Owners have reported 3 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to NHTSA for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints49
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Honda Ridgeline frequently report issues with the rear backup camera, often linked to a damaged wiring harness in the tailgate area. Symptoms include a non-functional camera, black or blank screens, and exposed or severed wires due to regular tailgate operation. These issues are commonly noted around 50,000 to 80,000 miles, with some reports indicating the problem arises shortly after purchase. Additionally, several complaints describe erratic electrical behavior, such as unintended deployment of airbags, malfunctioning keyless access systems, and unintended operation of windows and alarms. While there is one report involving a crash, the primary safety concern highlighted by owners is the inability to see behind the vehicle, which could pose risks to pedestrians and objects when reversing.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints22
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Owners of the 2018 Honda Ridgeline frequently report failures of the backup camera due to issues with the wiring harness at the tailgate hinge. Complaints commonly describe symptoms such as the camera screen displaying a black image, intermittent functionality, or complete failure, often due to frayed or broken wires. These issues typically arise after the warranty period, with several reports emerging around 26,000 to 65,000 miles. The safety implications include the inability to rely on the backup camera, which some owners express as a concern for preventing collisions while reversing. Potential buyers should be aware of this recurring issue, particularly regarding the design of the tailgate's two-way opening mechanism, which may contribute to wear on the wiring harness.
Owner complaints17
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners report that the 2018 Honda Ridgeline's capless fuel system frequently allows water to enter the fuel filler neck, which can freeze in cold temperatures and prevent the fuel nozzle from being inserted, making refueling impossible. Complaints often describe the need to melt ice to resolve the issue temporarily, with some owners mentioning that this occurs during rain or after car washes when temperatures drop below freezing. Additionally, a few complaints highlight unresolved fuel pump recall issues, with owners experiencing delays in obtaining necessary repairs, leading to concerns about potential engine stalling. These issues do not appear to be linked to specific mileage ranges but are associated with specific weather conditions. No reports indicate crashes or fires directly related to these fuel system problems, but the inability to refuel can be problematic in certain situations.
Owner complaints16
ENGINE
Owners of the 2018 Honda Ridgeline frequently report engine failures linked to rod bearing issues, with symptoms such as knocking noises, flashing check engine lights, and sudden loss of power. These failures often occur without warning, leading to complete engine shutdowns and, in some cases, visible holes in the engine block. Complaints commonly arise around or after 90,000 miles, with some incidents occurring during highway driving, posing potential safety risks due to loss of power in traffic. Additionally, a few owners mention issues with oil contamination in spark plugs and rapid transmission fluid consumption, though these are less prevalent. This information is crucial for potential buyers considering this model year, especially in light of related recalls for other model years.
Owner complaints13
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Honda Ridgeline frequently report issues related to recall repairs for the fuel system, specifically concerning the availability of parts for a fuel pump replacement. Complaints often highlight extended delays in obtaining the necessary parts for the recall repair, with some owners waiting several months without resolution. While most owners have not experienced a direct failure, a few report symptoms such as engine stalling, loss of motive power, and illuminated warning lights, typically occurring around 60,000 to 102,000 miles. One owner describes a separate issue with difficulty removing the fuel pump nozzle from the capless fill spout, requiring manual intervention to resolve. Safety implications include potential stalling while driving, which may lead to loss of vehicle control. This information is relevant for prospective buyers considering the reliability and maintenance history of this model.
Owner complaints10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Honda Ridgeline frequently report issues with the rear backup camera, with many complaints pointing to broken or damaged wires in the tailgate area as the cause. Symptoms typically include the camera displaying a black screen when the vehicle is in reverse, and visible damage to the wire harness is often noted. These issues appear to occur regardless of the vehicle's mileage, with some reports mentioning problems shortly after purchase and others around 50,000 miles. Additionally, one owner reports a fire originating from the engine compartment, which occurred while the vehicle was idling. This fire incident raises potential safety concerns, particularly if the vehicle is in use. Buyers considering a used 2018 Honda Ridgeline should be aware of these commonly reported issues, especially the recurring backup camera failures linked to wire damage.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints8
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2018 Honda Ridgeline frequently report issues related to the vehicle's hood, with multiple complaints describing excessive vibration or bouncing at speeds typically above 30 MPH, and in one case, the hood raising approximately two inches while driving at 55 MPH. Some owners attribute this to potential problems with the adhesive holding the hood components together. Additionally, there are reports of water leaks from the moonroof or windshield affecting the blind spot monitor sensors, and one incident involving a crash due to radar sensor misalignment after hitting a rock. These complaints appear at varying mileages, with one owner noting the issue shortly after purchase at 1,165 miles. Potential buyers should be aware of these structural issues, as they may have implications for safety and repair costs.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Honda Ridgeline frequently report issues with the power train, primarily involving hard or rough shifting between gears, particularly between 2nd and 3rd, and 4th and 5th gears. Symptoms include unexpected engine revving, vibration at certain speeds, and transmission fluid leakage, with some owners experiencing these problems around 19,000 to 61,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, as one complaint describes a loss of power on the highway accompanied by white smoke, posing visibility challenges for other drivers. Additionally, some owners mention receiving transmission warnings and experiencing overheating issues, which have reportedly led to significant drivetrain malfunctions. Potential buyers should be aware of these reported issues and the associated safety risks.
Owner complaints2
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Honda Ridgeline report issues with the vehicle's service brakes, particularly involving the Forward Collision Automatic Emergency Braking System and brake pedal behavior during starts. One complaint describes a crash where the brake pedal failed to operate as expected, leading to a collision, despite the air bags deploying and no injuries occurring. This incident happened at approximately 28,000 miles. Another owner notes that the brake pedal depresses significantly when starting the vehicle after it has been idle for an extended period, such as during quarantine, with no satisfactory explanation provided by the dealer. These reports suggest potential safety implications, including a crash and unexpected brake pedal behavior, which may concern potential buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Honda Ridgeline report issues with vehicle speed control, particularly noting an unexpected delay in acceleration from a stop. This delay, described as unpredictable and lasting up to 3 to 4 seconds, occurs frequently and can leave the vehicle unresponsive to accelerator input, posing potential safety risks at intersections. Additionally, there are reports of uncommanded acceleration of up to 5 mph after setting the cruise control, occurring intermittently at various speeds. These issues appear to persist across different driving conditions, with one owner experiencing them consistently since purchasing the vehicle in January 2020. Buyers should be aware of these symptoms as they could impact driving safety and performance.
