2021 Honda Ridgeline Safety Report
2021 HONDA RIDGELINE Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 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 (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (91) | 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 | Exterior Lighting | Compare exterior lighting issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Honda Ridgeline with 43 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Honda Ridgeline | 107 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Honda Ridgeline | 158 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Honda Ridgeline | 110 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Honda Ridgeline | 225 | 10 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Honda Ridgeline | 43 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Honda Ridgeline | 154 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Honda Ridgeline Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 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.
Exterior Lighting
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Honda onlyEngine
12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Honda onlyUnknown Or Other
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Honda onlyForward Collision Avoidance
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Honda onlyElectrical System
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Honda onlyPower Train,Engine
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Honda onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline
Reliability Score
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 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 2021 Honda Ridgeline
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Some vehicles have experienced engine knocking and sputtering, particularly at 53k miles, due to connecting rod bearing failure. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance The system frequently triggers false alarms, causing the vehicle to alarm and shake the wheel. |
Low | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Electrical System Dashboard lights and check engine lights have been reported to come on sporadically, and the check engine light may not store codes. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic foundation components in service brakes have been recalled, potentially affecting braking performance. |
Medium | Common | 20k-24k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Honda Ridgeline:
Issues with the forward collision avoidance system, including false alarms and shaking the wheel.
Problems with engine knocking and sputtering, particularly at 53k miles.
Sporadic dashboard lights and check engine lights, and issues with the check engine light not storing codes.
Recalled hydraulic foundation components in service brakes, affecting braking performance.
Recall Details for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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 mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
Summary: 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 may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Honda Ridgeline with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
Forward brake assist, collision mitigation, auto headlight dash lights came on sporadically. As of today the lights are now on constant and unable to clear. Advised that the forward facing camera most likely died and a replacement due to recalibration would be 1500-2000..
The check engine light came on Dec 26 which I took to have checked and was told that it should go to the shop. The code was not being stored. I took it to the Honda dealership and they did a complete check and said the engine had gone back. The connecting rods and barrings cause the engine to fail and it needed to be replaced. I contacted Honda Goodwill and they declined to do anything to help rep...
Driving home from work on a Friday about 1am and my engine started t knock and sputter and the engine light started flashing. Luckily I made it home. I let it sit for a minute and started it back up and it ran fine. I let it sit over the weekend I made an appointment the the dealership for the following Monday. On Monday it started fine to go to my dealer appointment but half way there every cauti...
Vehicle started making a clunking noise that could be felt at 45,000 miles when steering left and right. An independent auto business found loose subframe bolts and lower control arm as well as checked sway bar links and found loose core support braces. The clunking stopped after the bolts were tightened. I found this very odd and concerning. 2021 Honda Rigdeline RTL. Cost to remedy included two h...
The contact's husband owns a 2021 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and made an abnormal knocking sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the timing belt, the water pump, and the tensioner pulley were replac...
I began to hear a knocking noise at 2500 to 3500 rpms and I immediately took my vehicle to the dealer who confirmed rod bearing damage.
The Multipurpose Camera had an Internal Electronic Failure. Indications we all of the warning lights were illuminated on my dash. Initially it began when I had about 43, 400 miles on my truck. The warning lights would all remail lighted on starting the vehicle. I could restart the vehicle and eventually get the lights to go off. Then the slowly began to stay on permanently. I eventually made an a...
2021 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E. Part number 36160-T6Z-A62-M1 failure, hard code U3000-49. Results in total loss of Honda Sense Safety system. Including Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High-Beam Headlights. This appears to be a fairly common issue across Honda models where the ...
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that there was moisture inside driver's side headlight housing. The contact took the headlight assembly apart and blew out the moisture. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. Th...
Auto High Beam. Very sensitive. Sometimes they don't go on when they should and sometimes, they stay on blinding oncoming traffic. I have researched this problem and also have been told this is a known problem with this particular model and year - not just my vehicle.
The forward collision system frequently goes off from a vehicle simply driving in their lane normally. The truck alarms, shakes the wheel, and sometimes brakes automatically. This is alarming for my kids riding in the car and the braking is dangerous for cars behind me. This could cause a rear end collision.
Engine began knocking from the bottom end at 53k miles. It was determined that a connecting rod bearing had failed and Honda is replacing my engine under warranty. No cost was incurred to me but I am adding my complaint because my VIN is not included in the recall for this exact problem in other years close to mine and the recall my need to be expanded to a wider range of VINs.
While making a right turn from a yield sign into oncoming traffic and doing about 15 mph, I depressed the accelerator to speed up and the truck stalled for about 2 seconds. The RPM's drop and you literally lunge forward until power resumes. No warning lights come on and no codes are given. This put my safety at risk and the driver accelerating towards me at risk. This is the first time it happ...
Truck was waiting at a stop light in drive mode and foot on brake pedal. When the light changed to green. I tried to accelerate to go and the whole vehicle shook/lunges forward and shut off. Vehicle went into neutral and wouldn't allow me to go into drive mode. I had to restart the vehicle twice before it allowed me to go into drive again. Vehicle was stuck in the middle of the street with oncomin...
My 2021 Honda Ridgeline engine failed in heavy traffic on the freeway. The car malfunctioned and I lost complete power and started coasting and barely made it through 4 lanes of heavy traffic before the car coasted to a stop. Very dangerous and very lucky not to get hit changing lanes and then waiting on the freeway for assistance. I've made regular oil changes as directed by the computer on the v...
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, the Auto START/STOP feature malfunctioned, and after releasing the brake pedal, the engine failed to automatically restart as designed. After shifting back to park(P), the vehicle restarted and operated as normal. The cause of the failure was not yet been determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure....
This has something to do with circuit board for the seat sensor that activates air bag? I can’t get dealer to take care of recall. They keep saying we don’t have the parts. This is going on since at least September of last year. Why have recall if they aren’t going to do anything about it? They make appointments and then cancel. I have called Honda Customer Service number(twice) listed on the rec...
2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport with 60,000 miles and no other issues. Engine failed to restart after the "auto stop/start" kicked in, all the lights on the dashboard went off and then turned off. After 1 minute, I was able to get the car started again, this happened on 3 different occasions over a 4 week period. Got the car tested and the starter was bad. Contacted Honda, they said too bad, no issues ...
Vehicle has an open recall, but dealer still don't have the parts available to repair for almost a year.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH, the driver depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact's wife was able to pull over to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The driver shut off the vehicle, and the vehicle was able to restart and return to normal functionality....
Showing 20 of 91 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 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: Back Over Prevention
Opened 2024-02-13 · Closed 2024-08-05
On February 13, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24004 to assess alleged failures of the rear-view camera (RVC) in 2020-2023 Model Year (MY) Honda Ridgeline vehicles. At this time, ODI has received a total of 50 complaints with allegations of the RVC image failing to display when the vehicle was in reverse. The RVC wire harness is routed near the hinge in the tailgate, in a location where frequent opening and closing of the tailgate causes bending s...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor
Opened 2025-03-26
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, ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Honda Ridgeline
Has the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE have?
The 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE has 91 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE?
The 2021 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 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE involve exterior lighting (13 complaints), engine (12 complaints), unknown or other (9 complaints). Other affected components include forward collision avoidance, electrical system, power train,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE is acceptable with caveats. It has 91 complaints, 5 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 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE are: 1. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (13 complaints), 2. ENGINE (12 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (9 complaints), 4. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (6 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5 complaints). EXTERIOR LIGHTING is the single most-reported problem area with 13 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE?
Be aware of potential issues with the forward collision avoidance system, engine and engine cooling, electrical system, and service brakes. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure safety. The 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE has 91 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE?
The 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 91 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Forward Collision Avoidance.
What are the known issues with the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE?
Known issues with the 2021 HONDA RIDGELINE include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Forward Collision Avoidance, Electrical System, Service Brakes. These are based on patterns found across 91 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2021 Honda Ridgeline?
Common issues include engine and engine cooling problems, forward collision avoidance system malfunctions, electrical system issues, and service brake recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline?
Yes, recalls have been issued for the rearview camera system, service brakes, and electrical system components.
What should I do if I experience issues with my 2021 Honda Ridgeline?
Contact your local Honda dealership for inspection and repair. Regular maintenance can help prevent many of these issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential issues with the forward collision avoidance system, engine and engine cooling, electrical system, and service brakes. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure safety.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Honda Ridgeline
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline. The data includes 91 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 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