Honda Ridgeline Complaints (2017)

347 consumer complaints on file.

#11708233January 1, 2026
ENGINE
Total engine failure on 2017 Honda Ridgeline. It is available for inspection upon request at Findlay Honda, Flagstaff AZ We were on a highway going 70 mph when the engine started making loud thrashing noises. Luckily, I was immediately able to pull over into shoulder the as the engine seized up. Then got towed and haven't driven it since. Took it to local Honda dealer - they inspected and confirmed that it was a total engine failure due to this connecting rod bearing issue and claimed a refurbished engine would be $10K and a brand new engine would be $20K Bought it in June 2017, very well maintained. We are only owner. Yes, our safety was put at risk based on this connecting rod bearing issue being a known issue based on NHTSA report - [XXX] This pdf and other info found online is exactly what happened to our Ridgeline. But mine wasn't recalled for this issue because apparently my VIN was not part of the recall...that said, this is exactly why other Ridgelines were indeed recalled. Honda Service Manager verified the diagnosis. There were no warning lamps or messages until the moment this incident happened on Friday Dec 5th near Seligman AZ. (Tried to upload something but the software wouldn't allow it) Thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703849December 8, 2025
ENGINE
I was driving on the highway when there was a sudden drop in power, accompanied by a flashing engine light. I was unable to proceed at normal highway speeds and was worried about a complete loss of power. I was able to coast/stay in a low gear to get off the highway and find a safe place to park the vehicle. Shortly after parking, the engine stopped and would not engage on attempts to restart. It was hauled to the local Honda Dealer who confirmed that the engine was completely seized and would need to be replaced. They have not disassembled it yet to confirm the precise failure point. Prior to the loss of power, there appeared to be some light, intermittent clicking sounds that I was trying to localize, but appeared to be coming from the front of the vehicle. This lasted for several miles. At the time of the decrease in power, this was accompanied by increased noise/knocking form the engine area. On stopping the vehicle was noted to be idling very rough. This vehicle experienced a failed torque converter around 2021 that Honda eventually had to extend their warranty to cover. In 2023, it had issues with misfiring fuel injectors which was also subject to an extended warranty by Honda to repair. Due to parts shortages, Honda was unable to fix the fuel injectors for over 8 months. This vehicle would be available for inspection on request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703345December 5, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
All the warning lights came on. I took the vehicle to the dealer for diagnosis. They told me that the problem was the fuel injectors. The vehicle only has 40,000 miles. They said there was a factory problem with the programming in the ECU and they are aware of the problem. They have issued an extended warranty for this. They now refuse to honor the warranty because my title is a salvage title. A salvage title has nothing to do with their faulty programming. They now want to charge me $1,300.00 to have them fix it. The vehicle is at the dealer now waiting for a remedy 12/5/2025. I think this could be dangerous if it is not repaired. The engine could stall or fail while on the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700775November 21, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I heard a loud knocking noise, accompanied by a squeling, that increased/decreased with engine RPM emitting from the engine compartment. I quit driving the vehicle once I returned home. I had the vehicle towed to a Honda dealership where I was told the connecting rod bearing had failed. My vehicle was not included in a safety recall (23V-751) issued by Honda but suffered the same symptoms mentioned in the recall. The vehicle is otherwise solid and well maintained with little issues at current mileage of 92,795.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698483November 10, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway unattended, for unknown reasons, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact had not experienced a failure with the vehicle prior to the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to an undisclosed recall related to engine and fuel pump. There were no reported injuries. The Fire Department was called and arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. The contact stated that a Police report was not filed. The vehicle was not yet towed from the scene. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697054November 2, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My vehicle just reached 101,000 miles and is having engine problems, vehicle will not accelerate past 40mph which is really unsafe, I saw a article that this was a common issue on the 2017 model.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696932November 1, 2025
ENGINE
