Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Honda Ridgeline problems

Owners filed 346 complaints about the 2017 Honda Ridgeline with NHTSA between Aug 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (93).

Complaints
346
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Engine and engine cooling11
  11. Exterior lighting9
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)6
  13. Lane departure5
  14. Vehicle speed control4

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20165
201721
201824
201927
202028
202126
202258
202333
202447
202536
202641

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

93 reports1 related recall
“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

Power train

42 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The “4WD Failure” message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched and became aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,055.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2026Power trainODI 11758248

Back over prevention

34 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V867000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2023Back over preventionODI 11519888

Service brakes

17 reports1 crash1 fire
“The first time I was driving about 30 miles an hour. There was a car in front of me about 10 car lengths who put on his blinker to make a left turn. I started to tap my brakes to slow down. The car was so far in front of me that I didn’t even need to slow down, I was being careful. Suddenly the truck shuddered and stopped and BRAKE, BRAKE flashed on the screen in front of the steering wheel. Everything in the truck flew forward. The people in the vehicle behind me started blasting the horn because they almost rear ended me. My truck just slammed on the brakes for no reason. Another time I was driving down the interstate highway. There were no cars in front, behind or on either side of me. Suddenly, the truck shuddered and BRAKE, BRAKE flashed across the screen. I was driving about 70 miles an hour. The truck did not stop. It just shuddered and slowed down. Those were the two scariest times. The truck since then will flash BRAKE on occasion if I step on the brakes to start slowing down. I called customer service for American Honda and they told me to take it to a Honda dealer when it was happening.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11763810
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026

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