2018 Honda Ridgeline Safety Report
2018 HONDA RIDGELINE Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Honda Ridgeline. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (6) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (154) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2015 | Compare against the 2015 Honda Ridgeline with 2 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Honda Ridgeline before buying across this generation. |
Honda Ridgeline Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Honda Ridgeline years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Honda Ridgeline | 225 | 10 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Honda Ridgeline | 321 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Honda Ridgeline | 158 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Honda Ridgeline | 91 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Honda Ridgeline | 2 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Honda Ridgeline | 107 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Honda Ridgeline Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Honda Ridgeline, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
34 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Honda onlyBack Over Prevention
22 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Back Over Prevention issues Honda onlyEngine
17 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Honda onlyFuel/Propulsion System
17 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Honda onlyFuel System, Gasoline
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Honda onlyUnknown Or Other
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Honda onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline
Reliability Score
The 2018 Honda Ridgeline receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline Honda is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ridgeline trucks due to a fuel system gasoline delivery fuel pump issue. This can lead to engine seizure. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Back Over Prevention Honda is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ridgeline vehicles due to a back over prevention sensing system camera issue. This can affect visibility. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine There have been reports of engine seizing up without warning, leading to a complete loss of power. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Structure There have been reports of body hood issues leading to recalls. Ensure your vehicle is up to date with recalls. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Honda Ridgeline:
Issues with the fuel system gasoline delivery fuel pump are common.
Problems with the back over prevention sensing system camera are reported.
Engine issues, including seizing up, are reported.
Body hood issues are reported.
Recall Details for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline
The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline by NHTSA:
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ridgeline vehicles. Opening and closing the tailgate may break the rearview camera wiring harness, causing the rearview camera to fail.
Consequence: An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2023. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is 6RW.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
Consequence: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling all Honda Genuine Accessory Tonneau Covers, part number 08Z07-T6Z-100F, sold for installation on 2017-2020 Ridgeline trucks. If the tonneau cover is not properly secured in the open or closed position, wind resistance may cause the cover to flip and buckle. If this occurs, the hinges between the center and rear panel may deform, possibly allowing the rear panel to separate from the vehicle.
Consequence: A separated panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash or injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify all registered owners of 2017-2020 Honda Ridgelines, and dealers will install tethers onto any Honda Genuine Accessory Tonneau Cover to prevent panel separation and apply warning labels, free of charge. In addition, an updated accessory user's information manual will be provided. The recall began October 26, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. H...
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ridgeline trucks. Exposure to acids, such as from car wash soaps, can result in the fuel pump feed port cracking.
Consequence: A crack in the fuel pump feed port can allow pressurized fuel to leak out, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, if necessary, and install a fuel pump cover, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall number for this recall is Q3V.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivets. In the event of a crash, the rivets can break causing the seats not to be secured to the floor. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety St...
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the floor, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is D0S, and T0T.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Honda Ridgeline with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Truck only has 40,500 miles. Was driving down road and made a clunk noise and engine seized up and wouldn't start. There were no warning signs. I had it towed to Honda dealership. Their official repair estimate states verbatim "Bearing on a connecting rod went bad and the rod snapped." The bill is $7800 for a remanufactured engine or $13500 for a new one. I had just had the vehicle's 40,000 mi...
I had the backup camera harness recall performed on my 2018 Honda Ridgeline on 09/06/2023 by Honda of Escondido , CA. (See attached invoice of recall work performed.) On 01/27/2026, the backup camera failed to appear on the dash screen when the vehicle was in reverse. I restarted the vehicle and the camera view was still not visible on the screen. I drove home and parked the vehicle in my garage...
While driving the vehicle to the dealership to have them inspect the vehicle for a knocking noise coming from the engine at startup, the engine stalled. The engine locked up and had to be towed approximately 10 miles to the dealership. Upon inspection by the dealership after pulling the oil pan and inspecting for evidence of rod bearing failure, it was confirmed by the shop manager that there wa...
Service engine light came on and mechanic stated the failed rod bearings have made the vehicle undriveable.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH on I-40 Westbound to I-25 and making a turn in a construction zone, the passenger’s side air bag deployed without warning or impact to the vehicle. There were no reported injuries. The air bag control message was displayed after the failure. Two days later, the system indicators produced a failur...
My check engine light came on and within minutes there was a loud noise, smoke and my vehicle lost power. I was on Hwy 20 returning to Boise, ID from Bend, OR. Luckily this occurred just as I had cell service since I was without cell service just before this occurred. This happened in the evening on Nov 2, 2025. I had just had it serviced for regularly needed maintenance as recommended by Ho...
Multiple warning lights appeared and remained illuminated on my dash, all related to safety features (LKAS, ACC, CMBS AND ROAD DEPARTURE). The problem was confirmed by Capitol Honda Service Department. The vehicle was scanned and stored DTC was found at INTEGRATED DRIVER SUPPORT SYSTEM. U3000-49 MULTIPURPOSE CAMERA UNIT INTERNAL ELECTRONIC FAILURE. The DTC was set as hard code, unable to clear. RE...
Infotainment system have a black screen
Engine started making a knocking noise on start up. Got progressively worse for the next 3 days before I stopped operation. Dealer states "engine has a rod knock likely due to a spun bearing". No warning lights or messages displayed.
Had a clacking noise that got louder depending on RPM's, scheduled a visit to the dealer same day to also take care of a B1 maintenance notification that appeared 2 days prior and on the way to the dealer from work the same day the clacking noise started, the engine light started to flash and then within a few seconds there was a complete loss of power to the accelerator and the RPM's dropped to ...
The truck has a hard/rough shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear in an automatic transmission. No dash light indicating anything wrong with the engine or the transmission.
