2023 Honda Ridgeline Owner Complaints

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

ENGINE SHUTS OFF TOTALLY IN AUTO IDLE AND MUST BE RESTARTED.

NHTSA ID

11755479

Incident

Aug 3, 2026

I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2023 Honda Ridgeline with approximately 23,995 miles. My primary concern is an intermittent transmission/powertrain malfunction. While driving on the highway, the vehicle unexpectedly entered limp/fail-safe mode and experienced a significant loss of power and acceleration. This created a potentially dangerous situation because I was unable to accelerate normally while traveling with highway traffic. I am concerned that this could happen again without warning while merging, changing lanes, crossing an intersection, or attempting to avoid another vehicle. The electronic transmission selector has also intermittently stuck or failed to operate smoothly. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether other 2023 Honda Ridgeline owners have reported similar transmission warnings, limp-mode events, loss of propulsion, reduced acceleration, transmission-selector malfunctions, or related powertrain problems. The vehicle also has premature deterioration of both headlamp lenses, including fading, hazing, and cloudiness. I am concerned this may reduce nighttime light output and roadway visibility. Additionally, the engine produces an abnormal rattling noise during cold starts. Rust/corrosion is developing beneath the door weather seals, and the exterior window/pillar trim is prematurely fading and deteriorating. My most serious concern is the unexpected transmission malfunction and loss of power at highway speed. At only approximately 23,995 miles, I believe this condition warrants investigation because an unexpected reduction in propulsion can increase the risk of a collision.

NHTSA ID

11755379

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

Vehicle has significant rusting on the suspension & can be inspected upon request. The rust will deteriorate the suspension’s capacity to support the vehicle, creating a dangerous hazard for others and myself on the road. The problem was first noted by a Honda service technician, where they provided detailed images of the undercarriage of the vehicle. Images of the rust were found on the rear suspension, parts of the front suspension & in other areas like the differential box & along the shaft of the vehicle. The vehicle did not have any warning signs on the dash - however the suspension is squeaky when the vehicle is in motion.

NHTSA ID

11752645

Incident

Jul 18, 2026

On about 5 occasions, and at a stop light, the auto stop did not re-engage when I attempted to move forward. The first time it happened I only had about 28k miles on it and I was making a left at a light in [XXX]. On another occasion, about 7 months ago, I was driving in [XXX] and the vehicle shut down in the same manner - it went into Accessory mode and I then turned the car off and back on before I was able to move again. The most recent occasion was about two weeks ago in [XXX]. I was about to make a left onto [XXX] from Coliseum and stalled. I had to wave people around me because I was unable to immediately restart the vehicle. In the two weeks preceeding this incident, the system seemed to act up quite a bit more and began thinking about replacing the vehicle. There were at least 3 other instances. I reported the first instance to the dealer but since the could not replicate the issue, it was ignored. I went to the dealer last week and they simply had no interest in dealing with my issue since my VIN was not in the ones designated with the problem. This is an issue! My first report was more than two years ago and I did not know there was any issue at the time - I am aware now but I am told that my vehicle is not impacted. It is INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11750970

Incident

Jul 3, 2026

My sunroof exploded. The glass blew up and out of the vehicle while on the highway.

NHTSA ID

11747152

Incident

Jun 28, 2026

Driving approximately 15mph on a gravel road in my subdivision I noticed smoke or steam coming from under the hood. The time was approximately 10: 30 am on June 4,2026 the 2023 Honda Ridgeline with 41,000 miles was immediately stopped and put in park. I exited the vehicle and started to open the hood and fire streamed out from the front of the vehicle. I backed up and went to the rear door and retrieved my dog from the back seat. The vehicle is a total loss as the fire spread incredibly fast. I’m lucky to be alive today. There were no warnings or messages.

NHTSA ID

11746777

Incident

Jun 4, 2026

During warmer months of the year the vehicle can have a long pause when shifted into drive. Most commonly occurs when you finish backing up and want to go forward. The vehicle will pause and not go anywhere for 2-3 seconds. It also happens by shifting out of park into drive. Again, the vehicle will pause for 2-3 seconds. Honda dealerships are aware of this issue on the Honda Ridgeline with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It could easily cause an accident.

NHTSA ID

11746323

Incident

Jun 23, 2026

At approximately 31,800 miles, my 2023 Honda Ridgeline failed Massachusetts state inspection due to excessive play in the steering rack. A Honda dealership technician confirmed the steering rack and both inner and outer tie rods required replacement. This vehicle is the same year and model covered under NHTSA Recall 24V184000 (steering gearbox inner ball joint housing detaching from steering rack). My VIN was not included in that recall batch; however the failure is identical in nature — premature steering component failure at extremely low mileage. Steering racks are designed to last 100,000 to 150,000+ miles under normal use. This failure occurred at roughly one-third of the minimum expected lifespan, with no prior warning signs, no crashes, no unusual road conditions, and regular maintenance. Vehicle was driven exclusively on paved roads. Component is available for inspection upon request. Failure confirmed by Honda dealership. No warning lamps preceded the failure. Safety risk: potential loss of steering control at highway speed.

