Honda · Known Issues
2007 Honda Ridgeline Problems: 12 Known Issues
2007 model year · 580+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2007 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2007 model year · 580+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2007 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 580+ owner reports, the 2007 Honda Ridgeline has 12 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are VCM System - Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires ($81-$8,000 repair), Radiator Cross-Contamination (SMOD) - Catastrophic Transmission Failure ($300-$6,000 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.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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.
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.
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.
+ 13 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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According to Au7o's analysis of 580+ owner reports, the 2007 Honda Ridgeline has 12 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: VCM System - Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires, Radiator Cross-Contamination (SMOD) - Catastrophic Transmission Failure, Spark Plugs Backing Out - Coil Pack Melting and Engine Damage. Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2007 Honda Ridgeline has 12 known issues documented across 580+ owner reports. 6 issues are rated critical: VCM System - Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires and Radiator Cross-Contamination (SMOD) - Catastrophic Transmission Failure 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.