Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2017 Honda RidgelineRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 346 owner complaints for the 2017 Honda Ridgeline. Most complaints involve electrical system (93) and engine (87). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
346
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: frame and members

Remedy pending

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

StructureReported Jun 5, 2026NHTSA 26V365000

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 22, 2026NHTSA 26V332000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 19, 2023NHTSA 23V858000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

346 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2016 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system93
  2. Engine87
  3. Fuel/propulsion system43
  4. Power train42
  5. Back over prevention34
  6. Service brakes17
  7. Visibility/wiper14
  8. Structure13
  9. Forward collision avoidance12

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Ridgeline model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201345
2017346
2018162
2019237
2020171
2021103
2022119
2023133
202475
2025107
202612
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

93 reports
“My 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-T is having an issue where the right fog lamp acts as if its the left turn signal when activated. Example: I activate the turn signal to perform a left turn. The turn signal does not hyperflash as if it needs a new bulb. The rear left turn signal performs as expected, however the front left turn signal does not activate. The right front fog lamp flashes as if its a turn signal. This presents a risk in traffic as oncoming could assume that I'm turning right as I make a left hand turn.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11770876

Engine

87 reports3 fires
“I own a 2017 Honda Ridgeline with the 3.5L V6. The vehicle developed a noticeable engine knocking noise along with a check-engine light. I took it to a Honda dealership for diagnosis. The dealer confirmed abnormally low oil pressure, reporting approximately 6–7 PSI at idle on Bank 2, and recommended complete engine replacement at an estimated cost of approximately $9,000. To my knowledge, the dealer has not identified the exact internal component causing the knocking noise or low oil pressure. The vehicle and engine are available for inspection. This vehicle has a significant prior engine-failure history. At approximately 102,851 miles, the previous engine suffered a spun No. 2 connecting-rod bearing, crankshaft/connecting-rod damage, and metal contamination in the oil system. That engine was replaced with a used engine, which is the engine currently installed. Before the current diagnosis, diagnostic code P2651 was present. The related oil-pressure switch and rocker-arm oil-control solenoid were replaced and the codes cleared, but the abnormal engine knocking remained. I am concerned this condition could result in engine seizure, stalling, or sudden loss of…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026EngineODI 11773670

Fuel/propulsion system

43 reports
“Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am writing to formally report a serious safety concern involving my vehicle, which experienced a sudden engine shutdown while I was driving on the busy [XXX] toward the [XXX]. The engine unexpectedly stopped operating due to oil-related and engine issues, creating an extremely dangerous situation for me and potentially for other motorists traveling on the roadway. Having a vehicle suddenly lose engine power while traveling at highway speeds presents a significant safety hazard. The unexpected loss of power can leave a driver with limited ability to maneuver safely, increase the risk of a collision, and expose the driver and passengers to danger from surrounding traffic. In my situation, the engine failure occurred without warning while I was on a busy highway, placing my safety and the safety of others at risk. I am concerned that the circumstances surrounding this failure may indicate a potential safety-related defect involving the vehicle's engine or oil system. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this incident and determine whether similar complaints have been reported involving this vehicle, its…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11772562
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Ridgeline FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192622$2,900410
Ridgeline AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050424
  • Ridgeline FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Ridgeline AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Honda Ridgeline PU/CC AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Honda Ridgeline PU/CC FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 11519Vehicle 11518
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2017 Ridgeline questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Honda Ridgeline have?

9 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2017 Honda Ridgeline problems?

Owners filed 346 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (93), engine (87), fuel/propulsion system (43). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Honda Ridgeline get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Honda Ridgeline at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Honda Ridgeline?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Honda Ridgeline 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026