VehicleVerdict

2017 Honda Ridgeline problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline carries two red flags at once: 429 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 6.3× the Ridgeline norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Engine failure). It is one of the Ridgeline years to avoid.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (99), engine (88), and driver assistance (54), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

429

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

5

Investigations · 2 open

3

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Ridgeline years?

Ridgeline NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted429 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 294 complaints2007: 195 complaints2008: 155 complaints2009: 39 complaints2010: 50 complaints2011: 44 complaints2012: 30 complaints2013: 55 complaints2014: 35 complaints2015: 2 complaints2017: 429 complaints2018: 194 complaints2019: 291 complaints2020: 220 complaints2021: 134 complaints2022: 149 complaints2023: 164 complaints2024: 68 complaints2025: 91 complaints2026: 9 complaints
Ridgeline NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ridgeline years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Honda Ridgeline problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System9923%
Engine8821%
Driver Assistance5413%
Fuel System4510%
Transmission399%
Other368%
Visibility & Wipers184%
Brakes164%
Body & Structure143%
Lighting82%
Speed Control41%
Steering41%
Suspension31%
Seats10%

Does the 2017 Honda Ridgeline have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V365000SuspensionJune 4, 2026 · 880,514 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.

26V332000AirbagsMay 21, 2026 · 98,892 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

23V858000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

23V751000EngineNovember 13, 2023 · 248,999 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

Consequence

A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.

22V867000Driver AssistanceNovember 23, 2022 · 117,445 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rearview camera wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2023. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is 6RW.

21V932000Latches & LocksNovember 29, 2021 · 724,826 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.

20E068000OtherSeptember 17, 2020 · 151,343 units

Defect

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 buckle. If this occurs, the hinges between the center and rear panel may deform, possibly allowing the rear panel to separate from the vehicle.

Consequence

A separated panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash or injury.

Remedy

Honda will notify all registered owners of 2017-2020 Honda Ridgelines, and dealers will install tethers onto any Honda Genuine Accessory Tonneau Cover to prevent panel separation and apply warning labels, free of charge. In addition, an updated accessory user's information manual will be provided. The recall began October 26, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is F8M.

19V053000Fuel SystemJanuary 24, 2019 · 106,683 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A crack in the fuel pump feed port can allow pressurized fuel to leak out, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, if necessary, and install a fuel pump cover, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall number for this recall is Q3V.

16V888000Electrical SystemDecember 9, 2016 · 9,179 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2017 Ridgeline AWD vehicles manufactured April 1, 2016, to August 11, 2016. Water may enter the rear wiring harness through the connector located under the truck bed drain hole, possibly causing the connection terminals to corrode.

Consequence

Corrosion of the wiring harness can cause increased electrical resistance, unexpectedly activating the vehicle stability assist (VSA) system, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear wiring harness and related components, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KD3.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE25008

Engine failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline.  The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).  It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with RQ24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751.  Based on analysis of data from RQ24013, NHTSA has closed that investigation. The significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of RQ24013 presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation.  ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues.  To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

EA25003

Rear-View Camera Failure

On June 26, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ24011) to assess the long-term suitability of the remedy for recall 22V-867, which was filed on November 23, 2022 by American Honda Motor Co. (Honda). Recall 22V-867 addressed concerns of a loss of the Rear-View Camera (RVC) function in model year (MY) 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. Recall 22V-867 states that the RVC wire harness was manufactured with a protective corrugated tubing which was insufficient to protect against bending wear and zip ties which were insufficiently tightened and would not keep the protective tubing in place. The consequence is that the RVC wire harness may fatigue and break after repeated opening and closing of the tailgate. This ultimately results in the failure of the RVC image to display due to a lack of connectivity. Honda’s remedy identified in the recall filing was a replacement harness with longer protective corrugated tubing and sufficiently tightened zip ties. This remedy part was also installed as a production part in certain MY 2019 Ridgeline vehicles. On May 3, 2024, Honda submitted recall 24V-321 to ODI, addressing concerns of a loss of the RVC function in MY 2020-2024 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. Recall 24V-321 states that the RVC wire harness was manufactured with a material which was susceptible to breakage upon repeated opening and closing of the tailgate, which ultimately leads to a complete loss of RVC function. Honda’s remedy identified in the recall filing was a replacement harness manufactured by a new supplier with improved material properties to withstand wear from bending. Since the remedy parts for recall 22V-867 and the production parts recalled under 24V-321 use the same supplier and materials for critical components in the RVC wire harness, ODI opened RQ24011. To date, ODI has received 1 allegation of a 22V-867 remedy RVC wire harness failure. Honda indicated that it is aware of a total of 14 reports regarding remedy RVC wire harness failures associated with Recall 22V-867. Additional remedy parts may not have yet seen sufficient wear to induce the failure. ODI also believes further testing is necessary to assess the potential failures in these parts. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the rear view camera harness failures in 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. To review the ODI report cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The wiring to the backup camera is failing because it is crimped between the tailgate and the body. Every time you open and close the tailgate the wire flexes wearing at the sheathing and flexing the wires within. I've seen multiple reports and videos of this harness and the wires within failing…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 2, 2022

“Lost brakes as I was trying to decelerate to make a left turn on FM 1472, still managed to come to a stop before hitting the traffic ahead of me that was also waiting to make a left turn. Smoke started to come out from the wheel wells. Put vehicle on parking, shut off engine, opened hood and found…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 20, 2023 · fire

“The collision mitigation Braking System has activated my brakes resulting in a lock up 3 times and I've only owned the truck for 2 months. One of the times I was rear ended do to the trucking stopping suddenly. I now have to drive with the system turned off because of how dangerous it is to have on.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · February 15, 2024 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 5, 2025 · fire

“I purchased the Ridgeline in 2017 and am the sole owner. I have never towed anything with the truck. The mileage is high currently at 129,000. in the beginning of July the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The way it failed caused a dramatic shifting and of gears and the inability for…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 1, 2023 · crash

2017 Honda Ridgeline — common questions

Is the 2017 Honda Ridgeline reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 429 complaints put the 2017 model at #1 of 23 Ridgeline years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Ridgeline years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 Ridgeline problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (99 complaints), engine (88 complaints), driver assistance (54 complaints).

Does the 2017 Honda Ridgeline have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Honda Ridgeline. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 Honda Ridgeline under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — 2 investigations remain open (Engine failure). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Honda Ridgeline years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ridgeline years to avoid are 2017, 2006, 2019, 2020, 2007, 2018, 2023, 2008, 2022, 2021, 2025, 2024. The cleanest record among Ridgeline years belongs to 2005.

How safe is the 2017 Honda Ridgeline?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.