KEYLESS ACCESS CONTROL UNIT PART NUMBER: 38320-T6Z-A31 The vehicle headlights came on and dash lights flashed on and off. The alarm would also go off and on. This causes the battery to drain as well. Also I know of several other Honda Ridgeline owners who have had the same part failure
We were traveling up the freeway just like any other day. Out of nowhere the low oil light flashed and next thing we know a loud clanking started to happen. We were able to make it to the exit as it was right there thankfully because once we stopped I shut the engine off got out and checked the oil and it was full. I tried to start it again, it started but turned it off fast because the noise it ...
The transmission lost power on the highway. Whit smoke poured out from under/behind the vehicle making it difficult for drivers on the highway to see the road. The vehicle lost power and I costed three lanes to the right to get the vehicle off the highway. Transmission fluid was running out under the vehicle. A tow truck was called to get the vehicle removed from highway.
The vehicle’s front suspension system failed, specifically the driver’s side and passenger’s side front strut assemblies and the driver’s side inner and outer tie rods. These components have been identified by the dealership as needing immediate replacement. The defective components should be available for inspection upon request, pending completion of repairs. The vehicle exhibited wobbling and a...
As I was driving on the freeway, the vehicle lost power completely without any prior warning. All the lights on the dashboard were flashing. The vehicle could not be started again. I was stranded in the middle of the freeway at the very high risk of being rear ended given the relatively lighter traffic at 11pm in Los Angeles. It put other drivers on the freeway at very high risk of running into me...
After performing regular maintenance to Honda Ridgeline 2018 by replacing the spark plugs, spark plug number 4 was contaminated with oil. All other 5 spark plugs had not sign of oil. This was discovered during the 100K miles tune up. A leaking component (e.g. a tube seal) in the well or an engine-related issue that's causing oil to enter the combustion chamber can cause a critical engine failur...
I went to fill my vehicle with gasoline on 02/06/2025. The 2018 Honda Ridgeline has a capless fuel system to enter fuel into the vehicle and there are two flaps that the gasoline nozzle is required to open. It repeatedly attempted to insert the nozzle and the first flap would not move. I pushed harder, and the first flap broke. I still could not insert the nozzle to get gasoline into my vehicle. I...
The referenced Recall for my Honda Ridgeline indicates that the fuel pump is suspect for an inadequate impeller and a possible safety problem. I have been awaiting this replacement part at least 8 months and the original recall has a date of December 18, 2023 which is over a year since identified. I have visited the dealership several times over the last six months and have been assured that I am ...
Crankshaft leading to rod bearing failure causing engine failure. Same issuse as 2017 and 2019 models that had recall 23v-751 issued
Showing 20 of 154 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine
Opened 2024-11-08 · Closed 2025-08-20
On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature conne...
Component: Back Over Prevention
Opened 2024-06-26 · Closed 2025-02-11
On June 26, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ24011) to assess the long-term suitability of the remedy for recall 22V-867, which was filed on November 23, 2022 by American Honda Motor Co. (Honda). Recall 22V-867 addressed concerns of a loss of the Rear-View Camera (RVC) function in model year (MY) 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. Recall 22V-867 states that the RVC wire harness was manufactured with a protective corrugated tubing which was insufficient to pr...
Component: Engine
Opened 2025-08-20
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline. The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013). It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathere...
Component: Back Over Prevention
Opened 2022-02-07 · Closed 2022-12-19
On February 7, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22-001) to assess alleged failures of the rear-view camera (RVC) in 2017-2018 Model Year Honda Ridgeline vehicles. At this time, ODI has received a total of 107 complaints with allegations of the RVC image failing to display when the vehicle was in reverse.The RVC wire harness is manufactured with a protective corrugated tubing and harness guide to help mitigate stress on the RVC wire harness when the...
Component: Back Over Prevention
Opened 2025-02-11
On June 26, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ24011) to assess the long-term suitability of the remedy for recall 22V-867, which was filed on November 23, 2022 by American Honda Motor Co. (Honda). Recall 22V-867 addressed concerns of a loss of the Rear-View Camera (RVC) function in model year (MY) 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. Recall 22V-867 states that the RVC wire harness was manufactured with a protective corrugated tubing which was insufficient to pr...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Honda Ridgeline
Has the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE has 6 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE have?
The 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE has 154 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE?
The 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE involve electrical system (34 complaints), back over prevention (22 complaints), engine (17 complaints). Other affected components include fuel/propulsion system, fuel system, gasoline, unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE is acceptable with caveats. It has 154 complaints, 6 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (34 complaints), 2. BACK OVER PREVENTION (22 complaints), 3. ENGINE (17 complaints), 4. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (17 complaints), 5. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (10 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 34 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE?
Ensure your 2018 Honda Ridgeline is up to date with all recalls and service bulletins to avoid potential safety issues. The 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE has 154 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE?
The 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 154 owner complaints, 6 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Fuel System, Gasoline and Back Over Prevention.
What are the known issues with the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE?
Known issues with the 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE include: Fuel System, Gasoline, Back Over Prevention, Engine, Structure. These are based on patterns found across 154 NHTSA complaints. 6 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2018 Honda Ridgeline?
The most common issues are with the fuel system, back over prevention system, engine, and structure.
Is my 2018 Honda Ridgeline affected by any recalls?
Check if your vehicle is included in the recalls for the fuel system gasoline delivery fuel pump and back over prevention sensing system camera.
What should I do if I experience engine issues?
Contact a Honda dealership immediately to have your vehicle inspected and repaired.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Ensure your 2018 Honda Ridgeline is up to date with all recalls and service bulletins to avoid potential safety issues.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Honda Ridgeline
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline. The data includes 154 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Honda Ridgeline an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16