2021 Honda Ridgeline Reliability Report

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

Caution

Ranks 13th of 17 Ridgeline years we score.

Owner complaints: 102; 8 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 34.0; 27,677 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 1.8×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 33; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 7
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2020 Ridgeline 2022 Ridgeline →

Should You Buy the 2021 Honda Ridgeline?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline is 63 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 1.8 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 13th of the 17 Ridgeline years we score.

The most reported problem is the headlights, mostly works on and off (16 of 102 complaints). Owners also complain about loss of power and engine failure. 33 of the 102 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 7 recalls. Honda also offers two warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the engine. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2020 scores 61 and the 2022 scores 65.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 23-009 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
2 Honda warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

About 1.8 times the problems of the average car its age
Headlights: works on and off16 complaints
Loss of power (cause not stated)10 complaints
Engine failure: failure or loss of drive8 complaints

How the 2021 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 problems33 complaints · average car: about 20	1.6×	−13
Everyday problems61 complaints · average car: about 26	2.3×	−6
Problems in the last two years19 complaints · average car: about 14	1.4×	−11
Recalls7 recalls · average car: about 3.8	1.5×	−7
Score		63

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 102 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Headlights: works on and off
16 complaints (16%)
Problems that come and go and water leaking in. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 1,000 miles.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
10 complaints (10%)
Reduced power or limp mode and a loss of power. All 10 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 6 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 2,000 miles.
Engine failure: failure or loss of drive
8 complaints (8%)
Failure or loss of drive, unusual noises and reduced power or limp mode. 7 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.
Rearview camera: works on and off
8 complaints (8%)
Problems that come and go, a feature that stopped working and wrong readings. Median mileage when it started: about 34,000 miles.
Engine: reduced power or limp mode
6 complaints (6%)
Reduced power or limp mode and stalling. All 6 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 10,000 miles.
Driver-assist camera and radar failure
6 complaints (6%)
A failure that needed a new part, a stored fault code and a feature that stopped working.
Auto idle stop system: the car not starting
6 complaints (6%)
The car not starting. All 6 describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Shifter or park: the car rolling away
4 complaints (4%)
The car rolling away, the system acting on its own and failure or loss of drive. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
3 complaints (3%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead.
Adaptive cruise control: hard braking with nothing ahead
2 complaints (2%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead.
Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart.
Forward collision warning: the system acting on its own
2 complaints (2%)
The system acting on its own.
Wireless phone charger: works on and off
2 complaints (2%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Stall (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Stalling. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
2 complaints (2%)
Shattering or cracking.

Reported Once (19)

Show the 19 problems reported once

Airbags: no deployment in a crash
Ball joints and control arms: damage
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
Brakes: loss of braking
Several warning lights at once
Frame or structure: damage
Fuel system: warning lights
Lane keeping assist: pulling or wandering
Mirrors: wrong readings
Oil pressure: a leak
Driver assistance system (part not stated): stopped working
Wheel studs or lug nuts: parts breaking or coming apart
Windshield washer system: stopped working
Phone and navigation: works on and off
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
Starter: the car not starting
Steering: sticking or stiffness
Tailgate: not closing or latching
Tire pressure monitoring: wrong readings

How the 2021 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 This year	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	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

2021 Honda Ridgeline Recalls

Seven recalls cover the 2021 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.
Rearview Camera Image May Not Display
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 24V321000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 9, 2024. By the second quarter of 2026, 79% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air Bag May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 24V064000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 1, 2024. By the second quarter of 2026, 52% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Loose Fastener on Brake Booster Assembly
Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V458000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 29, 2023. By the second quarter of 2025, 84% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Side-View Mirrors May Detach/FMVSS 111
Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V174000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 16, 2023. By the fourth quarter of 2025, 87% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 1 more recalls

Seat Belt Retractor Malfunction/FMVSS 208
The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system. An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA 21V900000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 18, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 76% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2021 Honda Ridgeline Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has two warranty extensions and one service campaign for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline, separate from its recalls. All three are for problems with the engine. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

Warranty extensionHonda 23-009
Engine not restarting after auto idle stop (valves and starter)
The problem:
After the car stops with auto idle stop on, the engine may not restart by itself. The cause is too much cylinder pressure or low cranking torque.
The fix:
A Honda dealer adjusts the valves and replaces the starter and starter relays for free.
Who qualifies:
The earlier software update 23-008 must be done first if it applies. Repairs must relate to this no restart problem. Coverage passes to later owners. The VIN must show as eligible.
Coverage:
10 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit for these repairs.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 23-010
Engine not restarting after auto idle stop (valve adjustment)
The problem:
After the car stops with auto idle stop on, the engine may not restart by itself. The cause is too much cylinder pressure or low cranking torque.
The fix:
A Honda dealer adjusts the engine valves for free.
Who qualifies:
The earlier software update 23-008 must be done first if it applies. A technician must confirm the symptom before the repair. Coverage passes to later owners. The VIN must show as eligible.
Coverage:
10 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit for this repair.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Service campaignHonda 23-008
Auto idle stop software update
The problem:
After the car stops with auto idle stop on, the engine may not restart by itself. The driver must select Park and push the engine start/stop button.
The fix:
A Honda dealer installs an engine control software update.
Who qualifies:
The car's VIN must show the update as open. Honda dealers must update affected new or used cars before selling them.
Coverage:
No time or mileage limit is given. Ask a Honda dealer whether this applies to the car's VIN.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

2021 Honda Ridgeline NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened two investigations that cover the 2021 Honda Ridgeline. One is still open and one led to a recall.

Rear-view camera wiring breaking in 2020-2023 Ridgelines
Led to a recall
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation, opened in February 2024, covered 2020-2023 Ridgelines. It had 50 complaints of the rear-view camera image not displaying. Honda found the harness material lets in water and salt, so freeze-thaw cycles and tailgate use can break the wiring. Honda filed recall 24V-321 in May 2024 for all 2020-2024 Ridgelines. NHTSA closed the case in August 2024.
NHTSA PE24004 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Feb 13, 2024 to Aug 5, 2024
Engines failing to restart after automatic idle stop
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in March 2025, looks at engines that fail to restart after automatic idle stop shuts them off at a light. It lists 2016-2025 Pilots and 2018-2025 Odysseys, plus Passports and Ridgelines. Honda issued service bulletins and a 10-year warranty on some parts. Owners still report failures after the fixes. The case is still open.
NHTSA EA25004 Opening report (PDF)Open since Mar 26, 2025

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2021 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 2021 Ridgeline, from its seven recalls, two Honda warranty extensions 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
Rearview Camera Image May Not Display NHTSA 24V321000
Air Bag May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash NHTSA 24V064000
Loose Fastener on Brake Booster Assembly NHTSA 23V458000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 7 recalls and which are still open.

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

23-009: engine not restarting after auto idle stop (valves and starter)
23-010: engine not restarting after auto idle stop (valve adjustment)

On the Test Drive

Drive long enough to warm up fully, including at highway speed, and note any stalling or loss of power.
Check the backup camera image when reversing.
Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.

Ask the Seller

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

Headlights
Loss of power
Engine failure
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.