2018 Honda Ridgeline: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2018 Honda Ridgeline? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 155 complaints, with Electrical Faults as the top reported area.
2018 Honda Ridgeline Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2018 Honda Ridgeline trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2018 Honda Ridgeline Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2018 Honda Ridgeline PU/CC AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
16.9% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
16.9% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2018 Honda Ridgeline has 155 owner complaints, 3 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Electrical Faults. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Honda
- Model
- Ridgeline
- Model year
- 2018
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 155
- Crash-related complaints
- 3
- Safety recall campaigns
- 6
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 22
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 19 / 26
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2018 Honda Ridgeline Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Back Over Prevention
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Back Over Prevention, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2018 Honda Ridgeline?
The 2018 Honda Ridgeline shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2018 Honda Ridgeline
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the electrical system, including battery, alternator, and wiring harnesses.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for back over prevention and engine repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the electrical system, including battery, alternator, and wiring harnesses.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for back over prevention and engine repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2018 Honda Ridgeline, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
NHTSA data for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline shows complaints concentrated in electrical faults, back over prevention, and engine problems. With 155 complaints and 6 recalls, the data suggests potential issues in these areas, though the low confidence level indicates the sample may not be fully representative.
- Electrical faults account for the highest number of complaints at 49.
- Back over prevention issues are the second most reported component with 30 complaints.
- Engine problems are the third most common complaint with 22 reports.
- Electrical faults, including potential wiring or electronic module issues.
- Back over prevention system malfunctions.
- Engine problems, such as stalling or performance issues.
All 2018 Honda Ridgeline Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 49 | 1 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 30 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 22 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 16 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 9 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Catastrophic Engine Failure. Reported to NHTSA on 10.11.24 for Recall 23.097. Investigation (RQ24013) which no issues were allegedly determined. Now a new investigation has opened PE25008: We had our engine replaced for a used one and are concerned that this engine still has …
Truck only has 40,500 miles. Was driving down road and made a clunk noise and engine seized up and wouldn't start. There were no warning signs. I had it towed to Honda dealership. Their official repair estimate states verbatim "Bearing on a connecting rod went bad and the rod s…
I had the backup camera harness recall performed on my 2018 Honda Ridgeline on 09/06/2023 by Honda of Escondido , CA. (See attached invoice of recall work performed.) On 01/27/2026, the backup camera failed to appear on the dash screen when the vehicle was in reverse. I restarte…
While driving the vehicle to the dealership to have them inspect the vehicle for a knocking noise coming from the engine at startup, the engine stalled. The engine locked up and had to be towed approximately 10 miles to the dealership. Upon inspection by the dealership after pu…
Service engine light came on and mechanic stated the failed rod bearings have made the vehicle undriveable.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH on I-40 Westbound to I-25 and making a turn in a construction zone, the passenger’s side air bag deployed without warning or impact to the vehicle. There were no reported injuri…
My check engine light came on and within minutes there was a loud noise, smoke and my vehicle lost power. I was on Hwy 20 returning to Boise, ID from Bend, OR. Luckily this occurred just as I had cell service since I was without cell service just before this occurred. This h…
Multiple warning lights appeared and remained illuminated on my dash, all related to safety features (LKAS, ACC, CMBS AND ROAD DEPARTURE). The problem was confirmed by Capitol Honda Service Department. The vehicle was scanned and stored DTC was found at INTEGRATED DRIVER SUPPORT …
Infotainment system have a black screen
Engine started making a knocking noise on start up. Got progressively worse for the next 3 days before I stopped operation. Dealer states "engine has a rod knock likely due to a spun bearing". No warning lights or messages displayed.
Had a clacking noise that got louder depending on RPM's, scheduled a visit to the dealer same day to also take care of a B1 maintenance notification that appeared 2 days prior and on the way to the dealer from work the same day the clacking noise started, the engine light starte…
The truck has a hard/rough shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear in an automatic transmission. No dash light indicating anything wrong with the engine or the transmission.
KEYLESS ACCESS CONTROL UNIT PART NUMBER: 38320-T6Z-A31 The vehicle headlights came on and dash lights flashed on and off. The alarm would also go off and on. This causes the battery to drain as well. Also I know of several other Honda Ridgeline owners who have had the same…
We were traveling up the freeway just like any other day. Out of nowhere the low oil light flashed and next thing we know a loud clanking started to happen. We were able to make it to the exit as it was right there thankfully because once we stopped I shut the engine off got out…
The transmission lost power on the highway. Whit smoke poured out from under/behind the vehicle making it difficult for drivers on the highway to see the road. The vehicle lost power and I costed three lanes to the right to get the vehicle off the highway. Transmission fluid was …
The vehicle’s front suspension system failed, specifically the driver’s side and passenger’s side front strut assemblies and the driver’s side inner and outer tie rods. These components have been identified by the dealership as needing immediate replacement. The defective compone…
As I was driving on the freeway, the vehicle lost power completely without any prior warning. All the lights on the dashboard were flashing. The vehicle could not be started again. I was stranded in the middle of the freeway at the very high risk of being rear ended given the rel…
After performing regular maintenance to Honda Ridgeline 2018 by replacing the spark plugs, spark plug number 4 was contaminated with oil. All other 5 spark plugs had not sign of oil. This was discovered during the 100K miles tune up. A leaking component (e.g. a tube seal) in t…
I went to fill my vehicle with gasoline on 02/06/2025. The 2018 Honda Ridgeline has a capless fuel system to enter fuel into the vehicle and there are two flaps that the gasoline nozzle is required to open. It repeatedly attempted to insert the nozzle and the first flap would not…
The referenced Recall for my Honda Ridgeline indicates that the fuel pump is suspect for an inadequate impeller and a possible safety problem. I have been awaiting this replacement part at least 8 months and the original recall has a date of December 18, 2023 which is over a year…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline.
2018 Honda Ridgeline Recalls
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2018 Honda Ridgeline Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2018 Honda Ridgeline reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 155 owner complaints, 3 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2018 Honda Ridgeline shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Honda Ridgeline?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (49 complaints). #2: Back Over Prevention (30 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (22 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Honda Ridgeline?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2018 Honda Ridgeline?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2018 Honda Ridgeline, NHTSA complaints include 3 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 155 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Honda Ridgeline have any recalls?▾
Yes. 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2018 Honda Ridgeline. A major recall area is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2018 Honda Ridgeline?▾
The 2018 Honda Ridgeline shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Honda Ridgeline reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2018 Honda Ridgeline based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.