NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The rear subframe can corrode at suspension attachment points, potentially causing rear suspension components to fail.
This page covers 6 recalls, 114 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2023 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
Exterior lighting is the standout complaint category for the 2023 Honda Ridgeline, accounting for roughly a third of all reports filed. Owners most commonly describe headlight assemblies collecting water and condensation, often enough to visibly dim output or fog the lens. A related pattern involves the automatic high-beam system flickering or toggling erratically, particularly when the camera picks up reflective road signs, which owners say makes nighttime driving distracting. The electrical system draws the next-largest share of complaints, with several owners reporting the auto idle-stop feature displaying an unavailability message and causing hesitation when the driver tries to accelerate away. Engine complaints, smaller in volume, include rough behavior tied to that same idle-stop system. A handful of owners also mention front-end rattles and loose tie-rod play developing around 20,000 miles, though that pattern appears in fewer reports than the lighting and electrical issues.
114
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
By System
The 2023 Honda Ridgeline has 6 recalls, the most serious being a steering gearbox defect where an inner joint can loosen and detach from the steering rack, causing complete loss of steering control.
The brake system carries a significant concern as well: a tie rod fastener connecting the brake booster to the brake master cylinder may have been assembled incorrectly, and the master cylinder can separate from the booster entirely, leaving the driver with severely reduced or no braking ability. On the suspension side, rear control arms and related components can corrode and fail in vehicles that were sold or registered in cold-weather and high-salt states, causing the driver to lose handling and directional control. There is also a passenger safety equipment concern: the front passenger seat sensor that determines whether the seat is occupied by an adult, child, or is empty can malfunction and cause the airbag to deploy unintentionally in a crash, raising the risk of injury to whoever is seated there. Rounding out the list, the rearview camera wire harness running through the tailgate can fatigue and break over time, leaving the backup camera display blank and reducing what the driver can see behind the vehicle while reversing.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear subframe can corrode at suspension attachment points, potentially causing rear suspension components to fail.
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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 →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe, install a reinforcement kit, and repair or replace components as needed at no cost.
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 inner ball joint housing in the steering gearbox assembly may loosen and detach from the steering rack, causing loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gearbox as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering gearbox may have been improperly manufactured, causing the inner joint to loosen and separate from the steering rack, which results in loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Honda will mail you instructions to bring your vehicle to a dealership for inspection and replacement of the steering gearbox assembly if needed.
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.
