2019 Honda RIDGELINE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2019 Honda RIDGELINE has 291 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is fuel system problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: strong fuel odor coming from the engine compartment which is drawn in through the hvac vents while stopped. it also makes my garage smell like gasoline for hours after the vehicle is shut off. the dealer said they couldn't find a fuel leak. it doesn't do it every time, but most of the time. it's not. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 9 crash reports 12 injuries

291

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

FUEL SYSTEM

72 complaints

25%

• STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH IS DRAWN IN THROUGH THE HVAC VENTS WHILE STOPPED. IT ALSO MAKES MY GARAGE SMELL LIKE GASOLINE FOR HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A FUEL LEAK. IT DOESN'T DO IT EVERY TIME, BUT MOST OF THE TIME. IT'S NOT
• WHEN TURN ON THE ENGINE HAS A RARE SOUND LIKE A COMBUSTION. MEET THE TECHNITIAN IN HONDA AND HE SAY THAT IS NOT NORMAL BUT HAPPENS IN SOME RIDGELINES
• SMELL OF GAS IN THE CABIN AT ENGINE STARTUP. DISSIPATES WITHIN ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH IS DRAWN IN THROUGH THE HVAC VENTS WHILE STOPPED. IT ALSO MAKES MY GARAGE SMELL LIKE GASOLINE FOR HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A FUEL LEAK. IT DOESN'T DO IT EVERY TIME, BUT MOST OF THE TIME. IT'S NOT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

41 complaints

14%

• SMELL OF FUEL OR BURNT OIL EMANATING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ENTERING CABIN THROUGH HVAC SYSTEM WHEN IDLING. WARM ENGINE ALSO EMANATES FUEL/BURNT OIL SMELL AFTER IT IS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. WHEN PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE THE SMELL CAN BE OVERWHELMING. TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT T
• FUEL / COMBUSTION CHAMBER ODORS ACCUMULATING AROUND ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED IN GARAGE AND FILLING THE CABIN WITH NAUSEATING ODOR. THIS PROBLEM COMES AND GOES WITH NEW RESOLUTION FROM DEALER. SEEM AS AN ENGINE VENTING ISSUE. ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE NEW PHURCHASE.
• The contact owns a 2019 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated while at a standstill the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The fire marshals came and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an insurance lot. The contact stated no warning lights

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports

“SMELL OF FUEL OR BURNT OIL EMANATING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ENTERING CABIN THROUGH HVAC SYSTEM WHEN IDLING. WARM ENGINE ALSO EMANATES FUEL/BURNT OIL SMELL AFTER IT IS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. WHEN PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE THE SMELL CAN BE OVERWHELMING. TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

36 complaints

12%

• HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN LOWER AND UPPER GEARS WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED MOSTLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SOMETIMES ON A TURN.OTHERWISE FUNCTIONED OK. DEALER REPLACED THE SECONDARY VALVE BODY AND REMEDIED THE SITUATION. ALL UNDER WARRANTY
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATED. NO WARING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GERALD JONES HONDA DEALER, (4022 WASHINGTON RD
• Vehicle had had a rodent due to the wires long story short through the next day I got a light and things were not driving right and I got it to the dealer thank God. Cost me roughly 250 to 300 to have it repaired on my own dime because they said a rodent chewed The wire. I see and hear from other Ho

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN LOWER AND UPPER GEARS WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED MOSTLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SOMETIMES ON A TURN.OTHERWISE FUNCTIONED OK. DEALER REPLACED THE SECONDARY VALVE BODY AND REMEDIED THE SITUATION. ALL UNDER WARRANTY”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

35 complaints

12%

• ON 8/24/20 I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS OR PARKING. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL SEEING THAT MANY HONDAS HAVE THIS ISSUE. THE ISSUE SEEMED LINED TO THE CLOCK SPRING. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT JOE MORGAN HONDA IN MONROE, OH ON 8/29/20 FOR 8/31/20. JOE MOR
• WHILE DRIVING INFO MANAGEMENT SYSTEM STOPS WORKING, FREEZES THEN GOES BLANK. LOSE ALL DIGITAL INDICATIONS ON DRIVERS DISPLAY AND NAV CUES. WOULD BRIEFLY FLASH EVERY FEW SECONDS AS THOUGH IT WAS TRYING TO RESTART. HAS DONE THIS TWICE NOW IN A NEW TRUCK OF ONLY 26K MILES. THIS OCCURRED IN MOTION A
• WIRE HARNESS TO BACKUP CAMERA IS FAULTY CAUSING CAMERA SCREEN FAILURE TO DETECT PERSONS OR OBJECTS.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“ON 8/24/20 I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS OR PARKING. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL SEEING THAT MANY HONDAS HAVE THIS ISSUE. THE ISSUE SEEMED LINED TO THE CLOCK SPRING. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT JOE MORGAN HONDA IN MONROE, OH ON 8/29/20 FOR 8/31/20. JOE MOR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

26 complaints

• ONE COMMON MISUNDERSTANDING IN DISCUSSIONS I SEE ON 2017-19 RIDGELINE CMBS AND ACC WHILE IN ACTIVE TRAFFIC, IS THAT THE RIDGELINE HONDA SENSING SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION THE SAME AS ACURA OR ANY HONDA CAR. THE RIDGELINE ACC DISENGAGES AT 22 MPH AND TO THE BEST OF MY UNDERSTANDING AFFECTS THE CMBS, D
• WHEN TURN ON THE ENGINE HAS A RARE SOUND LIKE A COMBUSTION. MEET THE TECHNITIAN IN HONDA AND HE SAY THAT IS NOT NORMAL BUT HAPPENS IN SOME RIDGELINES
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A TOXIC CHEMICAL TYPE ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK. BUTLER HONDA (2631 NORTH COLUMBIA ST, MILLEDGEVILLE, GA) EXAMINED THE VEHICLE BUT THE CAUSE OF THE ODOR COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“ONE COMMON MISUNDERSTANDING IN DISCUSSIONS I SEE ON 2017-19 RIDGELINE CMBS AND ACC WHILE IN ACTIVE TRAFFIC, IS THAT THE RIDGELINE HONDA SENSING SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION THE SAME AS ACURA OR ANY HONDA CAR. THE RIDGELINE ACC DISENGAGES AT 22 MPH AND TO THE BEST OF MY UNDERSTANDING AFFECTS THE CMBS, D”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~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 291 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
FUEL SYSTEM: STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH IS DRAWN IN THROUGH THE HVAC VENTS WHILE STOPPED. IT ALSO MAKES MY GARAGE SMELL LIKE GASOLINE FOR HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A FUEL LEAK. IT DOESN'T DO IT EVERY TIME, BUT MOST OF THE TIME. IT'S NOT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: SMELL OF FUEL OR BURNT OIL EMANATING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ENTERING CABIN THROUGH HVAC SYSTEM WHEN IDLING. WARM ENGINE ALSO EMANATES FUEL/BURNT OIL SMELL AFTER IT IS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. WHEN PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE THE SMELL CAN BE OVERWHELMING. TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN LOWER AND UPPER GEARS WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED MOSTLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SOMETIMES ON A TURN.OTHERWISE FUNCTIONED OK. DEALER REPLACED THE SECONDARY VALVE BODY AND REMEDIED THE SITUATION. ALL UNDER WARRANTY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: ON 8/24/20 I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS OR PARKING. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL SEEING THAT MANY HONDAS HAVE THIS ISSUE. THE ISSUE SEEMED LINED TO THE CLOCK SPRING. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT JOE MORGAN HONDA IN MONROE, OH ON 8/29/20 FOR 8/31/20. JOE MOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)