On October 8th, 2025 I was driving my 2017 Honda Ridgeline home from work when I noticed the engine light started flashing. I stopped at a nearby Meineke less than a mile from where I was. It seemed like a misfire and the truck had a tune up and ignition coils replaced. They also noted other suggested work such as a catalytic converter and oxygen sensor upstream & downstream. The next day on 10/09/2025, I was driving when suddenly I hear a knocking sound, the engine light and all electrical warning lights were flashing and the engine shuts off. It was scary and I had to react quickly because I was travelling in the middle lane of a 3-lane highway; there were vehicles on both sides, in front and behind me. Everything electrical soon disappeared, the power steering was practically gone and it got harder to steer, the braking system was slow reacting. I placed the truck in neutral steering to the right at the first side street off the main highway because there was no shoulder. As the truck was slowing down, two men came to my aid and quickly helped push the truck as I kept trying to turn the steering wheel and make sure, I could apply the brakes were not working as well with engine off. I called my insurance to report a claim for roadside assistance. The tow truck driver arrived he tried to jump start the battery and it started smoking and sparking. We were both surprised. I had the truck towed on a flatbed tow truck to the same Honda dealership where the truck had been serviced since I bought it 3yrs ago. By Friday 10/10/2025, the dealership stated that the truck needed a new battery before it could even be assessed. By Monday, 10/13/2025, I heard back from the dealership that the truck needed to have the engine replaced; they drained the oil and found metal shavings in the engine. I researched information since the indecent and found out that there was this recall investigation. How does a truck meant to last 300K miles ends this way? A Honda?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696153October 28, 2025
ENGINE
Catastrophic Premature In-Service Water Pump Failure at 28,330 miles on 10/20/25 with loud metal-to-metal noise with complete loss of coolant. Engine was shutdown to prevent further engine damage. Failure occurred as vehicle was being parked after leaving city street. Failure on city street could have resulted in an accident due to engine failure and collision with other vehicles, coolant spill resulted in a large slippery spill area and possible loss of steering of following vehicles. Vehicle was towed to the vehicle’s dealer who replaced the water pump and related parts [Timing Belt Kit Package]. The failed parts are not available for inspection as the dealer routinely discards damaged parts replaced during the repair. There were no warning lamps, or messages prior to failure. Regular under hood checks by owner for: fluid levels, leaks, unusual noise, belt damage showed no issues including during an oil change with fluid level checks [the radiator level bottle showed the proper level of coolant] 5 days prior to the water pump failure. Three dealer performed Multi-Point Inspections on this vehicle on 3/20/19, 3/29/23 and 10/23/24 during ‘Campaign Recalls’ with no defects reported. The dealer Multi-Point Inspections included inspections for: Cooling System [leaks], Hoses [cracks, damage, leaks], Drive Belts [cracks, damage, leaks] with no defects reported.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695433October 24, 2025
ENGINE
On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, I was driving home from work about 5:00 PM. I started hearing a ticking noise coming from the front of the car. It would come and go, but then it got progressively worse, and finally there was a loud squelch and the engine shut off. I still had electrical control of the vehicle, steering, brakes, dash, etc. I just had no power. I had the vehicle towed to a mechanic, and they next day the mechanic confirmed the motor was seized. The car is well maintained, with service records. The mechanic and I found the existing recall on 2017-2019 Honda Ridgelines with the same issue, but I guess the recall does not apply to my vehicle. The mechanic advised me to call American Honda and see if my vehicle is covered. They said it was not. Started working with Grapevine Honda to get the vehicle over there so the dealership could start communicating with American Honda to try and get this covered under the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695230October 23, 2025
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle severely hesitated and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle was almost rear-ended due to the failure. The vehicle was restarted, and the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. The vehicle was driven without the failure recurring. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the failure occurred while exiting the granddaughter's school parking lot. In addition, the contact's granddaughter was an occupant in the vehicle at the time of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with moisture in the intake manifold. The contact was informed that an unknown foam substance needed to be installed between the engine and the intake manifold. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 24-085; however, the repair was not covered under the Technical Service Bulletin. The contact was provided with a customer discount to assist with the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692179October 8, 2025
ENGINE
