2021 Honda Ridgeline: common problems and reliability

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline has 94 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and exterior lighting. Owners most often flag transmission problems (2017-2019 6-speed) — rough shifting, clunking, requiring premature fluid changes or flushes as early as 35,000 miles, significant reliability concerns. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2021 model year

94
Owner complaints
7
Recalls
3
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Honda Ridgeline vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

engine
25
exterior lighting
14
electrical system
13
forward collision avoidance
12
power train
11

Recalls affecting the 2021 Ridgeline

seat belts:rear/other:retractor

Campaign 21V900000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly …

visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior

Campaign 23V174000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mir…

service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

Campaign 23V458000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the b…

air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

Campaign 24V064000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passpo…

What owners say across generations

Mixed to positive sentiment overall. The Ridgeline is consistently praised for its superior ride quality, handling, and daily driving comfort, attributed to its unibody construction and independent rear suspension which make it feel more like a car or SUV than

  • Transmission problems (2017-2019 6-speed) — rough shifting, clunking, requiring premature fluid changes or flushes as early as 35,000 miles, significant reliability concerns. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Poor driver-assist system implementation — auto high beams described as "unusable" (cycling on/off erratically), radar cruise control described as "jerky" in traffic, lane-keeping assist ineffective on back roads. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Transmission behavior (9-speed) — described as "lazy" or unrefined with paddle shifters, can get warm under heavy load. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Build quality/assembly issues — misaligned body panels (bumper, bed trunk lid), defective weather stripping, leaking rear sliding window, fuel smell in cabin or garage potentially linked to EVAP or capless fuel system. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Dated/inferior technology — lack of speed limit sign recognition, steeply angled infotainment screen prone to scratches and glare, infotainment system lagging behind competitors. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Ridgeline.

Typical used price

Used Ridgeline listings typically run $39,973–$43,842 across 2011 to 2026 model years.

Other Ridgeline model years

2019 Ridgeline2017 Ridgeline2009 Ridgeline
Full Honda Ridgeline owner reportCompare against another car