2025 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.

This 2025 Honda Ridgeline has an auto high beam function. When the headlights are on, the auto high beam will cycle on and off for absolutely no reason. Often only 3-5 seconds apart. There will be no oncoming traffic and no road signs illuminated by the headlights that would possibly confuse the system that a vehicle is approaching. ALSO, the forward collision warning system is way too sensitive. It will often either flash a brake warning on the dash, or actually activate the braking system when it is not needed. This occurs often when on a two lane road, slight curve and traffic approaches in the opposite lane.

NHTSA ID

11766644

Incident

Sep 7, 2026

On several occasions, my 2025 Honda Ridgeline has falsely activated the collision mitigation system. Once on a two lane road curving to the right, an oncoming vehicle activated the system resulting in a startling shaking of the steering wheel and dash warning light. I would say about 80 percent of activation has been false alarms in one way or another. This is a safety issue when this collision mitigation system activates unexpectedly, startling the driver. I worry this system may apply the brakes when unnecessary, but this has not happened to me. I have heard it happened to other Ridgeline owners.

NHTSA ID

11766405

Incident

Apr 23, 2026

When I stop and try to go car turns off and dosnt start

NHTSA ID

11765976

Incident

Sep 7, 2026

The Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system has failed to restart the engine. Sitting in an intersection to make a left turn, engine auto stopped and would not restart, leaving me stranded, in traffic. I was eventually able to get it restarted by turning off air conditioning and all electronics (radio/lights). I immediately called the dealership and was able to get it in the shop that day. There were no codes discovered. Service replaced the car battery (at no charge). There were no warnings or messages prior to this incident. I am still experiencing struggle to restart sounds, like a weak battery and sometimes other unusual noises that I can't explain. I'm now trying to remember to turn of AIS on every trip. I consider this a serious safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11765880

Incident

Aug 11, 2026

On several occasions after operating the vehicle for an extended time (picture 1 hour of highway driving) the auto start stop will fail to engage the engine the next time the vehicle comes to a stop. Vehicle stays stuck in traffic until the ignition fires after several attempts. This has happened more than once over several different days.

NHTSA ID

11765801

Incident

Sep 21, 2026

The Auto Idle Stop/Start feature has malfunctioned multiple times, leaving me stalled out at a green light in traffic. Sometimes the system hesitates to restart and shows a warning message on the dash that is too long to read for the split second that it shows, and other times it requires a full manual restart of the vehicle. The feature works to shut the engine off, but intermittently does not start back up when taking foot off the brake, and requires a few shut off instructions that are complicated to follow when sitting in a parked vehicle in moving traffic. This is highly unsafe. The hesitation warnings were visible on my maintenance report, but nothing was said about them at the service center, so I did not think they were an issue. I will be taking the vehicle back to Honda to address this auto start failure, but I am aware that there is currently not a recall for this Auto Idle Stop/Start feature, despite it being well documented by other Honda vehicle owners.

NHTSA ID

11763839

Incident

Sep 11, 2026

I am reporting an urgent potential safety defect involving my 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport, in Puerto Rico. Since the first oil/filter service, the vehicle has repeatedly developed a grinding/growling/knocking-type noise and physical sensation through the steering wheel and cabin, especially on rough, porous or uneven pavement and during minor road irregularities or braking/load changes. The condition has been reported to Honda-authorized service multiple times (about four visits over nearly a year), but the cause was initially not identified. On 08/20/2026 Flagship Honda advisor informed me it was rack and pinion broken. On 08/24/2026, Flagship Honda (Kennedy Ave., San Juan, PR 00920), RO #XXXXXX, at 12,556 miles, documented a steering-system inspection and found a “golpe” (knock) in the steering column. The written diagnosis states the steering column had internal wear in the motor and “cruje al moverse” (creaks/cracks when moving), requiring replacement. Honda authorized the repair. On 09/01/2026, under warranty, Honda replaced the steering column assembly (Part #XXXXXX) under RO #XXXXXX, at 12,870 miles. The dealer documented replacement, alignment, and a 2-mile road test, stating the condition was corrected. However, the exact same grinding/growling noise and physical sensation remain after replacement. I reported this again to the dealer on 09/07/2026 and was told another appointment with a Honda inspector is required for further diagnosis. I am very concerned because this recurring steering-related condition remains unresolved in a nearly new vehicle, and the true root cause is unknown. I am concerned about possible loss of steering control or another safety consequence, especially with my family in the vehicle. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this complaint and determine whether this may represent a safety-related defect affecting other 2025 Ridgelines. I have repair orders and warranty documentation supporting these facts.

NHTSA ID

11762634

Incident

Sep 30, 2025

Auto bright headlight feature malfunctions constant when on almost to thr effect of a strobe light. Street lights, reflective street markings, reflective road signs, all make it disbale. When it actually does need to disable when another car is approaching it doesn't cut off early enough blinding on coming traffic. The system doesn't work period and is very distracting, and very dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11762600

Incident

Sep 5, 2026

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2024-2026 Odysseys & Ridgelines and 2024-2025 Passports with a customer complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P0441 (EVAP System Purge Flow Malfunction) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2024-2026 Odysseys & Ridgelines and 2024-2025 Passports with a customer complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P0441 (EVAP System Purge Flow Malfunction) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2024-2026 Odysseys & Ridgelines and 2024-2025 Passports with a customer complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P0441 (EVAP System Purge Flow Malfunction) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Over The Air - This update contains various performance enhancements and UI improvements.

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.