2006-2026 model years · 1,154+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
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According to Au7o's analysis of 1,154+ owner reports, the 2006-2026 Honda Ridgeline has 20 documented known issues, with 9 rated critical. The most serious are VCM System - Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires ($81-$8,000 repair), Fuel Pump Failure Recall (NHTSA 23V-858) ($0-$1,200 repair), Radiator Cross-Contamination (SMOD) - Catastrophic Transmission Failure ($300-$6,000 repair), Brake Master Cylinder Separation Recall (NHTSA 23V-458) ($0-$1,500 repair), Honda Sensing - Collision Mitigation False Braking ($0-$600 repair), Spark Plugs Backing Out - Coil Pack Melting and Engine Damage ($150-$8,000 repair), Takata Airbag Inflator Rupture - Unrepaired First-Generation Trucks ($0-$0 repair), Rear Frame and Subframe Corrosion - Fuel Tank Strap Mounts Rust Through (Recall 22V-430) ($0-$4,500 repair) and Hydraulic Timing Belt Tensioner Leaks Down - Belt Skip and Interference Engine Damage (J35A9) ($900-$5,000 repair). The most commonly reported issue is VCM System - Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires with 200 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $10 to $8,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Passport and Ridgeline vehicles. The inner ball joint housing in the steering gearbox assembly may loosen and detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 1,154+ owner reports, the 2006-2026 Honda Ridgeline has 20 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: VCM System - Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires, Fuel Pump Failure Recall (NHTSA 23V-858), Radiator Cross-Contamination (SMOD) - Catastrophic Transmission Failure. Of these, 9 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2006-2026 Honda Ridgeline has 20 known issues documented across 1,154+ owner reports. 9 issues are rated critical: VCM System - Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires and Fuel Pump Failure Recall (NHTSA 23V-858) and Radiator Cross-Contamination (SMOD) - Catastrophic Transmission Failure and Brake Master Cylinder Separation Recall (NHTSA 23V-458) and Honda Sensing - Collision Mitigation False Braking and Spark Plugs Backing Out - Coil Pack Melting and Engine Damage and Takata Airbag Inflator Rupture - Unrepaired First-Generation Trucks and Rear Frame and Subframe Corrosion - Fuel Tank Strap Mounts Rust Through (Recall 22V-430) and Hydraulic Timing Belt Tensioner Leaks Down - Belt Skip and Interference Engine Damage (J35A9). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Honda Ridgeline issues range from $0 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, VCM System - Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires, typically costs $81-$8,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Honda Ridgeline. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2006-2026 Honda Ridgeline with 20 documented issues documented across 1,154+ owner reports.
Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) deactivates 3 cylinders during light-load driving to improve fuel economy. When inactive cylinders reactivate, vacuum pulls oil past piston rings into the combustion chamber, causing excessive oil consumption (1 quart per 1,000-1,500 miles vs. n… Repairs typically run $81-$8,000. Severity: high.
NHTSA recall 23V-858 affects 2.5+ million Honda and Acura vehicles including 2017-2020 Ridgelines. The Denso-branded fuel pump impeller was improperly molded with low-density material that deforms over time and interferes with the fuel pump body. Pump becomes inoperative, causing… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: high.
The radiator internal cooler corrodes at seams and fittings, allowing coolant to mix with transmission fluid in a condition known as "SMOD" (Strawberry Milkshake Of Death). This coolant contamination destroys all clutch packs and friction materials in the 5-speed transmission. 20… Repairs typically run $300-$6,000. Severity: high.
The tie rod fastener connecting the brake booster and brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing. Loose or missing nuts allow the brake master cylinder to separate from the brake booster assembly, causing complete loss of brake function - extrem… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: high.
Honda Sensing collision mitigation braking system (CMBS) gives false alarms and phantom braking, particularly during left-hand turns through intersections with opposite traffic, and on windy roads. The forward collision warning also fails to alert in actual collision scenarios. N… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: high.
The 3.5L aluminum engine with steel spark plugs experiences thermal stress due to temperature differences. Spark plugs back out (loosen) due to aluminum block expansion/contraction cycles, causing misfires and potentially breaking inside the combustion chamber. Loose spark plugs… Repairs typically run $150-$8,000. Severity: high.
