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Honda · NHTSA safety record

2025 Honda Ridgeline

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 90 safety complaints about the 2025 Honda Ridgeline with the US government. Of those, 2 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the air bags and back-over prevention.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 25 complaints, 28% of the total.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers May 2024 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

90 complaints on file

90

Complaints

2

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

1

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25 · 28%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 25 · 28%
ENGINE 20 · 22%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16 · 18%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 14 · 16%
SERVICE BRAKES 8 · 9%
LANE DEPARTURE 4 · 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 · 4%
POWER TRAIN 2 · 2%
STEERING 2 · 2%
STRUCTURE 2 · 2%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 2 · 2%
0 12 23

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 90.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 54.

60 45 30 15
24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2024 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2025 Honda RIDGELINE, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test PU/CC AWD PU/CC FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 16.9% 16.4%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

2 on file

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

26V332000 · May 21, 2026

The defect
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.
The risk
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 98,892 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

24V321000 · May 9, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 187,290 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages

EA25004

Still open engineering analysis · opened March 26, 2025

the engine and its cooling

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

1 injured · crash · towed

My Honda ridgeline had 7,590 miles when it started failing all the dash board lights turned on the engine decelerated I then tried to accelerate it rapidly accelerated my steering wheel vibrated I could not turn or slow down witch caused for me to crash

NHTSA complaint 11721115. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire

New 2025 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition with under 4k miles on it. Driving one day (10/30/25), smoke started to bellow out from the sides. Nothing on the dashboard indicated a problem. Everyone jumped out and was safe from injury. The truck went up in flames and literally blew up. We have a video of the incident. The truck was a complete loss, and it was difficult to deal with Honda, so we decided settle with the insurance company. Honda after a while stopped taking my calls and would put me on hold indefinitely if I call in. They were given permission to inspect the vehicle from the insurance agency but to my knowledge have not.

NHTSA complaint 11705807. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash

While turning left on a snowcovered road, my passenger airbags deployed when I slid into the curb. The only damage was to my rear passenger wheel. The force to the vehicle should not have been hard enough for the airbags to deploy. No warning lights prior to the accident.

NHTSA complaint 11635603. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My vehicle has approximately 17,200 miles on it. On XXX I approached a stop light and stopped for the red light. When the light turned green my vehicle did not move. I checked to see if it was in drive and it was in neutral. I attempted several times to get it into drive mode but it would not move. I then realized the vehicle had turned off. After several attempts I got the vehicle restarted. I drove to the dealership, Pohanka Honda in [XXX]. After inspecting my vehicle the service technician told me the starter needed replacing but they did not have one in stock and had no idea when one would become available. She told me the vehicle was not safe to drive as it may cut off again. So, I

NHTSA complaint 11767246, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
This 2025 Honda Ridgeline has an auto high beam function. When the headlights are on, the auto high beam will cycle on and off for absolutely no reason. Often only 3-5 seconds apart. There will be no oncoming traffic and no road signs illuminated by the headlights that would possibly confuse the system that a vehicle is approaching. ALSO, the forward collision warning system is way too sensitive. It will often either flash a brake warning on the dash, or actually activate the braking system when it is not needed. This occurs often when on a two lane road, slight curve and traffic approaches in the opposite lane.

NHTSA complaint 11766644. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
On several occasions, my 2025 Honda Ridgeline has falsely activated the collision mitigation system. Once on a two lane road curving to the right, an oncoming vehicle activated the system resulting in a startling shaking of the steering wheel and dash warning light. I would say about 80 percent of activation has been false alarms in one way or another. This is a safety issue when this collision mitigation system activates unexpectedly, startling the driver. I worry this system may apply the brakes when unnecessary, but this has not happened to me. I have heard it happened to other Ridgeline owners.

NHTSA complaint 11766405. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On several occasions after operating the vehicle for an extended time (picture 1 hour of highway driving) the auto start stop will fail to engage the engine the next time the vehicle comes to a stop. Vehicle stays stuck in traffic until the ignition fires after several attempts. This has happened more than once over several different days.

NHTSA complaint 11765801. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system has failed to restart the engine. Sitting in an intersection to make a left turn, engine auto stopped and would not restart, leaving me stranded, in traffic. I was eventually able to get it restarted by turning off air conditioning and all electronics (radio/lights). I immediately called the dealership and was able to get it in the shop that day. There were no codes discovered. Service replaced the car battery (at no charge). There were no warnings or messages prior to this incident. I am still experiencing struggle to restart sounds, like a weak battery and sometimes other unusual noises that I can't explain. I'm now trying to remember to turn of AIS on

NHTSA complaint 11765880, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
When I stop and try to go car turns off and dosnt start

NHTSA complaint 11765976. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Honda Ridgeline

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 60 1 —
2023 128 5 —
2022 117 3 —
2021 101 7 —
2020 169 8 —
2019 237 11 —
2018 161 7 —
2017 343 8 —
2014 34 6 —
2013 45 7 —
2012 24 11 —
2011 39 10 1
2010 42 9 —

Other 2025 Honda models

Odyssey 390 CR-V 253 Pilot 202 Prologue 150 Accord 85 Civic 74 HR-V 45 Passport 40

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Honda on this site — 192 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst