2018 Honda Ridgeline Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026

Caution

Ranks 16th of 17 Ridgeline years we score.

Owner complaints: 162; 15 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 68.7; 21,396 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 2.2×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 43; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 7
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2017 Ridgeline 2019 Ridgeline →

Should You Buy the 2018 Honda Ridgeline?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline is 61 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 2.2 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 16th of the 17 Ridgeline years we score.

The most reported problem is the rearview camera, mostly stopped working (65 of 162 complaints). Owners also complain about engine failure and the capless fuel filler. 43 of the 162 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 7 recalls. Honda also offers a warranty extension that may still apply, for a problem with the engine. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2017 scores 58 and the 2019 scores 64.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 21-010 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
5-star NHTSA overall crash rating
1 Honda warranty extension may cover repairs

Cons

About 2.2 times the problems of the average car its age
More complaints than average about major systems in the last two years
Rearview camera: stopped working65 complaints
Engine failure: failure or loss of drive18 complaints

How the 2018 Ridgeline Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems43 complaints · average car: about 23	1.8×	−14
Everyday problems104 complaints · average car: about 32	3.1×	−7
Problems in the last two years22 complaints · average car: about 10	2.0×	−12
Recalls7 recalls · average car: about 5.3	1.2×	−6
Score		61

Each part shows two counts: this year's so far, and what an average car would have at the same age. For complaints, that average car was made in the same number as this one. “Vs average” compares the two counts, but in our scoring system we first add a little to both, so a few complaints cannot swing the result. That is why it is not simply one count divided by the other. The last two years count only complaints about five systems: the engine and fuel system, transmission, brakes, steering, and airbags and seat belts.

What Owners Report

We read all 162 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Rearview camera: stopped working
65 complaints (40%)
A feature that stopped working, problems that come and go and damage. Median mileage when it started: about 48,000 miles.
Engine failure: failure or loss of drive
18 complaints (11%)
Failure or loss of drive and parts breaking or coming apart. All 18 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 90,000 miles.
Capless fuel filler: sticking or stiffness
14 complaints (9%)
Sticking or stiffness and water leaking in. Median mileage when it started: about 1,000 miles.
Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
7 complaints (4%)
Harsh or delayed shifts, vibration or shudder and failure or loss of drive. 3 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow.
Engine: unusual noises
4 complaints (2%)
Unusual noises, a loss of power and rough running or misfires. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Key fob failure
4 complaints (2%)
A failure, a feature that stopped working and problems that come and go. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
Hood: parts breaking or coming apart
4 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and vibration or shudder.
Vehicle alarm: the system acting on its own
4 complaints (2%)
The system acting on its own.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, damage and a failure. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
Brakes failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure and loss of braking. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Fuel pump failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
2 complaints (1%)
A loss of power. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Driver-assist camera and radar failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure and a stored fault code.
Torque converter failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure and vibration or shudder.

Reported Once (24)

Show the 24 problems reported once

Automatic emergency braking: the system not working when needed
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
Check engine light (cause not stated)
Control module (unspecified) failure
Several warning lights at once
Door latches: not opening or unlocking
Engine oil leak
Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash
Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
Ignition or push-button start: warning lights
Screen and audio: stopped working
Mirrors: parts breaking or coming apart
Noise (cause not stated)
Oil pressure: warning lights
Cruise control: surging
Fire (cause not stated)
Phone and navigation: stopped working
Side blind zone alert failure
Steering failure
Struts or shocks failure
Transmission fluid leak
Shifter or park: wrong readings
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
Windshield: shattering or cracking

How the 2018 Honda Ridgeline Compares With Other Years

The other Ridgeline years of the 2nd generation, 2017 to 2026.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2026	Too new	–	–	3.4	0	Headlights: works on and off
2025	Provisional 54	–	–	18.8	2	Auto idle stop system: the car not starting
2024	Caution	62	2.2×	17.9	1	Headlights: works on and off
2023	Caution	67	1.4×	17.4	5	Headlights: works on and off
2022	Caution	65	1.7×	28.0	3	Headlights: works on and off
2021	Caution	63	1.8×	34.0	7	Headlights: works on and off
2020	Caution	61	2.0×	45.4	8	Rearview camera: stopped working
2019	Caution	64	1.4×	33.3	11	Rearview camera: stopped working
2018 This year	Caution	61	2.2×	68.7	7	Rearview camera: stopped working
2017	Avoid	58	2.2×	66.7	8	Rearview camera: stopped working

See every Ridgeline year

2018 Honda Ridgeline Recalls

Seven recalls cover the 2018 Honda Ridgeline. The most recent was issued in June 2026: “Rear Suspension Components May Fail.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Rear Suspension Components May Fail
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.
NHTSA 26V365000 Recall report (PDF)Issued Jun 4, 2026.
Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 26V332000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 21, 2026.
Fuel Pump May Fail
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V858000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 18, 2023. By the second quarter of 2026, 73% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Rearview Camera May Fail
An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V867000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 23, 2022. By the second quarter of 2026, 81% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Hood May Open While Driving
A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V932000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 29, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 87% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Pump Feed Port May Crack And Leak
A crack in the fuel pump feed port can allow pressurized fuel to leak out, increasing the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 19V053000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 24, 2019. By the second quarter of 2020, 93% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 1 more recalls

Rivets That Secure Seats May Fail/FMVSS 207, 210
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.
NHTSA 18V221000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 5, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 87% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2018 Honda Ridgeline Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has one warranty extension for the 2018 Honda Ridgeline, separate from its recalls. It is for a problem with the engine. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

Warranty extensionHonda 21-010
Check engine light: catalytic converter, misfire or fuel injector codes (without software update)
The problem:
The engine software can misread sensors as a worn catalytic converter. Debris can also wear or clog the fuel injectors. The check engine light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer tests the engine cylinders and replaces the fuel injectors for free.
Who qualifies:
The check engine light must come on with a listed catalytic converter, misfire or air fuel fault. For a catalytic converter fault, the program does not apply if all cylinders pass the test. Coverage passes to later owners.
Coverage:
10 years or 150,000 miles from the original purchase date, whichever comes first.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

2018 Honda Ridgeline NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened five investigations that cover the 2018 Honda Ridgeline. One is still open, one led to a recall, two closed without one and one other has closed.

Rear-view camera image not displaying in 2017-2018 Ridgelines
Led to a recall
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation, opened in February 2022, covered 2017-2018 Ridgelines. It had 107 complaints that the rear-view camera image would not display in reverse. Honda found the tubing protecting the camera wire harness was too short, so the harness was damaged. Honda filed recall 22V-867 in November 2022 for all 2017-2019 Ridgelines. NHTSA closed the case in December 2022.
NHTSA PE22001 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Feb 7, 2022 to Dec 19, 2022
Whether the rear-view camera repair on Ridgelines will last
Closed
NHTSA's recall query, opened in June 2024, checked whether Honda's rear-view camera harness repair under recall 22V-867 would last on 2017-2019 Ridgelines. Parts recalled later under 24V-321 shared the repair parts' supplier and materials. Honda knew of 14 reports of replacement harnesses failing. In February 2025 NHTSA upgraded the case to engineering analysis EA25-003 for more testing.
NHTSA RQ24011 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jun 26, 2024 to Feb 11, 2025
Engine failures outside the scope of an engine recall
Closed without a recall
NHTSA's recall query tested whether Honda recall 23V-751 was wide enough. That recall covers 3.5-liter V6 engines with a crankshaft defect. The query covered 2018-2020 Odysseys, 2015-2020 Pilots and 2017-2019 Ridgelines. NHTSA found Honda had set the scope properly and closed the query in August 2025. It moved the complaints to PE25-008.
NHTSA RQ24013 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Nov 8, 2024 to Aug 20, 2025
Rear-view camera harness failures after the Ridgeline recall repair
Closed without a recall
NHTSA's engineering analysis covered 2017-2019 Ridgelines repaired under recall 22V-867. It began after 14 reports of rear-view camera harness failures following the repair. An owner survey and inspections found no failures from harness damage. Durability tests indicated the part is not expected to fail within a reasonable vehicle life. NHTSA closed the case in September 2026 without further action.
NHTSA EA25003 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Feb 11, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026
Engine failures from connecting rod bearings in V6 models
Still open
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation, opened in August 2025, covers 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5-liter V6. It lists 2016-2020 Pilots, 2018-2020 Odysseys and 2017-2019 Ridgelines. These engines fall outside Honda recall 23V-751, and NHTSA saw no sign of the same crankshaft defect. The case is still open.
NHTSA PE25008 Opening report (PDF)Open since Aug 20, 2025

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2018 Ridgeline ratings on NHTSA.gov.

Pickup crew cab AWD and pickup crew cab FWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash5/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2018 Ridgeline, from its seven recalls, a Honda warranty extension that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Rear Suspension Components May Fail NHTSA 26V365000
Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash NHTSA 26V332000
Fuel Pump May Fail NHTSA 23V858000
Rearview Camera May Fail NHTSA 22V867000
Hood May Open While Driving NHTSA 21V932000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 7 recalls and which are still open.

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether this warranty extension applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

21-010: check engine light: catalytic converter, misfire or fuel injector codes (without software update)

On the Test Drive

Check the backup camera image when reversing.
Accelerate gently from a stop and again at 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, slipping or harsh shifts are warning signs. Ask for the transmission fluid records.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Rearview camera
Engine failure
Capless fuel filler
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Ridgeline Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.