BestCarRank
Honda

2018 Honda RIDGELINE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Honda RIDGELINE has 194 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 134. The most common issue is electrical problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2018 honda ridgeline. the contact stated that the safety system feature that detects surrounding vehicles did not function. in addition, the contact stated that the brakes did not activate in order to avoid a crash when the vehicle was too close to the vehicle in front. the co. There are 8 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 2 crash reports 1 injury

194

Total Complaints

8

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

48 complaints
25%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY SYSTEM FEATURE THAT DETECTS SURROUNDING VEHICLES DID NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT ACTIVATE IN ORDER TO AVOID A CRASH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE CO
  • ON SUNDAY JANUARY 20TH I WAS HEADING TO MONTREAL FROM TORONTO DURING A SNOW STORM. ABOUT 2 HRS INTO THE TRIP, SOMEONE CUT IN FRONT OF ME , AND I ATTEMPTED TO SOUND THE HORN, HOWEVER IT APPEARED IT HAD FROZEN UP, AND BARELY WORKED. ALONG WITH A HORRIBLE EXHAUST VIBRATION DURING THE LAST 3 HOURS OF MY
  • TWO WAY TAILGATE BACK UP CAMERA WIRING BROKE AFTER ONLY 7000 MILES DUE TO POOR DESIGN, PER LIA HONDA REPRESENTATIVE.THIS WIRE HARNESS SUPPLIES BACK UP CAMERA VIEWING. AFTER 7000 MILES I WAS UNABLE TO SEE WHAT WAS BEHIND VEHICLE WHEN BACKING UP. WIRES BROKE DUE TO UNDER ENGINEERED HARNESS MATERIAL.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY SYSTEM FEATURE THAT DETECTS SURROUNDING VEHICLES DID NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT ACTIVATE IN ORDER TO AVOID A CRASH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE CO

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Honda RIDGELINE

Based on 60 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 24K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
32
30-60K
20
60-100K
6
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 13 reports
0-30K
11
30-60K
0
60-100K
1
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

Later than typicalmedian 33K mi · 17 reports
0-30K
7
30-60K
9
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

Later than typicalmedian 38K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
6
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (8)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP24/01/2019

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.

Risk: A crack in the fuel pump feed port can allow pressurized fuel to leak out, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Honda RIDGELINE

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,286
Per month
$191
Per mile
19.1¢
MPG
21
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,667/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,920/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Honda RIDGELINE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,699
Full coverage / month
$142
Liability only / year
$609
vs US avg
+1%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (truck-fullsize)1.08x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.94x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1699

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda RIDGELINE Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2018 RIDGELINE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 194 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY SYSTEM FEATURE THAT DETECTS SURROUNDING VEHICLES DID NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT ACTIVATE IN ORDER TO AVOID A CRASH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE CO

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: THE TAILGATE WIRING HARNESS IS DAMAGED BY ROUTINE OPENING OF THE TAILGATE. THIS CAUSES THE WIRES TO BE SEVERED, CAUSING FAILURE OF THE BACKUP CAMERA AND OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN THE TAILGATE. THE WIRING HARNESS BY DESIGN IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE TAILGATE.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: WATER COLLECTS BEHIND CAPLESS FUEL FILLER FLAPPER AND IN COLD TEMPERATURES, AN ICE PLUG FORMS BEHIND FLAPPER. ICE PLUG PREVENTS OPENING FLAPPER TO INSERT GAS NOZZLE AND AND INABILITY TO REFUEL VEHICLE.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: My 2018 Honda Ridgeline began to make a loud knocking noise from the lower motor. I bought this vehicle last June with 47k miles on it. The vehicle has prompted me twice to change the oil. Both times I changes the oil myself within two days of the car warning stating I had 15% life of the oil. At th

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
194
Recalls
8
Fire reports
1
Crash reports
2
Injury reports
1
Segment avg
134

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2018 Honda RIDGELINE