This page covers 7 recalls, 93 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline.
21 mpg combined
11.2 L/100km
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2021 Honda Ridgeline cluster most heavily around the engine and exterior lighting. On the engine side, owners describe serious internal failures, connecting rod and bearing damage leading to complete engine replacement, along with knocking, sputtering, and flashing check engine lights, sometimes without a stored diagnostic code. Exterior lighting complaints frequently involve the forward-facing camera system tied to the automatic headlights and collision mitigation features: owners report warning lights for forward collision avoidance and related systems illuminating sporadically, then staying on permanently, often with a diagnosis pointing to a failed front camera requiring replacement and recalibration at significant cost.
93
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline has 7 recalls, the most serious involving rear suspension components that can fail and cause loss of vehicle control, a brake master cylinder that can separate from the booster and result in brake failure, and a passenger seat occupant sensor that can cause the front airbag to deploy unexpectedly in a crash.
The seatbelt retractor on the second-row center seat can deactivate improperly, leaving a child safety seat unsecured during a crash. On the visibility side, the rearview camera wiring in the tailgate can fatigue and break, causing the backup image to stop displaying. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be properly bonded, allowing the mirror glass to detach and reduce the driver's view of traffic alongside and behind the vehicle. Note that the rear suspension recall only applies to vehicles registered or primarily operated in certain states, typically those in the Northeast and upper Midwest where road salt use is common.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear subframe can corrode at suspension attachment points, potentially causing rear suspension components to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe, install a reinforcement kit, and repair or replace components as needed at no cost.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and create an electrical short, potentially causing airbags to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera wire harness at the tailgate can crack from repeated flexing, stopping the rearview camera image from displaying on the screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rearview camera tailgate wire harness at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which could prevent the front passenger air bag from deactivating when it should.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensors at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fastener connecting the brake booster to the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled, allowing the master cylinder to separate from the booster.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The heating pads behind the side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, which can cause the mirror glass to detach.
What the fix does
Both left and right side-view mirrors will be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The automatic locking mechanism on the second-row center seat belt may fail to engage properly, preventing a child car seat from being secured.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
