2018 Honda Ridgeline Powertrain (other) Problems

My 2018 Honda Ridgeline experienced an internal transmission failure June 2026. Local Honda dealership installed a Honda remanufactured transmission under my extended warranty, I picked up the vehicle on July 7, 2026. About 400 miles later, about July 25, the replacement transmission exhibited delayed engagement when shifting into Drive, shuddering and severe jolts during shifting. The dashboard displayed “Transmission System Problem,” “Blind Spot Info System Problem” and “Emission System Problem” warnings. Safety concern: The delayed engagement and unexpectedly harsh shifting may interfere with my ability to accelerate or control the vehicle, particularly when entering traffic or driving at highway speeds. I am concerned that these symptoms could recur without warning and put me at risk. On July 27, I drove directly to local Honda dealership while the warnings were active. The dealership observed the warnings and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes. The codes were subsequently cleared. Local Honda dealership consulted American Honda's technical personnel, changed the transmission fluid and road-tested the vehicle for approximately 200 miles without reproducing the malfunction. The dealership has therefore confirmed the warning condition and retrieved fault codes, but it has not identified the root cause of the post-replacement malfunction or demonstrated to me that the problem has been corrected. Local Honda dealership inspected and serviced the vehicle and communicated with American Honda's personnel. I have not been informed that an American Honda representative personally inspected the vehicle. No police or insurance inspection is known to me. The vehicle is currently in my possession and available for inspection. The replacement transmission remains installed. American Honda has advised me that no further repair will be authorized unless the fault codes reappear. My concern is recurrence of the delayed engagement and severe shifting while driving.

NHTSA ID

11765358

Incident

Jul 27, 2026

I have had the vehcile in traffic when it can cause banging sounds, have transmission slippage, and not allow the transmission to shift into higher gears, other occurences include transmission shudder. I was told the reset would be to change the transmission fluid with a 3 flush process at the dealership with a cost in excess of $750. Unfortunately that did not work. I have multiple error code lights on the dashboard that light up to include emission control issue, On the site transmission trouble hub. com they list the following: Consequences of Ignoring Transmission Problems Ignoring transmission issues can lead to severe consequences that affect not just your vehicle’s performance but also your safety. Here’s what can happen if you let these problems slide: Increased Repair Costs: What starts as a minor issue can escalate into a major repair if not addressed promptly. Complete Transmission Failure: Continuing to drive with transmission problems can lead to total failure, leaving you stranded and facing hefty towing fees. Safety Risks: Slipping gears or delayed engagement can lead to accidents, especially in critical driving situations.

NHTSA ID

11759800

Incident

Mar 17, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, on the freeway while depressing the accelerator pedal the gear shifts shifted independently. No warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed however the diagnoses was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified on the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 58,538.

NHTSA ID

11737382

Incident

May 9, 2026

Mileage

58,538 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11678753

Incident

Aug 5, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11665536

Incident

Mar 17, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11661988

Incident

Sep 12, 2024

The power train vibrates at certain speeds (Between 23mph to 37mph) as if it doesn't know which gear it should be in. It seems like it's in a higher gear when it's at a low speed. Additionally, sometimes when at highway speed I'll get a "transmission problem" warning. The drive train would still drive normally and it'll shift through gears with no problem. But the drive train indicator on the dashboard will be flashing and not showing which gear I'm at, (weather I'm in drive or reverse or neutral).

NHTSA ID

11610181

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

JUST OUT OF THE BLUE , MY 2018 RIDGELINE RTL-E , THE ENGINE IS REVVING BETWEEN 4TH AND 5TH GEAR. I HAVE DRIVEN THIS FOR A YEAR WITH NO ISSUES. NOW, 19,000 MILES IN AND IT LIKE REVS TO 3000 RPM AND THEN GRABS 5TH GEAR. IT ACTUALLY PULLS YOU FORWARD WHEN IT DOES. A LITTLE SCARY. I WILL CONTACT GARY SMITH HONDA IN FWB FLORIDA TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND YES OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. A LOT OF OTHERS. SHOULDN'T THIS BE NOTED IN A HONDA LOG SOMEWHERE? I HOPE THEY CAN FIX THIS.

NHTSA ID

11407790

Incident

Apr 12, 2021

Mileage

19,652 mi

I HAD A TRANS LITE ON THE DASH AND OVERHEATING ISSUES IN THE (6 SPEED) TRANSMISSION AT ABOUT 61000 MILES. THE ISSUE STARTED WITH A JUDDERING VIBRATION THAT WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER AT 39000 MILES. THEN I NOTICED INCREASED VIBRATION FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER(JUDDERING) UP UNTIL THE TRANS INDICATED A CODE FOR THE CLUTCHES NOT LOCKING UP, WHICH CAUSES OVERHEATING. I NURSED THIS UNTIL I TOOK IT TO MANCHESTER HONDA FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID IF THIS IS A JUDDERING PROBLEM, IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRENTY UNTIL 80K MILES. THEY CHANGED THE FLUID AND DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THIS UPDATE CHANGED THE SHIFT POINTS WHERE THE LACK OF LOCKUP BECAME WORSE. I ALSO NOTICED THE GAS MILEAGE WENT DOWN ABOUT 25%.IT WAS SO BAD THAT THE TRANS LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN THE NEXT DAY AFTER THE REPAIR. THEY CLAIMED THAT WITH THE FLUID CHANGE AND SOFTWARE UPDATE, THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK. DURING THIS DEBACLE, I CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES AND GOT NO HELP. THEY INSISTED THAT THIS TRUCK DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE TSB ISSUED FOR THE 17'S AND EARLIER. THIS OVERHEATING ISSUE HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED ON THE OWNERS FORUM FOR ALL THE EARLIER MODELS AS WELL AS THE 2018'S AND 2019'S. NOW WITH THE TRANS NEARLY NON-FUNCTIONAL, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO LIBERTY HONDA WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I KNEW THAT THE CONVERTER FAILED, BUT THEY REFUSED TO COVER ANYTHING UNDER WARRANTY. CAN YOU HELP WITH THIS SITUATION PLEASE?

NHTSA ID

11322043

Incident

Feb 13, 2020

Mileage

61,000 mi