Honda Ridgeline
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
10 model years analyzed (2017–2026). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database — the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific Honda Ridgeline? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
⭐ 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.
AI Interpretation
High ConfidenceAverageNHTSA complaint data for the Honda Ridgeline (2017–2026) shows a high volume of reports, with the 2017 model year accounting for the most complaints. The electrical system and engine are the most frequently cited components, though no single issue dominates across all years.
- The electrical system received 287 complaints, the highest among all components.
- Engine complaints totaled 237, making it the second most reported component.
- The 2017 model year had the most complaints (328), while 2026 had the fewest (6).
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- ENGINE
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The 2017 model year has the highest complaint count (328), driven largely by electrical system and engine issues. The 2019 model year also shows elevated complaints (226).
The 2024–2026 model years show the fewest complaints, with 2026 having only 6 reports. This may indicate improved reliability or lower production volumes.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for electrical system and engine repairs
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
- Check for any unresolved complaints related to exterior lighting
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
42 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.
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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.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 1,294 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
1,294 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.
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
The Automatic High Beam system does not work properly and are very inconsistent. When enabled, the high beams often turn on for a brief moment then turn off. Sometimes this occurs when there is a road sign reflection or a light on a home on the side of the road. When the system is enabled, the high beams often fluctuate on and off even when there is no oncoming traffic. What is worse is that the high beams sometimes remain on with oncoming traffic, blinding the oncoming driver. I am reporting that this has occurred ever since I purchased the vehicle in 2024. The dealer indicated this is a known problem and that Honda doesn't seem to be doing anything about it.
The Auto High Beams (AHB) fail to work correctly. When set to on, they will come on for maybe 3-4 seconds then turn off, and maybe repeat the next time. The bigger issue is they fail to turn off many times when approaching oncoming traffic. The feature is dangerous by not turning on when they should and not turning off when they should. This is a widespread problem reported by many. The Honda dealer said they adjusted the sensitivity of the AHB when in fact there is no such adjustment. There is clearly something wrong with the implementation on the Ridgeline as other same year Honda models (we have a 2924 CRV) do NOT have this problem.
Vehicle has stalled after being stopped at red light. Does not occur all the time. Only when in idle mode.
Auto Start/Stop Malfunction. On two occasions the Auto start/stop has shut the engine off at a stop light and after releasing the brake the vehicle went completely dead. Dashboard/radio and all electronics dead. After multiple attempts the vehicle finally restarted. Now the normal start is sluggish like a low battery. Battery was replaced under warranty and check out multiple times by the dealership with them not able to find any issues.
The vehicle’s engine and powertrain management system repeatedly fails with multiple DTC's triggering a full-system cascade of safety-critical warnings and automatic power-limiting. The issue affects the engine, transmission, emissions, AWD, brake system, stability assist, steering assist, ABS/VSA, hill-start assist. The vehicle is fully available for inspection upon request. During each failure, the vehicle abruptly enters reduced-power “limp mode” without warning—resulting in loss of engine power, disabled AWD, and disables all safety/stability systems. These events have occurred in normal traffic, including at red lights and in intersections, creating a risk of rear-end collisions, inability to accelerate, and loss of vehicle control. I transport an autistic child, making reliability and predictable vehicle behavior critical to passenger safety as well. The problem has been reproduced and documented by multiple authorized Honda dealerships. The vehicle has now undergone 13 repair attempts in the first 14 months of ownership, across 6 different Honda dealerships. All have been unable to diagnose or permanently repair the defect. The vehicle has been repeatedly inspected by Honda technicians, who escalated the issue to Honda Tech Line. Tech Line documents (dated 10/1/25) show that no aftermarket modifications exist and that the failure is verified but intermittent and ongoing. Warning Lamps / Symptoms: Each failure event triggers a full dashboard sweep including: – AWD System Problem – Emissions System Problem – Transmission System Problem – Power Steering System Problem – Vehicle Stability Assist Problem – Hill Start Assist Problem – Brake System Warning – Road Departure Mitigation Problem – Blind Spot Information System Problem There is a federal lawsuit filed filed in Oregon District court case 6:25-cv-02142-AP
Between 1,000-1,400 rpm there is a lower end engine knock.sounds like a bearing.
I was driving alone on US-HWY 45 in Chunchula, AL......I heard the loudest noise ever sounded like a high power rifle blast in my ear then I was showered with glass. The sunroof exploded. I had a police report written, I literally thought I had been shot at. There was only myself and one other very small vehicle way ahead of me. No trees hanging over the road or anything.
While idling at a traffic light,2 systems shut down: Adaptive Cruise Control & Road Departure Mitigation System. Also the BRAKE SYSTEM light came on, but the brakes continued to work.
Using the Automatic High Beam system, the high beam may come on even if a car is coming toward me. Sometimes, the high beam will not transition to low beam until the incoming car is real close to me. The incoming car would put his high beam on to warn me. As well, the high bean can randomly transition to low beam for no reason. And a second after, come back to high beam. Really dangerous. I had other cars with this system and never had that kind of problems.
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the brakes were independently activated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was not informed of the diagnostic results. The contact was informed that unknown repairs were being performed. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred more than thirty times. The contact stated that with 137 miles on the vehicle, the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure was diagnosed as a failed brake switch, and the warning lights were reset. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The contact requested that the dealer buy back the vehicle, and the request was denied. In addition, the contact stated that he feared driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137.
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, there was an extremely loud banging noise detected, and the sunroof exploded upward and outward without warning or impact. The driver and his wife sustained a piercing, ringing sound in the ears, but medical attention was not provided. The local dealer was contacted, where it was diagnosed, but they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 12,246.
Auto-dimming headlights do not work properly, not always dimming for oncoming traffic, and/or randomly switching between high and low beams without cause. This blinds and confuses oncoming traffic.
The auto High beam function on this vehicle is absolutely useless. It dims when it should be on. It dims needlessly for highway markers and road signs. The constant on and off of the high beams on a dark road with no other cars is dangerous. This system on the ridgeline is dangerous. I have the system on other cars and it works almost perfectly but not in this vehicle.
Experiencing numerous false error warnings from Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) when meeting oncoming vehicles on straight or slightly curving two lane roads. I have taken my vehicle three times to be serviced for this specific reason and a Blind Spot Information System error. The BSI appears to be repaired now but the false CMBS warnings still have not been repaired. The most recent incidents listed below occurred today after picking up the truck from the BSI repair.
I am filing this complaint regarding the OEM General Grabber A/T tires (date code 1424) that came with my brand new 2024 Honda Ridgeline, purchased in June 2024. At approximately 16,000 miles, I noticed significant dry rotting and cracking between the treads on all four tires. This was observed right before a planned long-distance trip, raising serious safety concerns. I maintain proper tire pressure and take excellent care of my vehicle, and I live in Vermont where the climate is harsh but not extreme enough to justify this kind of premature deterioration. The dealer referred me to Honda’s 1-800 number, who then directed me to Continental, the parent company of General. Continental opened a case and instructed me to visit a Continental dealer, who confirmed the dry rot but said they need to pull the tires to send them back to Continental for inspection before they decide whether to approve the warranty claim. Meanwhile, I am expected to purchase a new set of tires upfront. This process is not only burdensome but also concerning given the potential safety risk of these tires. Tires with only 16k miles should not be deteriorating like this, and I believe other owners should be aware of the issue. Please investigate the integrity and safety of these tires, as the premature dry rot could pose a serious hazard to drivers.
Showing 20 of 1,294 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check a Specific Honda Ridgeline
This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.
📖 Understanding This Data
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 1,294 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 42 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. 25 of the Honda Ridgeline's 1,294 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 AI Rating Calculated?
The AI reliability rating (Average) 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. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision — always verify with 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.