Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab user complaints and problems
In general, Honda vehicles are deemed as the reliable ones yet, in the recent past, some popular ones among them such as the Honda Accord have developed a questionable reliability aspect. As compared to other vehicles from the brand, the Ridgeline has a slightly better reliability performance and it helps since the vehicle is placed within an important segment, pickup trucks. The Ridgeline has been offering a good value for money with its SUV feel and practicality, making it ideal for those upgrading from a smaller vehicle such as sedans or hatchbacks. We cannot say that the Ridgeline is a trouble-free vehicle yet, its reliability record is on the satisfactory side. The 2021 Honda Ridgeline problems include a maximum number of engine issues while the 2018 model has a maximum number of electrical problems. The 2021 model also has quite a number of engine complaints, however, the number isn’t too high.
Engine problems
- Engine going into limp mode: The 2021 Honda Ridgeline has several complaints against it regarding its engine going into limp mode issue. All the complaints state that a majority of the time while merging into traffic or exiting a freeway from a lower speed, the engine loses power and goes into limp mode with the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel.
- Engine exhaust fumes entering inside cabin: There were a handful of complaints regarding the exhaust fumes entering into the cabin issue. The complaints stated that while idling or driving sometimes, the cabin would fill up with the smell of burnt gasoline or exhaust fumes, causing nausea and dizziness to the passengers.
- Water/ice accumulating on the capless fuel-filler neck: The 2018 Honda had this issue and it was quite serious. All the reports mentioned that the capless fuel-filler accumulates water and in freezing temperatures, can freeze resulting in an inability to fill fuel or a possible threat of water getting mixed with fuel as well.
Safety problems
- Rear camera damage: The 2018 Honda Ridgeline had this issue of an extensive magnitude. All the complaints stated that owing to a design flaw, the wiring harness of the rear camera system gets damaged due to the regular operation of the tailgate. The problems were quite common, after slotting into reverse the camera would not come on but the camera guidelines would work.
- Hood opening randomly while driving: Several models of the 2018 Ridgeline had an issue with their hood. All the complaints mentioned that while driving at various speeds, the hood of the truck would open, potentially compromising the safety of the vehicle as well the occupants. In some instances, the hood did not open fully but was raised by some inches.
Electrical problems
- Wireless charging pad problem: The 2021 Ridgeline faced a couple of complaints regarding this issue. The reports mention that despite the brand new condition of the trucks, the wireless charging pad of the vehicles failed to work as desired.
2022 Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab recalls
The NHTSA reports regarding the Ridgeline show the reliability of the truck to be slightly better than some of the other popular vehicles from the brand. But, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline issues included the engine problems to a considerable extent along with having some safety issues such as a faulty forward collision mitigation system. Honda did issue several recalls for most of the above-mentioned problems but surprisingly, the rear camera wire harness issue did not and it seems that the brand tried to address it silently with the following model years.
|
Recall Date
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
|
Component Affected
|
Recall Issue
|
Explanation
|
|
April 5, 2018
|
18V221000
|
SEATS
|
Rivets that Secure Seats may Fail/FMVSS 207, 210
|
In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the floor, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
|
|
January 24, 2019
|
19V053000
|
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
|
Fuel Pump Feed Port May Crack And Leak
|
A crack in the fuel pump feed port can allow pressurized fuel to leak out, increasing the risk of a fire.
|
|
September 17, 2020
|
20E068000
|
EQUIPMENT
|
Tonneau Cover Panel May Detach from Vehicle
|
A separated panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash or injury.
|
|
November 29, 2021
|
21V932000
|
STRUCTURE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
|
Hood May Open While Driving
|
A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
|
|
September 27, 2018
|
18V664000
|
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
|
SRS May Become Disabled Due to Manufacturing Error
|
In the event of a crash, if the airbags or seatbelt pretensioners do not function as intended, there would be an increased risk of injury.
|
|
November 28, 2018
|
18V848000
|
STRUCTURE
|
Pillar Mounting Holes Incorrect Size/FMVSS 214 226
|
In the event of a crash, if the curtain air bag does not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
|
|
April 12, 2019
|
19V298000
|
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
|
Timing Belt Teeth May Separate
|
Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
|
|
March 25, 2021
|
21V215000
|
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
|
Fuel Pump May Fail
|
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
|
|
November 29, 2021
|
21V932000
|
STRUCTURE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
|
Hood May Open While Driving
|
A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
|
|
November 18, 2021
|
21V900000
|
SEAT BELTS
|
Seat Belt Retractor Malfunction/FMVSS 208
|
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
|
What model year of the Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab to avoid?
The Honda Ridgeline’s reliability performance is half as appealing as its design and overall value for its price yet, it’s still better than most of its siblings. Among the recent models, the Honda Ridgeline engine problems were the highest in 2021 while the 2018 and 2019 models faced the notorious rear camera wiring harness issue. The 2020 Ridgeline faced some issues with its transmission. Hence, it would be safe to avoid 2018, 2019, and 2020 models, and possibly the 2021 ones as well.
Should you buy a used Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab?
The Honda Ridgeline poses as an appealing package amidst the neck-to-neck competition and with its wide arrow of feature along with the comfortable, SUV-like feel inside, it sure gives its peers a stiff competition. However, in the recent past, we have seen the truck facing some trouble with various aspects in separate model years such as the 2018 and 2019 models facing the fear camera issue while the 2020 and 2021 models facing some powertrain problems. On the contrary, the Toyota Tacoma or the Nissan Frontier would make a great choice even from the used car market as well.