NHTSA ID

11740685

Incident

May 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Honda Ridgeline. The contact The contact stated he experienced knocking in the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an air compressor failure; however, the issue persisted. The contact also stated another issue is the rearview camera displayed a distorted image. The contact also experienced loss of steering control with the vehicle pulling to the right. intermittently veering towards The contact associated the issues with NHTSA Campaign Numbers 24V321000 (Back Over Prevention) and 24V184000 (Steering) The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for these issues. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.

NHTSA ID

11740559

Incident

May 7, 2026

Mileage

32,000 mi

The auto-dimmer function does not work. On high-beam there is no automatic dimming; on low-beam the high beam automatically and randomly flashes on for a couple seconds, then off. In the latter instance, oncoming traffic gets hit with a sudden blinding flash - creating a hazard. My understanding is that this has been a problem for several years even before we bought the vehicle new and the company misled us into believing the function was available on the vehicle. The company also simply ignoring and not trying to fix it. Given the false advertisement of the functionality in the vehicle and hazard to oncoming traffic when it is on, one might reasonably expect a recall to be issued.

NHTSA ID

11739281

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

The connecting rod bearing in cylinder one broke causing catastrophic engine failure. It has been inspected by a Honda dealer. The check engine light started flashing after the rod broke making me lose power in the vehicle at an intersection.

NHTSA ID

11739084

Incident

May 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that on several occasions at various speeds, when the vehicle went over bumps in the road, it shook more than usual. Additionally, when the vehicle was slowed down and the brake pedal was depressed, it took more effort to depress the pedal. The vehicle was taken for inspection, where it was determined that there was a steering suspension failure and the inner and outer tie rods were damaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,604.

NHTSA ID

11737114

Incident

Sep 15, 2025

Mileage

33,604 mi

At roughly 20,000 miles, I began to notice a slight rattle/clucking sound from the front end of the vehicle on gravel surfaces. The issue gradually became more noticeable and upon owner inspection, inner tie rods had noticeable play. Independent shop (Frantz Automotive, Cary, NC) confirmed the play, and upon removing the tie rods and boots, discovered play within the steering rack itself (have video that could not be uploaded), and notified me that there was a recall for this issue on some 2023 Ridgelines (as noted on receipt). I then took the truck to the dealership where purchased (Autopark Honda, Cary, NC), which confirmed the issue (as noted on receipt) and offered to replace at a "goodwill" rate of $500, which they termed a "deductible." Given the safety concern and I needed the truck for transportation, I paid for the repair and will request a refund from Honda America.

NHTSA ID

11736739

Incident

Apr 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving or while stopped at a stop light, the Auto Idle Stop system activated, and the vehicle hesitated to respond. The message "Auto Idle Stop Temporarily Unavailable" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

NHTSA ID

11731593

Incident

Apr 1, 2026

Mileage

53,000 mi

the auto high beam system is overly sensitive. lights flicker when a street sign is detected. dealer checked this issue and said the door switch was bad and replaced it. problem still exists. this makes night driving distracting and dangerous. no warning lamps or messages are shown on instrument panel.

NHTSA ID

11730631

Incident

Apr 14, 2023

03/09/26 Driver side Headlight assembly filling with a lot of water when driving in wet conditions. Headlight has a significant amount of water and condensation inside. It is very noticeable. I can see a slight difference in positioning of the driver side headlamp vs the passenger side. Driver side looks slightly misaligned on the part closest to the midline of the truck. Available to inspect upon request. Called Dealer to bring it in to inspect immediately. They told me to come in without an appointment bc they said i didnt need one for this issue and I can come right in. I drove all the way there and was told they couldn't help me bc they were to busy now. Scheduled service with Dealer on 3/23/26. They were unable to take me earlier and told me that it's not an emergency and that I can drive the vehicle saftely until the 23rd, in wet or dry conditions. I Inspected light and took photos. Was told by local mechanics that a dealer would need to inspect it for defects / warranty repair. Dealer will be able to see the water and condensation throughoyt the entire headlamp as soon as they look at it. You can't miss it, it looks ridiculous. Ive noticed my day time running lights aren't working consistently since the water has been in the headlamp. Also, they will be able to reproduce the water flooding into the headlamp with no problem. If they run it through a carwash, water will hemorrhage into it. No symptoms or warning indicators / messages prior to part failure. I've attached photos and have more upon request. The photos show the water in the headlamp is now frozen over the inside of the headlight. This is affecting visibility and I am concerned about this damaging other components / electrical systems.

NHTSA ID

11725431

Incident

Mar 9, 2026

The infotainment system failed intermittently two times prior, causing failure of the backup camera and cross traffic warning sensor system. The entire system failed a month ago and Honda has no idea when they can get parts.

NHTSA ID

11724375

Incident

Feb 15, 2026

A car turning left on a one lane both way street. The the auto breaking system hit the breaks I was about 6’ away from car going 10 miles per hour. Car behind me almost hit the back of my truck. It took second before breaks let off. System was in normal mode.

