HONDA RIDGELINE · model year

2018 HONDA RIDGELINE

189 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2018HONDARIDGELINE carries 189 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 RIDGELINE is electrical system with 48 filings, followed by engine (18) and fuel/propulsion system (17). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2018 RIDGELINE, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

189
Complaints
4
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
2018 HONDA RIDGELINE — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

189 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM48
ENGINE18
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER16
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA14
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE12
STRUCTURE:BODY8
VISIBILITY/WIPER7
POWER TRAIN6
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING6
BACK OVER PREVENTION: CAMERA SYSTEM5
BACK OVER PREVENTION5
SERVICE BRAKES4
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS4
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION4

Recalls (6)

21V93200029/11/2021

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.

19V05300024/01/2019

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ridgeline trucks. Exposure to acids, such as from car wash soaps, can result in the fuel pump feed port cracking.

22V86700023/11/2022

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ridgeline vehicles. Opening and closing the tailgate may break the rearview camera wiring harness, causing the rearview camera to fail.

23V85800018/12/2023

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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, F

20E06800017/09/2020

EQUIPMENT

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling all Honda Genuine Accessory Tonneau Covers, part number 08Z07-T6Z-100F, sold for installation on 2017-2020 Ridgeline trucks. If the tonneau cover is not properly secured in the open or closed position, wind resistance may cause the cover to flip and buc

18V22100005/04/2018

SEATS

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivet

Recent Complaints

20260128ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I had the backup camera harness recall performed on my 2018 Honda Ridgeline on 09/06/2023 by Honda of Escondido , CA. (See attached invoice of recall work performed.) On 01/27/2026, the backup camera failed to appear on the dash screen when the vehicle was in reverse. I restarted the vehicle and the camera view was still not visible on the screen. I drove home and parked the vehicle in my garage. I turned the ignition off and then on again and put the car in reverse with the brake applied. This time the camera view was displayed on the dash screen. Appears to be an intermittent problem. (See attached two pictures of rear camera view not projected to the dash screen and one picture of my vehicle"s mileage, 50,518 miles.)

20251203ENGINE

While driving the vehicle to the dealership to have them inspect the vehicle for a knocking noise coming from the engine at startup, the engine stalled. The engine locked up and had to be towed approximately 10 miles to the dealership. Upon inspection by the dealership after pulling the oil pan and inspecting for evidence of rod bearing failure, it was confirmed by the shop manager that there was indeed evidence of this in the oil pan.

20251201ENGINE

Service engine light came on and mechanic stated the failed rod bearings have made the vehicle undriveable.

20251120AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH on I-40 Westbound to I-25 and making a turn in a construction zone, the passenger’s side air bag deployed without warning or impact to the vehicle. There were no reported injuries. The air bag control message was displayed after the failure. Two days later, the system indicators produced a failure with the road departure mitigation, collision mitigation, trailer stability control field assist, vehicle stability control, power steering, air bag system, and adaptive cruise control. The brake system warning light was illuminated after the parking brake was released. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 56,850.

Mileage: 56,850

20251120ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH on I-40 Westbound to I-25 and making a turn in a construction zone, the passenger’s side air bag deployed without warning or impact to the vehicle. There were no reported injuries. The air bag control message was displayed after the failure. Two days later, the system indicators produced a failure with the road departure mitigation, collision mitigation, trailer stability control field assist, vehicle stability control, power steering, air bag system, and adaptive cruise control. The brake system warning light was illuminated after the parking brake was released. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 56,850.

Mileage: 56,850

20251120SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH on I-40 Westbound to I-25 and making a turn in a construction zone, the passenger’s side air bag deployed without warning or impact to the vehicle. There were no reported injuries. The air bag control message was displayed after the failure. Two days later, the system indicators produced a failure with the road departure mitigation, collision mitigation, trailer stability control field assist, vehicle stability control, power steering, air bag system, and adaptive cruise control. The brake system warning light was illuminated after the parking brake was released. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 56,850.

