, and returned the vehicle. The battery had already been replaced at approximately 30,238 miles after a slow-start complaint and a failed battery test. The condition recurred at approximately 42,563 miles. After the engine shut off at a light, the vehicle displayed an orange “P” and “System Problem Detected - Shift to Park,” went into Neutral, and required a manual restart before Drive could be restored. The dealer later reported that the replacement battery tested at approximately 197 CCA against its 650 CCA rating, but no root cause for the rapid deterioration or the shutdown/no-restart condition has been identified. The vehicle now intermittently cranks slowly and appears strained while starting. No permanent repair has been completed. The vehicle is available for inspection. The condition creates a safety risk because the vehicle can fail to restart or move from an intersection and may enter Neutral unexpectedly.
VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WHILE IN IDLE AT STOP LIGHT
While stopped at a red light, the auto on/off feature engaged and the engine shut off. Upon release of the brake, the engine failed to restart.
Read 14 more owner reports
When stopped at a stop light the auto start feature sometimes - more often than not- fails to start back and the truck is stuck at the intersection. After putting it in park it will start after several tries. My dealership tells me there is nothing wrong with it even though it’s still under warranty. This has happened over 10 times to me
Receiving pop up faults on instrument panel. ie battery low voltage, adaptive cruise sys problem, road departure mitigation sys problem, Sys problem detected shift to park, to start engine brake and push start, idle stop engine will not restart all of these issue donot throw codes to the main ECM or BCM so dealer can't trace the problem. This has been going on since march 2025
My vehicle is currently sitting at a Honda dealership with a broken crankshaft counterweight and seized bearing. The engine needs to be replaced but Honda has refused to conduct the dealership warranty and blame shift it to a cracked oil pan that had happened in November of last year that was quickly addressed. Since then I have gone to [XXX] and back to [XXX] showing the vehicle was fine and operating. It is to my understanding that my 2024 Ridgeline has a 3.5L J-Series V6 engine. The NHTSA is actively investigating over 1.4 million Honda V6 engines for this exact connecting rod bearing seizure defect. I feel it is wrong for the dealership to pin a known defect on something unrelated and have insurance pay and avoid conducting the warranty repair. My vehicle is sitting at 39,000 miles and I was on a normal commute to work when the incident occurred and still covered under factory warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Truck fails to restart after the auto idle shut off. The battery goes dead and I cannot restart. This has happened several times so I now turn the Idle Off feature off. However, since it does not stay off permanently, if I forget to turn if off the truck may fail to restart. It has left me stuck at intersections unable to restart on several occasions.
After coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle does not automatically restart. I am presented with a message that says "system problem detected. shift to park". After shifting to park, I am presented with another message that says ""to continue to drive, depress the brake pedal and push switch." I then have to completely shut off the engine by pushing the "stop button". Then, I have to do a full restart before the vehicle starts again. This has happened 5 times in the last month. Here is a video of one incident - [XXX].[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while stopping at a red light, the Auto START feature failed to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle started rolling backwards. The brake pedal was depressed, and the PUSH to START button was depressed, and the vehicle was restarted. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,200.
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle with the Push-To-Start feature, the vehicle failed to start. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, while idling in traffic, the vehicle lost automotive power and failed to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was restarted as a temporary fix. Upon further inspection, the contact became aware of an abnormal electrical burning odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
I OWN A 2024 HONDA RIDGELINE TRAILSPORT. THE AUTOMATIC IDLE IS CONTINUOUSLY DRAINING THE BATTERY, MAKING IT HARD FOR THE TRUCK TO START. I HAVE PURCHASED 2 BATTERIES SINCE MAY 2024, WHEN I PURCHASED THE TRUCK. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE AUTOMATIC IDLE ON THE TRUCK, BUT HONDA TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. WHEN ACTIVATED, THE AUTOMATIC IDLE WILL SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC, CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE BATTERY DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO START THE VEHICLE WHENIT STALLS.
Windows and moon roof on 2024 Honda Ridgeline opens when parked. Lock button on Key fob is supposed to be pressed twice to activate this feature but opens when fob is on desk or in my pocket. No damage yet but could cause problems for theft or rain damage if parked outside when unattended
2024 Honda Ridgeline. Brakes stick or slow to release. Feels like brakes are dragging. Delayed acceleration. This is unsafe. Dealer has had vehicle 7+ days total across 2 repair attempts from March 25th 2026 thru April 1st 2026 and again April 29th 2026 and dealership still has the vehicle. Has not been able to fix the issue. Honda issued Dealer Message on August 7, 2025 stating "American Honda Motor Co.,Inc. is searching for certain 2023-2025 Odysseys, Passports, and Ridgelines with a customer complaint of the brakes sticking. Vehicle purchased April 1st 2024 and has 12,700 miles. Currently at dealership for 2nd attempt. this is a known safety defect Honda is actively investigating. Sticking brakes crash risk. Delayed acceleration. Feeling of brakes dragging. Ongoing intermittent issue. I have been offered a loaner vehicle on both occasions.
My husband was driving the vehicle to school with the sunroof shade closed. Without any impact or anything hitting the sunroof, it shattered. I tried filing a warranty claim with Honda, and they denied the claim without requesting any evidence.
The auto high beam is widely known to be so bad it behaves the opposite of how it should. It frequently blinds other drivers when it should not turn high beams on, often blinding them in the last few seconds before passing, causing a dangerous situation, not to mention the possibility of drivers thinking it was done on purpose maliciously. This has led to near road rage experiences. The high beams also rarely turn on when they should but at least there is a manual override.
LIGHTED RUNNING BOARD LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY QUIT WORKING. HONDA HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BUT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM.
My Honda CMBS system has false warnings from cars coming from the other lane and road markers setting off the system. I had numerous incidents where the steering wheel shakes and a brake warning illuminates with no possibility of an accident. After this warning the car would automatically brake to stop you. I have taken this vehicle to the dealer twice they said it is perfect. Honda knows this system is defective. In the owners manual they describe all the false warnings. I have experienced every one in the manual. I have begged the dealer and Honda company that I believe the camera mounted in front of the mirror is too sensitive and defective but they won’t replace it. The camera also controls the automatic bright lights and they won’t stay on for more than 6 seconds. I contend that this camera also sets off the emergency braking due to oncoming lights or reflective lights in the road. There is a class action lawsuit over this system up to a 2023 Ridgeline. All I want is a new camera and the Cmbs system to work correctly but Honda won’t repair it. They deny it is defective. They claim they can’t duplicate it. Of course they drive it once and say it’s fine. Please make Honda replace this faulty system
Showing 20 of 1,414 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Honda Ridgeline
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Honda Ridgeline, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Honda Ridgeline has 1,414 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Honda Ridgeline has 56 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 26 of the Honda Ridgeline's 1,414 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Honda Ridgeline vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Honda Ridgeline vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Honda Ridgeline has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Compare
Buyers also compare
How does the Honda Ridgeline stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
Explore
Other Honda models
By state
Check a Honda Ridgeline by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Honda Ridgeline.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Honda Ridgeline reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Honda Ridgeline reliable?
Poor. The Honda Ridgeline has 1,414 NHTSA owner complaints and 56 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Honda Ridgeline years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2017 (342 complaints), 2019 (236 complaints), 2020 (169 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Honda Ridgeline problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (324 complaints); ENGINE (290 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (190 complaints).
Does the Honda Ridgeline have recalls?
Yes — 56 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Honda Ridgeline. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.