2023 Honda Ridgeline Exterior lighting Problems

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 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

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

The auto high beam system on my 2023 Honda Ridgeline frequently malfunctions. It prematurely dims the high beams when approaching reflective road signs or street lighting, even with no oncoming traffic present. More concerning, the system immediately reactivates high beams afterward — sometimes directly into the eyes of oncoming drivers, creating a blinding hazard. This behavior has occurred multiple times during rural and suburban nighttime driving. Honda offers no way to adjust the system’s sensitivity, even the one in the dask computer dont help and dealerships confirm that no fix or update is currently available. The system appears to be functioning “as designed,” but the result is erratic and unpredictable headlight behavior that undermines safety. I am submitting this report to document repeated false activations and to support investigation or revision of this feature.

NHTSA ID

11674855

Incident

Jul 20, 2025

I have taken my car to the dealership of three separate occasions with respect to the Automatic High Beam Option which at best works inconsistently on the back rural roads where I live. They adjusted this option on two occasions, and the service advisor took my vehicle home - driving it at night. In his words, he indicated, "Given the technology within this vehicle, we did the best we could." I know for a fact the automatic high beam option technology exists as I have another vehicle with the same option that works flawlessly and as intended; a 2024 Subaru Forester. In multiple correspondences with Honda's Customer Service Division, they stated, "At this time, the trained technicians at Middletown Honda have confirmed that your vehicle is operating as designed. We truly regret that the outcome does not meet your expectations, and we want to assure you that your dissatisfaction has been noted on our end." Clearly, and I understand, that for this issue to be resolved, a recall of this vehicle specific to this issue would have to take place. I have read on numerosu blogs and Honda Forums that this is and has been an issue with this current model dating back to the 2020 model, as owners of the models predating this year did not find this option as an issue. So, clearly something in the engineering of this option post 2020 changed. As I had indicated to both Honda's Customer Service and the dealership personnel I have spoken to, I will no longer utilize this option as it is dangerous and will, on the rural roads I drive on, cause a vehicular accident.

NHTSA ID

11662313

Incident

May 21, 2025

I have a 2023 Honda Ridgeline RTE excellent condition! Driver side headlight has moisture in it. There is a bulletin from Honda TSB23–024 titled moisture in headlight with a date of 3/3/2023. It involves the ridgeline 2017–2023. The summary says “moisture in the headlights. The headlight seal may become damaged from a miss adjusted Hood. Damage to the headlight seal may lead to moisture condensation building up in the headlight. Replace the headlight(s) with moisture condensation buildup and readjust the hood stoppers.” I called Honda Eastgate at 513-528-8000. They stated it was not a recall and that it would be an out-of-pocket cost. They want to charge a diagnostic fee of $250.00 and then charge to replace the headlight. I asked them if having moisture in the headlight would be a safety problem and they said yes if the light went out. Why in the world is this not a recall. I feel Honda is responsible for this and there should be no charge to the customer. I want to know who else I need to report this to, to have this become a recall, please help me with this problem. I can be reached at [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Thank you for your help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11659078

Incident

May 5, 2025

Automatic headlights malfunction causing the high beams to activate when cars are ahead or deactivate when lights reflect off of street signs. This causes road rage by other Drivers who think the Owner is deliberately blinding them with the high beams. Also with the constant changing between low and high it causes hazards when driving due to inconsistent lighting on the roadway ahead. This condition has been present since purchase in Dec 2022.

NHTSA ID

11657739

Incident

Jan 31, 2025

I own a 2023 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E The Auto High-Beam Headlights do not work. It barely worked the first week, but since then it has not worked. I've had it into the dealer, they say nothing is wrong. Reports online show this is a common issue with Honda Ridgelines since 2020 and has not been addressed.

NHTSA ID

11647432

Incident

Dec 12, 2023

My name is [XXX] , and my wife and I own a 2023 Honda Ridgeline that we purchased in October 2023. The automatic headlight dimming function has not worked properly since purchasing. The automatic function is very erratic. The lights will not automatically brighten when on a really dark road, and at times have switched to high beam within 100 feet of meeting another vehicle and remain bright. The function also switches from bright to dim very frequently when driving down the road and no other vehicles around. The lights also switch erratically when going past a road sign, reflector pole, lights at a house you may be passing, etc. My big concern is the lights switching to high beam while approaching another vehicle. I can't count the times this has happened. I have taken our Ridgeline back to Gary Force Honda in Bowling Green, Kentucky where we purchased it. The service advisor that assisted us stated that Honda knows of the problem, however, there is no fix. I inquired about a safety recall for this problem and the gentleman acted as though it was no big deal. It probable isn't a big deal until a deadly accident occurs because of a malfunctioning system. I even mentioned that I expect more especially when you spend $48,000 for a vehicle. Again, the service advisor acted as though his hands are tied. Needless to say, we left the dealership with the same problem that took us in. Attached is a picture taken at approximately 1830 hrs on [XXX] on our isolated road with no street lights, street signs or anything to cause a problem. As you will see, the lights will not switch to bright on this dark road. Please help!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11640129

Incident

Oct 25, 2023

The automatic headlight dimming is extremely unreliable and often dims just when approaching illuminated speed limit signs, or puts high beams ON when approaching another vehicle at night. Bad sensor I think.

