Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD

2021 Honda RidgelineRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 103 owner complaints for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline. Most complaints involve engine (30) and electrical system (15). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
103
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 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

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.

Back over preventionReported May 10, 2024NHTSA 24V321000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

103 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine30
  2. Electrical system15
  3. Forward collision avoidance15
  4. Exterior lighting14
  5. Power train11
  6. Fuel/propulsion system6
  7. Structure5
  8. Vehicle speed control4
  9. Lane departure4

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
0
Injuries reported
2
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

Engine

30 reports
“With no warning engine started making a loud ticking noise and within a couple of days it was a loud knocking noise. Flashing check engine light came on and engine lost power. Shut down and restarted engine, knocking noise still there but check engine light is not flashing. Knocking noise is loud and vehicle cannot be driven. Mileage is around 170000 but has had regular oil changes. Mechanic has confirmed the engine knock and said not to drive it. Can't afford to replace the engine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2026EngineODI 11774177

Electrical system

15 reports
“The auto idle function- the car engine doesn't restart. This has happened in a busy intersection and won't restart until you have made several attempts to restart. I have brought this to the attention of Honda certified techs.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11763064

Forward collision avoidance

15 reports1 crash
“The complete Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) has been disabled on my truck and all the warning lights are on. All the safety features ment to keep me safe on the road are no longer working.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2026Forward collision avoidanceODI 11758843
All 2021 Ridgeline problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S9)
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 AWD
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
182421$3,050441
  • Ridgeline AWD
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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 15910Vehicle 15909
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

2021 Ridgeline questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Ridgeline have?

7 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 2021 Honda Ridgeline problems?

Owners filed 103 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (30), electrical system (15), forward collision avoidance (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Honda Ridgeline get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Honda Ridgeline at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2021 Honda Ridgeline?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Honda Ridgeline 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026