Every 2006-2014 Ridgeline is covered by the Takata ammonium-nitrate inflator recall campaigns. The propellant degrades with age and with cycles of heat and humidity; a degraded inflator can over-pressurize and burst its metal housing during deployment, firing shrapnel into the ca… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
On first-generation (YK1) Ridgelines, road salt, mud and debris pack into the boxed rear frame rails around the fuel tank strap mounts and the forward rear-subframe mounting points. Because the area holds moisture and was inadequately protected from the factory, the metal corrode… Repairs typically run $0-$4,500. Severity: high.
The 2006-2014 Ridgeline's J35A9 uses a belt-driven cam system with a hydraulic (oil-filled) timing belt tensioner rather than a spring tensioner. The tensioner seal weeps, the damper loses its charge, and belt tension goes slack. Ridgeline Owners Club threads report technicians f… Repairs typically run $900-$5,000. Severity: high.
Center console infotainment touchscreen goes completely black or becomes unresponsive on 2017-2023 models. System may enter infinite shutdown loop draining battery overnight. Software glitches across all model years and loose fuse connections cause complete audio/navigation syste… Repairs typically run $0-$1,900. Severity: medium.
The Ridgeline's unique in-bed trunk has drainage holes and weep holes designed to channel water out. These drainage holes frequently clog with leaves, pine straw, tree debris, pollen, and mildew. When clogged, rainwater and vehicle washing accumulate inside the trunk, causing rus… Repairs typically run $50-$200. Severity: medium.
NHTSA investigation EA25-004 covers 2.2 million Honda vehicles including 2020-2023 Ridgeline for idle stop and go (ISG) system failure to restart engine after automatic shutdown at stop lights. Vehicle may fail to automatically restart when stop ends, requiring driver to manually… Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: medium.
AWD Ridgelines experience noise and juddering from the rear differential, particularly when turning. The differential fluid breaks down prematurely due to contamination from clutch wear debris, condensation, or water intrusion. Water can enter through the breather tube vent in th… Repairs typically run $120-$1,500. Severity: medium.
Water dripping from the overhead console or pooling on the headliner is a recurring Ridgeline complaint separate from the in-bed trunk leak. Two mechanisms show up on the owners club: the moonroof cassette's front drain tray plugs with pine needles and debris so the tray overflow… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: medium.
The Ridgeline's front lower ball joint is pressed into the lower control arm and is not serviceable separately, so normal wear condemns the whole arm. Owners club threads on 1G trucks describe a clunk or knock from the front end over expansion joints and driveway lips, often misd… Repairs typically run $350-$900. Severity: medium.
The ZF 9HP-based 9-speed automatic fitted to 2020+ Ridgelines uses dog clutches rather than friction packs for some ratio changes. The dog clutch must synchronize gear speeds before it engages, and the PCM cuts engine torque during the event; when the calibration timing drifts th… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: medium.
Second-generation Ridgelines with the 6-speed automatic (2017-2019, and the same 6AT family used in the Pilot and Odyssey) develop a shudder or judder that feels like driving over rumble strips during light-throttle cruise, typically 20-60 MPH when the torque converter clutch is… Repairs typically run $150-$2,500. Severity: medium.
The Ridgeline's signature dual-action tailgate uses two separate latch mechanisms plus an electric actuator, and the swing-open function fails far more often than the fold-down one. Two distinct failure modes show up across generations: the electric latch actuator motor dies (the… Repairs typically run $0-$700. Severity: medium.
Ridgeline owners repeatedly report a crack that starts at the bottom edge of the windshield - usually in or near the wiper-park area where the heated de-icer element is bonded - and runs horizontally across the glass with no impact chip anywhere to be found. The pattern points to… Repairs typically run $350-$1,200. Severity: low.
First-generation Ridgelines whine loudly from the power steering pump on cold mornings, quieting as the engine warms. The cause is not usually the pump: the O-ring on the low-pressure supply hose at the pump contracts and hardens with age, letting the pump draw air past it and ae… Repairs typically run $10-$600. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
