2012 Honda Ridgeline Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Ridgeline, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1450.0%
- Body & structure414.3%
- Steering27.1%
- Driver assistance13.6%
- Electrical13.6%
- Engine13.6%
- Fuel system13.6%
- Interior & seats13.6%
- Other / unspecified13.6%
- Seat belts13.6%
- Brakes13.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
2012 HONDA RIDGELINE SPORT. CONSUMER WRITES REQUESTING A STATUS UPDATE ON DRIVERS FRONT AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED A REASNABLE AMOUNT OF TIME HAD EXCEEDED FOR THE RECALL TO BE COMPLETED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE. *JS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Ridgeline. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V430000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact was informed by the dealer that no Southern States had the tools to complete the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The contact stated that the recall was completed and that it is no longer an outstanding issue.
Roof Garnish Molding it’s pop ups two times and i change everything new but my concern is when i drive in the highway or interstate that part can blow off to the air and can cause an accident. Last time I went to the dealership was 07/01/2022. That’s my concern. Thank you.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. Left Rear Cam Bolt Seized, YES 2. This will not allow for any movement to have tires probably aligned. 3. Yes, I have documentation available upon request 4. No 5. It was caught during an alignment, I first noticed it during the first rear end recall but area was outside of "recall area" and was not addressed by Honda.
I HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOSS IN POWER STEERING, SOMETIMES, WHEN DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES OF WATER. I SEE THIS AS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AS IF YOU'RE EXPECTING TO BE ABLE TO TURN A CERTAIN WAY, AND THEN YOU CAN'T, YOU'RE GOING TO RUN INTO SOMETHING, AND THIS HAS ALMOST HAPPENED TO ME ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING, AND DOES NOT HAPPEN WITH EVERY PUDDLE. INDEED, IT HAPPENS FAIRLY INFREQUENTLY, WHICH TO ME, IS MORE DANGEROUS, AS YOU TEND TO FORGET ABOUT THE ISSUE. IF IT HAPPENED EVERY TIME, IT WOULD BECOME A HABIT. I SPOKE WITH TECHNICIANS AT HONDA, WHO WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. IT SEEMS THAT DUE TO A LACK OF A SPLASH GUARD, THE WATER SPLASHES UP ONTO THE BELT(S) AND THEY SLIP, AND THE POWER STEERING IS UNPOWERED FOR A SHORT TIME. THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS. THE DATE BELOW IS APPROXIMATE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS AND VSA LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTANT AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. PUMPING THE BRAKE ALLOWS SHIFT BUT LIGHTS STAY ON, THEN SOMETIMES JUST FLASH OFF AND STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS RESUME OPERATION. CAN BE DANGEROUS ON A SUDDEN STOP OR HIGH SPEED TURN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
After returning from a short trip to the local convenience store smoke was observed coming from under the hood and also into the cabin as the truck was entering the driveway. Driver immediately opened the hood and witnessed that the engine was smoking and on fire. Driver immediately gained access to a hose and extinguished the fire with water. Per the attached photo and the attached service record the fire was initiated and involved the alternator and the attached wire harness. (Note that same week I observed a 2012 Honda Pilot in the shop with the same exact fire (cause and engine location). The VSA warning appeared on the dash and then the smoke was observed. I paid to have vehicle towed to closest Honda dealer, paid for repairs because Honda refused to take responsibility.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
After returning from a short trip to the local convenience store smoke was observed coming from under the hood and also into the cabin as the truck was entering the driveway. Driver immediately opened the hood and witnessed that the engine was smoking and on fire. Driver immediately gained access to a hose and extinguished the fire with water. Per the attached photo and the attached service record the fire was initiated and involved the alternator and the attached wire harness. (Note that same week I observed a 2012 Honda Pilot in the shop with the same exact fire (cause and engine location). The VSA warning appeared on the dash and then the smoke was observed. I paid to have vehicle towed to closest Honda dealer, paid for repairs because Honda refused to take responsibility.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT ACCURATELY INDICATE THE FUEL CAPACITY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. ACCORDING TO THE PEARSON HONDA DEALER, LOCATED ON HULL STREET ROAD, MIDLOTHIAN, VIRGINIA, THE GAUGE IS OPERATING "NORMAL". WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL, THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR IS SHOWING, 3/4 READING. AS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN LONGER, IT'S DIFFICULT TO KNOW THE FUEL CAPACITY DUE TO THE FAULTY READING OF THE GAUGE. I'M CONVINCED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, NOTWITHSTANDING THE ASSURANCE FROM THE DEALER. MY RESEARCH INTO THIS GAS GAUGE ISSUE WITH THE HONDA RIDGELINE, INDICATES THAT THE 2010 RIDGELINE MODEL, ALSO HAD REPORT RELATING TO THIS GAUGE ISSUE. I DO NEED MORE RELIABLE ASSURANCE ABOUT THIS GAS GAUGE ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
Because of well known water intrusion into the cabin from the firewall, over time the seat risers rust away, and then the compromised metal breaks, at which point the front of the seat is no longer bolted into the floor board. The seat swings backward uncommanded, and may is likely to startle driver, and cause crash. While the seat is swung backward, the driver has NO CONTROL OVER HIS POSITION IN THE VEHICLE. THE SEATBELT ALSO BECOMES COMPROMISED AS THE SEATBELT BELT BUCKLE IS CONNECTED TO THE SEAT ITSELF WHICH ITSELF BECOMES LOOSE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. I have a video of the broken riser due to rusting over time due to the well known water intrusion issues. I can email you a video so you can see the danger of this issue.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. Left Rear Cam Bolt Seized, YES 2. This will not allow for any movement to have tires probably aligned. 3. Yes, I have documentation available upon request 4. No 5. It was caught during an alignment, I first noticed it during the first rear end recall but area was outside of "recall area" and was not addressed by Honda.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
Because of well known water intrusion into the cabin from the firewall, over time the seat risers rust away, and then the compromised metal breaks, at which point the front of the seat is no longer bolted into the floor board. The seat swings backward uncommanded, and may is likely to startle driver, and cause crash. While the seat is swung backward, the driver has NO CONTROL OVER HIS POSITION IN THE VEHICLE. THE SEATBELT ALSO BECOMES COMPROMISED AS THE SEATBELT BELT BUCKLE IS CONNECTED TO THE SEAT ITSELF WHICH ITSELF BECOMES LOOSE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. I have a video of the broken riser due to rusting over time due to the well known water intrusion issues. I can email you a video so you can see the danger of this issue.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS AND VSA LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTANT AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. PUMPING THE BRAKE ALLOWS SHIFT BUT LIGHTS STAY ON, THEN SOMETIMES JUST FLASH OFF AND STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS RESUME OPERATION. CAN BE DANGEROUS ON A SUDDEN STOP OR HIGH SPEED TURN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .