2023 Honda RIDGELINE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
126 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
26,059 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 39 of 126 complaints (31.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 11.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 39 |
| Engine | 20 |
| Unknown Or Other | 19 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 8 |
| Back Over Prevention | 7 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 6 |
Exterior Lighting: 39; Engine: 20; Unknown Or Other: 19; Electrical System: 17; Power Train: 11; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 8; Back Over Prevention: 7; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 116 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 48 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 25 |
2022: 3; 2023: 29; 2024: 48; 2025: 21; 2026: 25
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11491233 · 2022-10-27 (October 27, 2022)
The auto headlights have not worked at all since we have owned this vehicle. I have followed the instructions to the letter to setup the auto headlight function up. Frustrated, vehicle was taken to dealer and they acknowledge a problem as they cannot fix it until Honda issues a repair solution. The truck has 560 miles on it. Problematic headlights are a real concern at night
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11491233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11494508 · 2022-11-21 (November 21, 2022)
Auto high beams do not work properly. When using they do not work as intended and cause an extreme danger for visibility. I nearly hit a deer at highway speeds due to failure to operate when should have been in high beam. Also they go on and off causing blinding to oncoming traffic. This is a well known problem documented by numerous honda Ridgeline owners. It needs to be fixed before more people are injured or killed as a result.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11494508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11499561 · 2022-12-30 (December 30, 2022)
The truck lurches forward maybe 2". Once when parking and once when using the remote start. Fortunately it didn't hit anything or anybody.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11499561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11499689 · 2023-01-01 (January 1, 2023)
Auto high beam headlights do not function properly. The high beams will turn on or will not turn off high beams when approaching another vehicle. High beams will turn off when the system sees another light source, such as a pole light, several hundred feet off the road. High beams will also turn on and off for no apparent reason.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11499689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11505604 · 2023-02-04 (February 4, 2023)
Automatic headlight auto bright does not work correctly. Sometimes does not dim to regular headlight and goes back and forth without oncoming cars also.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11505604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11505660 · 2023-02-05 (February 5, 2023)
Automatic highbeam system stays on hi for oncoming vehicles, flashes oncoming vehicles, dims for road signs.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11505660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11507735 · 2023-02-17 (February 17, 2023)
Automatic high beams don’t work fluidly. This is a safety issue because they are sensitive to the point where it seems you are “high beaming” oncoming traffic. This problem has been confirmed by several legitimate websites and by myself. All components are in working order. There are no warning lamps as this is the way the vehicle was intended to operate by the manufacturer. Honda let it slip past and it should not have. This problem needs further review by NHTSA for safety purposes. Thanks
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11507735 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11513868 · 2023-03-26 (March 26, 2023)
Car lost power and check engine light came on when exiting the highway on an off ramp.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11513868 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V458000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
Reported: 2023-06-29 (June 29, 2023)
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 brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
Consequence: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V184000 · Steering:Rack And Pinion
Reported: 2024-03-07 (March 7, 2024)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Passport and Ridgeline vehicles. The inner ball joint housing in the steering gearbox assembly may loosen and detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gearbox as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is LHY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V321000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2024-05-09 (May 9, 2024)
Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V332000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2026-05-21 (May 21, 2026)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V365000 · Suspension:Rear | Structure:Frame And Members
Reported: 2026-06-04 (June 4, 2026)
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Consequence: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
NHTSA campaign record ↗