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2012 Honda Ridgeline Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest May 3, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

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.

14
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10980571 · filed May 15, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID 10934861 · filed Dec 12, 2016
All 14 reports naming airbags

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

4
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11487288 · filed Sep 30, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID 11472293 · filed Jul 4, 2022

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.

2
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11549158 · filed Oct 10, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID 10852152 · filed Mar 29, 2016

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 11206829 · filed May 10, 2019

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 11487806 · filed Oct 4, 2022

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 11487806 · filed Oct 4, 2022

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10682356 · filed Feb 9, 2015

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 11658675 · filed May 3, 2025

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 11549158 · filed Oct 10, 2023

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 11658675 · filed May 3, 2025

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 11206829 · filed May 10, 2019

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

Data on this page last refreshed .