Mileage: 56,850

20251109ENGINE

My check engine light came on and within minutes there was a loud noise, smoke and my vehicle lost power. I was on Hwy 20 returning to Boise, ID from Bend, OR. Luckily this occurred just as I had cell service since I was without cell service just before this occurred. This happened in the evening on Nov 2, 2025. I had just had it serviced for regularly needed maintenance as recommended by Honda. 10/20/2025 I spent $2274.28 on service at the Honda dealership. Service included transmission service, oil change, strut service, replace front struts, wheel alignment, and resurfaced front rotors. I've had all my regular maintenance handled timely and at the dealership. I was 75 miles from the dealership and had to spend $521 to have it towed to the dealership. My truck lost power so fast after the check engine light leaving me on the side of the hwy 15 miles from the nearest town as the sun set. I waited in the dark for a tow truck. So grateful that I had regained cell service

20251012FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Multiple warning lights appeared and remained illuminated on my dash, all related to safety features (LKAS, ACC, CMBS AND ROAD DEPARTURE). The problem was confirmed by Capitol Honda Service Department. The vehicle was scanned and stored DTC was found at INTEGRATED DRIVER SUPPORT SYSTEM. U3000-49 MULTIPURPOSE CAMERA UNIT INTERNAL ELECTRONIC FAILURE. The DTC was set as hard code, unable to clear. RECOMMEND REPLACING MULTIPURPOSE CAMERA AND PERFORMING CALIBRATION. The estimate I was initially given for the cost of the repair parts and labor was close to $2,000. The repair was necessary because the inoperable safety features directly affects my safety on the road as well as the safety of others. Honda Sensing is a suite of driver-assist safety technologies that use cameras, radar, and sensors to monitor the vehicle's surroundings, alert the driver to potential hazards, and provide automatic steering and braking assistance to help prevent collisions. Key features include Collision Mitigati

20251012LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

Multiple warning lights appeared and remained illuminated on my dash, all related to safety features (LKAS, ACC, CMBS AND ROAD DEPARTURE). The problem was confirmed by Capitol Honda Service Department. The vehicle was scanned and stored DTC was found at INTEGRATED DRIVER SUPPORT SYSTEM. U3000-49 MULTIPURPOSE CAMERA UNIT INTERNAL ELECTRONIC FAILURE. The DTC was set as hard code, unable to clear. RECOMMEND REPLACING MULTIPURPOSE CAMERA AND PERFORMING CALIBRATION. The estimate I was initially given for the cost of the repair parts and labor was close to $2,000. The repair was necessary because the inoperable safety features directly affects my safety on the road as well as the safety of others. Honda Sensing is a suite of driver-assist safety technologies that use cameras, radar, and sensors to monitor the vehicle's surroundings, alert the driver to potential hazards, and provide automatic steering and braking assistance to help prevent collisions. Key features include Collision Mitigati

20251012FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Multiple warning lights appeared and remained illuminated on my dash, all related to safety features (LKAS, ACC, CMBS AND ROAD DEPARTURE). The problem was confirmed by Capitol Honda Service Department. The vehicle was scanned and stored DTC was found at INTEGRATED DRIVER SUPPORT SYSTEM. U3000-49 MULTIPURPOSE CAMERA UNIT INTERNAL ELECTRONIC FAILURE. The DTC was set as hard code, unable to clear. RECOMMEND REPLACING MULTIPURPOSE CAMERA AND PERFORMING CALIBRATION. The estimate I was initially given for the cost of the repair parts and labor was close to $2,000. The repair was necessary because the inoperable safety features directly affects my safety on the road as well as the safety of others. Honda Sensing is a suite of driver-assist safety technologies that use cameras, radar, and sensors to monitor the vehicle's surroundings, alert the driver to potential hazards, and provide automatic steering and braking assistance to help prevent collisions. Key features include Collision Mitigati

20250919ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Infotainment system have a black screen

20250911ENGINE

Engine started making a knocking noise on start up. Got progressively worse for the next 3 days before I stopped operation. Dealer states "engine has a rod knock likely due to a spun bearing". No warning lights or messages displayed.

20250814ENGINE

Had a clacking noise that got louder depending on RPM's, scheduled a visit to the dealer same day to also take care of a B1 maintenance notification that appeared 2 days prior and on the way to the dealer from work the same day the clacking noise started, the engine light started to flash and then within a few seconds there was a complete loss of power to the accelerator and the RPM's dropped to zero; Had to pull off the interstate in a construction zone where there was no shoulder and just on a dirt slope. When towed to the dealer, dealer stated the engine had suffered Rod bearing failure and there were metal shavings in the oil pan. The car is available upon request, it is at the dealership at the moment and I am scheduling it to get an engine replacement. I contacted Honda because this is a Honda Ridgeline 2018 and they denied my request for goodwill consideration, I stated that this is surely apart of the ongoing investigation "RQ24013" as it sounds extremely similar and there hav

20250806POWER TRAIN

The truck has a hard/rough shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear in an automatic transmission. No dash light indicating anything wrong with the engine or the transmission.

20250610ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

KEYLESS ACCESS CONTROL UNIT PART NUMBER: 38320-T6Z-A31 The vehicle headlights came on and dash lights flashed on and off. The alarm would also go off and on. This causes the battery to drain as well. Also I know of several other Honda Ridgeline owners who have had the same part failure

20250607ENGINE

We were traveling up the freeway just like any other day. Out of nowhere the low oil light flashed and next thing we know a loud clanking started to happen. We were able to make it to the exit as it was right there thankfully because once we stopped I shut the engine off got out and checked the oil and it was full. I tried to start it again, it started but turned it off fast because the noise it was making was horrible. I’ve contacted Honda regarding this issue because the Ridgeline from 2017 and 2019 are covered under a recall but the can’t explain why the 2018 is exempt from the recall seeing it’s the same engine.

20250607POWER TRAIN

We were traveling up the freeway just like any other day. Out of nowhere the low oil light flashed and next thing we know a loud clanking started to happen. We were able to make it to the exit as it was right there thankfully because once we stopped I shut the engine off got out and checked the oil and it was full. I tried to start it again, it started but turned it off fast because the noise it was making was horrible. I’ve contacted Honda regarding this issue because the Ridgeline from 2017 and 2019 are covered under a recall but the can’t explain why the 2018 is exempt from the recall seeing it’s the same engine.

20250519POWER TRAIN

The transmission lost power on the highway. Whit smoke poured out from under/behind the vehicle making it difficult for drivers on the highway to see the road. The vehicle lost power and I costed three lanes to the right to get the vehicle off the highway. Transmission fluid was running out under the vehicle. A tow truck was called to get the vehicle removed from highway.

20250324SUSPENSION

The vehicle’s front suspension system failed, specifically the driver’s side and passenger’s side front strut assemblies and the driver’s side inner and outer tie rods. These components have been identified by the dealership as needing immediate replacement. The defective components should be available for inspection upon request, pending completion of repairs. The vehicle exhibited wobbling and a dragging sensation from the front left tire, which raised concerns regarding control and steering safety. A loose or faulty suspension or tie rod can significantly impair vehicle handling, stability, and steering precision, particularly during acceleration, turning, or driving on inclines. If these components had failed while driving, it could have resulted in loss of control or an accident, posing a serious safety risk to both the driver and other road users. The issue was confirmed and diagnosed by a Honda dealership service department on March 18, 2025, and a detailed repair estima

20250321ENGINE

As I was driving on the freeway, the vehicle lost power completely without any prior warning. All the lights on the dashboard were flashing. The vehicle could not be started again. I was stranded in the middle of the freeway at the very high risk of being rear ended given the relatively lighter traffic at 11pm in Los Angeles. It put other drivers on the freeway at very high risk of running into me as well. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where an inspection was conducted. It concluded a blown-out engine (literally), possibly caused by the piston. A hole was found on the engine cast. The incident was escalated to Honda's corporate customer care department.

Mileage: 125,474

Compare 2018HONDARIDGELINE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE have?
The 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE has 189 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE?
The 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE?
Yes, the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE?
The most-complained component for the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 48 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.