NHTSA ID

11720926

Incident

Feb 27, 2026

While driving home on 2/21/26 at night in light sleet/snow conditions, I noticed a dramatic decrease in headlight effectiveness in my Honda Ridgeline. When I stopped to check the headlights, they were coated with ice that needed to be scraped off. This is my first vehicle that has LED headlights so this was unexpected. I never had this issue with my previous vehicles that used incandescent /halogen headlights. I suspect this snow/sleet buildup is due to the fact the LED headlights, by their nature, are much more thermally efficient and generate less than 10% of the heat of an incandescent light source. As a result, LED headlamps do not generate enough head to melt any snow/sleet accumulations on the headlight lens. While this might not be an issue in southern states, it is a significant safety and visibility issue in areas where winter snows are the norm. NHTSB should consider requiring a wiping mechanism (as is done on Volvo headlights) or implement a defrost mechanism into the headlamp assembly or lens of vehicles with LED headlamps.

NHTSA ID

11720528

Incident

Feb 21, 2026

There is constant water intrusion on the driverside headlight causing poor headlamp performance. I have reported the issue to a dealer for a warranty claim and was told that it is normal for water to be inside the headlight housing. If this is the case than I believe there is potential for a safety hazard. Issue was escalated to Honda Customer Service who initially offered to help get the repair done under warranty and then changed their tune and told me they wouldn't intervene and my only other option was to take it to another dealership to get a second opinion. I believe than based on Manufacturer Communications on this website (11000278 & 11000270) that this is a known issue and owners are being gaslighted into thinking its normal.

NHTSA ID

11719296

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

There is a presence of gasoline in the oil which is causing two(2) safety issues. 1. The infiltration of gasoline in the oil can cause the engine to malfunction to the point of seizure which could cause a sudden stop in traffic flow. 2. The noxious gasoline fumes are unbearable in the cabin of the truck causing headaches, nausea, and lightheadedness which could cause an accident while driving and could cause the driver to become disoriented and cause an accident. I took the vehicle to Napleton Honda in Loves Park, Illinois to address the problem, and they, in turn contacted American Honda for guidance. The dealership said the technical arm of American Honda said the fumes and the gasoline infiltration was, "NORMAL. I was contacted by American Honda and they suggested that I get a second opinion from another dealership, which IMHO is moot because they will contact American Honda for guidance and they will be told the exact same thing. The case number with American Honda is: XXX. The vehicle is currently under warranty for approximately one(1) more month. I had the oil analyzed by Blackstone Laboratories and they did, in fact detect gasoline in the oil. I have those results. I talked to the Honda Case Manager and she said that Honda will not/does not accept third party testing. American Honda will not even agree to test the oil themselves to determine if what I'm saying is true. I would sincerely appreciate any assistance since my truck is almost unbearable and certainly unsafe to drive. There are currently no warning or check engine lights on, but a simple oil analysis would, 100% confirm the presence of gasoline in the oil. I have noticed the gasoline odor for approximately 9 months and it has progressively gotten worse. I try to combat the noxious odors and impending motor damage by changing my oil very frequently which is approximately every 500-750 miles with full synthetic oil. Please contact me if you need anything further. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMAT

NHTSA ID

11719172

Incident

May 22, 2025

Approximately six(6) months ago, my wife and I noticed a very noxious gasoline smell in the cabin of our truck, and upon further investigation determined that the smell was a direct result of gasoline that had infiltrated the oil in the engine. The oil was changed and the used oil smelled very strongly of gasoline. I sent an oil sample to Blackstone Industries to get the oil analyzed, and they, in fact found gasoline in the oil. Honda said that the results were useless because they wouldn't accept third party results. I took my truck to the local Honda dealership (Napleton Honda in Loves Park, IL) to address the problem. They, in turn contracted the Technician Department of American Honda who said the strong gasoline smell was "NORMAL." I have contacted American Honda and they suggested getting a second opinion. The case number is, XXX. At this point a second opinion at another dealership would be useless because they're going to tell me the exact same thing. So, in conclusion, I would like the noxious, dangerous gasoline fume root cause to be identified and repaired. The fumes are making me, my wife, and any passengers nauseous. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11718408

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

Engine had complete loss of power and loud knocking noise.

NHTSA ID

11715788

Incident

Jan 27, 2026

Oftentimes, while driving on a 2-lane road, the Ridgeline will produce an alarm (beeping sound and flashing amber "BRAKE" illuminated on dash display) when driving through a right hand curve with opposite direction traffic in the opposing lane. In every instance, my vehicle and the opposing vehicle are centered in our respective lanes with no indication that either vehicle is on a course to depart their lanes. This is extremely disconcerting as it creates a false emergency alarm. It also makes me think (momentarily) I am not seeing some collision threat. This creates a hazardous situation and I fear that the Automatic Emergency Braking will activate and cause me to lose control of the situation. The opposing traffic scenario I'm describing is quite routine with no cause for alarm. In a worse-case scenario, the opposing vehicle's trajectory would place it on a course further away from me where it could go off the road on the right side of its lane - not to the left towards my vehicle. I have not yet taken it in to the dealership, but I do intend to do so during January 2026.

NHTSA ID

11708530

Incident

Dec 6, 2025