Our 2017 Honda Ridgeline suddenly had clunking sounds and a rough sounding engine. Later that day, the engine entirely seized. We are being told. The engine is locked up, and needs to be entirely replaced. The person at the Honda dealership told us that they suspect this was something in the engine that was bad from the start, and just went. They thought it had something to do with a rod. They are quoting us almost $24,000 to replace the engine with a new one, or about $9000 to replace it with a used engine with comparable mileage. Our Ridgeline has always been fully maintained, all oil changes done on time or early, And only has about 71,000 miles on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689491September 24, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687885September 17, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that a transmission flush was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687602September 16, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the engine continuously revved very high, and while at a stop light, the vehicle almost stalled after activating the A/C. Additionally, the transmission failed to immediately shift into gear, and the vehicle jerked while shifting gear. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who performed a transmission software update, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included the Manufacturer’s Extended Warranty Coverage that addressed the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685792September 8, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The transmission problem light came on my 2017 Honda Ridgeline. It is less than 9 years old and it has 117K miles. The transmission shifted hard about a month ago, then came the engine light. Honda dealer did a diagnostic and recommended to replace transmission. It’s estimated to cost $10,700. All the routine maintenance has been done at the dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685096September 4, 2025
ENGINE
The contact's employer owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while the contact's employer was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact's employer drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact's employer then heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The employer inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The employer was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle would be towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 91,967.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684116August 30, 2025
ENGINE
My engine started making a knocking/sparking noise while I was driving on the interstate (with two children) in Utah, had to pull over to a gas station, barely made it there before the engine stalled. Had a mechanic come and affirm the engine was out, truck was towed to Ken Graf Honda in Riverdale where I was told it would be pointless to replace the engine since it would cost over $14k. Was compelled by circumstance (being stranded) to buy a new 2019 Honda Ridgeline for $8000 more in cumulative payments, even after trade in allowance. Salesmen were extremely condescending and suggested the engine failure was my fault because I had a small pallet of ceramic molds in the back of the truck when it failed. Dealership gave us $6k worth of trade in value for 2017 and immediately replaced the engine at no cost (they sent me the invoice of repairs by accident) and will no doubt put it out on the lot for sale. Contacted the Idaho Falls dealership where we had purchased the car 1.5 years earlier and were told we were a month past our warranty and they “could not” contribute to a resolution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683084August 26, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle started to lurch forward. The contact stopped and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the camshaft and camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,280.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682422August 22, 2025
ENGINE
Total engine failure on freeway. Huge amount of smoke came out of the engine and the vehicle died. Hole in engine block, piston parts and connecting rod found in oil pan. It is my understanding that some 2017 Honda Ridgeline vehicles were recalled for this same problem. All maintenance work was done per recommendation and at the dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680169August 12, 2025
ENGINE
Component/system: Suspected engine lower end/connecting rod bearings. Vehicle is currently being towed to Keeler Honda of Latham, NY for diagnosis and is available for inspection upon request. What happened: On Friday night, [XXX], I was traveling about 63mph in the 65mph zone on the [XXX] which is a moderate uphill. the engine all of a sudden began making a very violent knocking noise and the truck started to lose power very fast. I activated my hazards and coasted to the shoulder narowly sideswiping the cars near me. The malfunction created a huge collision risk. There is no crash or fire. Confirmation by shop/inspection: JMR Auto is a well-known and long-running independent shop located in Nassau, NY and is also the first place I towed the vehicle to. They stated based on listening to it it is indeed rod knock. Official Honda dealer confirmation is pending, the vehicle is currently being towed to Keeler Honda of Latham, NY where they will inspect and confirm internal connecting rod bearing failure. Warnings: No warning lights before the event. At failure, the engine light along with some driver assistance lights were displayed. Context: Symptoms match Honda Recall 23V-751 (prematrue connecting-rod bearing wear/seizure) reported on this model/year, but my VIN shows no open recalls. I understand NHTSA has Recall Query Rq24-013 into similar failures outside 23V-751's VIN range. I am reporting this for safety tracking and potential expanded recall consideration. Maintenance: Vehicle reasonably maintained per Hondas' Maintenance Minder; some services were at shops that do not report to CARFAX. Documentation being gathered. Dealer RO/case numbers to follow. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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