2023 Honda Ridgeline

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On February 13, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24004 to assess alleged failures of the rear-view camera (RVC) in 2020-2023 Model Year (MY) Honda Ridgeline vehicles. At this time, ODI has received a total of 50 complaints with allegations of the RVC image failing to display when the vehicle was in reverse. The RVC wire harness is routed near the hinge in the tailgate, in a location where frequent opening and closing of the tailgate causes bending stress on the harness. Honda determined the wire harness was manufactured with a material which is permeable to water and salt, which when it freezes and thaws, combined with tailgate usage, ultimately leads to breakage of the wiring in the tailgate harness. This results in a failure to display the RVC image. On May 9, 2024, Honda filed a Part 573 Safety Recall Report recalling all 2020-2024 MY Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The dealer will replace the RVC tailgate harness with a wire harness that is manufactured by a new supplier and has improved material properties to withstand wear from bending. In view of Honda filing recall 24V-321 addressing the subject of this investigation, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

My 2023 Honda Ridgeline (about 28,400 miles) repeatedly loses power while driving. The instrument cluster lights up with every warning light at once, the truck stops accelerating, and I cannot maintain speed. It has happened on the freeway above about 60 mph, which is extremely dangerous with surrounding traffic moving at highway speed. Disconnecting the battery for about 15 minutes temporarily clears the warning lights and lets the truck move again, but the problem keeps returning. I have taken the vehicle to a Honda dealer three times for this same problem: July 2026, late August 2026, and October 2026. At the August visit, the dealer scanned the vehicle and found multiple lost-communication codes and DTC U0401 (invalid data received from PCM). The powertrain control module (PCM) was replaced under warranty and relearn procedures were performed. The problem returned after the replacement, and the truck is again at the dealer for diagnosis. I have video recordings of the failures and repair records for all three visits. I am concerned this is a defect in the powertrain control or vehicle communication system that can cause a sudden loss of power at highway speed, and that other owners may be affected. Please investigate.

NHTSA ID

11774716

Incident

Oct 30, 2026

I have taken my 2023 Honda Ridgeline into dealer service 4 times for an engine knocking noise. Dealer techs have said noise is abnormal but Honda tech says it is ok and safe to drive. The engine noise is getting louder. I hope it’s not the rod bearings.

NHTSA ID

11774045

Incident

Oct 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel was loose, and the vehicle became difficult to control. The contact stated that there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched and was made aware of a recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

NHTSA ID

11773195

Incident

Jul 15, 2026

Mileage

18,000 mi

I own a 2023 Ridgeline with an abnormal clunking noise from front right side and occasional steering wheel vibration at highway speeds. Clunking noise most noticeable when driving on bumpy dirt roads, typically at low speeds 10-25 MPH. I am estimating the problem became noticeable at about 35,000 miles. Over time the clunking noise became noticeable on paved roads up to about 40 MPH when going over small to medium pot holes (depth). On dirt roads at low speeds 10-25MPH, it became more difficult to isolate to right side as noise seemed now to be noticeable in center of vehicle as well as right side. Also was able to produce noise with vehicle in park when simply turning wheel from right to left and sound came from right side only. At 46148 miles I took the vehicle to a local repair shop and preliminary assessment was an inner tie rod failure. Owner of repair shop called and told me the clunking noise was not related to the right-side inner tie rod but was being caused by an estimated .25-.50 inches of play of the steering rack and a replacement steering rack assembly was needed. The repair was completed on 10/2/2026. The replaced steering rack assembly S/N did not match either of the S/N's listed in service bulletin 24-018. I drove the vehicle to the same dirt road where previously the location of the noise was noticeable at both the center and right of vehicle. No noise was noticed at all. The vehicle now has 46770 miles and has been driven on pavement, dirt roads and tested at park by turning the steering wheel left to right. The noise is gone.

NHTSA ID

11772609

Incident

Oct 2, 2026

Auto shut off and restart will shut the engine off at a red light or intersection but then it tries to restart but the stalls the engine. I have to shift it quickly into park and restart the engine with several cars behind me. This is a safety hazard. This has happened multiple times. Honda says that this isn’t covered under the 10 year extended warranty unlimited miles for this problem with the 2023. Ridgeline.

NHTSA ID

11772082

Incident

Oct 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-54 MPH and making a gradual left turn on the highway, the vehicle unintendedly made a quick sharp left turn, grazed the concrete barrier and veered to the opposite side of the road before coming to a stop. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the front driver's side tire was completely flat and was pointing left at a 90 degrees angle, and the ball joint had disassembled. The contact could not determine whether the damage caused the crash or whether the crash caused the damage. The contact stated that the failure might be associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V184000 (Steering). A Police report was filed. The contact's wife notified the dealer of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the body shop and was scheduled for repair. The vehicle was inspected by the insurance company. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

NHTSA ID

11767743

Incident

Sep 12, 2026

Mileage

32,000 mi

9/17/2026. Complete electrical system shutdown while stopped in traffic, loss of power steering/brakes capability, all doors automatically locked with no emergency flasher capability. Vehicle became a hazard. Occurred twice. TSB-23-008 software update performed in 2024 but problem persists. Safety defect ENTRAPMENT with los of all vehicle power in active traffic. Please share complain with manufacturer.

NHTSA ID

11765308

Incident

Sep 17, 2026

This has happened for the last 2.5 years and has happened between 5 and 10 times. While stopped at a traffic light the Auto-Stop feature activates. When the light changes and I attempt to move, the vehicle enters "cuts off" and the dash board directs me to shift to Park or to step on the brake to restart the engine. It take multiple attempts but then it switches to Accessory Mode after which it generally starts. - Two pictures have been included. The one at night was in [XXX] and the other during the day, was taken on the corner of [XXX] and [XXX] in [XXX]. I also have a short video clip of the [XXX] incident which occurred about two days before the [XXX] incident. Once this begins I put on my hazards to direct other vehicles to drive around. I have reported it to the dealer. The dealer assured me it was the battery and they tested the battery but the battery was fine. The issue is similar to other 2023 and is covered by TSB 23-008/23-010 (Video Link: [XXX] ) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11755943

Incident

Jul 25, 2026

Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the auto idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions.

Dealer Message - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions. The customer should be able to restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button.

Service Bulletin - The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the correct position on the charger due to software specifications that can cause some phones to have issues charging.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2023-2025 Odysseys, Passports, and Ridgelines with a customer complaint of the brake pedal sticking or slow to return. This may result in delayed acceleration, dragging noise, or all 3 brake lights staying on without any pedal engagement. The vehicle may also experience issues with activating cruise control. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2023-2025 Odysseys, Passports, and Ridgelines with a customer complaint of the brake pedal sticking or slow to return. This may result in delayed acceleration, dragging noise, or all 3 brake lights staying on without any pedal engagement. The vehicle may also experience issues with activating cruise control. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2023-2025 Odysseys, Passports, and Ridgelines with a customer complaint of the brake pedal sticking or slow to return. This may result in delayed acceleration, dragging noise, or brake lights staying on without any pedal engagement. The vehicle may also experience issues with activating cruise control. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.