NHTSA ID

11636182

Incident

Jan 15, 2025

Automatic high beams do not come on enough, turn off with slightest reflected light.

NHTSA ID

11628175

Incident

Dec 1, 2024

The auto dimming feature on headlights fails to function. When the high beams are in use, they will not dim when approaching an oncoming vehicle. Conversely, when they are on low beam, they do not switch to high beam setting when it is totally dark outside and no cars are approaching. This fault was not disclosed during initial test drive and the dealerships only explanation is that they are sorry, but it can’t be fixed.

NHTSA ID

11618358

Incident

Jan 23, 2024

Vehicle is equipped with auto dimming headlights. The system is way too sensitive and dims headlights on reflected road signs and distant street lights. Honda says it is working properly. It is basically worthless and very distracting because when driving through a neighborhood with no other cars around it dims and brightens constantly. Honda says there is no way to adjust sensitivity! Previously I believe you could. 2020 Ridgelines worked perfectly?

NHTSA ID

11617851

Incident

Mar 24, 2023

Automatic headlight dimming is too sensitive and does not reliably dim headlights when there is oncoming vehicles with headlights on. Many times, the high beams turn off entering a corner because they apparently sense the road sigh reflexion. This sudden change in the light produced entering the corner causes a distraction as well as a loss visibility of the approaching corner. Addionally, I have had vehicles flash their bright lights when approaching me to advise me to dim my lights.

NHTSA ID

11605382

Incident

Jul 15, 2024

Automatic high beams do not dim consistently when approaching oncoming traffic. Honda has tried twice to fix the problem but it persists. They said they have no fix and I just have to turn off that feature. I have video that is available on YouTube. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11602456

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

Issues with front beams high and low auto dimming

NHTSA ID

11591167

Incident

Sep 20, 2023

The Auto Dimming headlights are very sporadic. They go to high sometime while approaching other auto’s and won’t dim sometimes. This has been a issue on this model.

NHTSA ID

11590804

Incident

Apr 30, 2024

Auto high beams do not work properly. When activated the high beams engage and disengage erratically. When cars are passing by as well as when you come up to a vehicle from behind, the high beams may or may not disengage. On approaching vehicles, faulty auto high beams could possibly blind, them causing an accident, or they respond by turning on their high beams blinding me. This is a known problem within the Honda Ridgeline community. This situation has happened multiple times prior to my filing this report.

NHTSA ID

11588688

Incident

May 7, 2024

The auto high beams do not work with any consistency. They don't come when they should or will turn off because of a reflection from a road sign. Sometimes, they will activate right before a car passes you which causes that driver to flash me and now we both can't see! I can't believe Honda would allow this poor excuse of a feature to pass inspection!

NHTSA ID

11578802

Incident

Mar 16, 2024

The "auto dimmers" do not work. I have had it to the deal several times and they admit that Honda has a problem with them. They tell me they are working as designed and it is not the best design. The service team is now going to switch out vehicles with me to see if they are working 'as designed". The service team has told me to just turn them off and do it manually. To me that is NOT the solution. But they were totally honest with me, telling me they do not work but not until after I purchased the Ridgeline. If I knew this I would have went to another manufacturer. Very disappointed in Honda. And equally disappointed in the service saying just turn them off.

NHTSA ID

11575723

Incident

Jan 2, 2024

The automatic High Beams have been a issue with the Ridgeling since 2021. I have a 2023 Ridgeline and live in a area where properly working high beams are needed to work properly. Honda's dealerships have no answers to this problem, and some of the service writers aren't even aware of it. This is a defect in this vehicle that needs to be addressed. Please contact Honda and make the repair this defect

NHTSA ID

11572292

Incident

Feb 16, 2024

Auto high beam feature turns on and off even when there are no oncoming vehicles. The feature is unreliable and dangerous. Vehicle purchased on 22 Dec 2023. Previous vehicle was a 2019 Ridgeline where this feature worked perfectly.

NHTSA ID

11565560

Incident

Dec 22, 2023

The Auto High Beam functionality is erratic and dangerous. The high beams go off unexpectedly when needed. The high beams come on unexpectedly when there are close oncoming vehicles blinding these drivers and causing a road rage potential. This is a common complaint on the Honda Ridgeline forum. I made both our dealer and Honda USA aware of this problem weeks after I purchased this truck and repeatedly every time I have taken it to dealer for routine maintenance.

NHTSA ID

11557121

Incident

Nov 27, 2023