2025 Honda Ridgeline Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026
Final score after 36 months. Likely between 51 and 57.
- Owner complaints
- 98
- 1 is a recall notice
- Per 10,000 cars
- 18.8
- 51,639 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 3.1×
- same age, so far
- Serious outcomes
- 40
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 2
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5★
- overall, out of 5
Should You Buy the 2025 Honda Ridgeline?
It is too early to say for sure. We give a final score after 36 months of complaints. So far the 2025 Honda Ridgeline has a provisional score of 54, likely between 51 and 57. That puts it in the worse third of the 2025 vehicles we can compare.
The 2024 Ridgeline, from the same generation, scored 62 and rated Caution.
The most reported problem is auto idle stop, mostly the car not starting (28 of 98 complaints). Owners also complain about the headlights and the brakes. 40 of the 98 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 2 recalls. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done 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
Cons
- Auto idle stop system: the car not starting28 complaints
- Headlights: works on and off26 complaints
- Brakes: loss of braking6 complaints
Why There Is No Final Score Yet
Provisional score 54, likely between 51 and 57
It is based on complaints in its first 27 months, compared with the average car at the same age. It sits in the worse third of the 24 model-year 2025 vehicles we can compare so far. The final score and rating come at 36 months.
It is the same generation as the 2024 Ridgeline, which scored 62 and rated Caution.
What Owners Report
We read all 98 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2025 Honda Ridgeline, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 98.
Auto idle stop system: the car not starting
28 complaints (29%)
The car not starting, stalling and warning lights. 26 of these 28 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. In 5 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem.
Headlights: works on and off
26 complaints (27%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 0 miles.
Brakes: loss of braking
6 complaints (6%)
Loss of braking, sticking or stiffness and a failure. 4 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking.
Forward collision warning: the system acting on its own
5 complaints (5%)
The system acting on its own.
Starter: the car not starting
5 complaints (5%)
The car not starting. All 5 describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
4 complaints (4%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead and the system acting on its own.
Several warning lights at once
3 complaints (3%)
Warning lights.
Stall (cause not stated)
3 complaints (3%)
Stalling and failure or loss of drive. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Adaptive cruise control: hard braking with nothing ahead
2 complaints (2%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead and problems that come and go. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden braking.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
2 complaints (2%)
Water leaking in.
Driver-assist camera and radar: hard braking with nothing ahead
2 complaints (2%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead. Both describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
2 complaints (2%)
Harsh or delayed shifts.
Reported Once (16)
Show the 16 problems reported once
- 12V battery failure
- Battery drain: draining the battery
- Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
- Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash
- Horn: stopped working
- In-bed trunk: a bad smell
- Lane keeping assist: the system acting on its own
- Electrical system (part not stated): works on and off
- Fire (cause not stated)
- Road departure mitigation: works on and off
- Side blind zone alert: works on and off
- Car not starting (cause not stated)
- Steering: early wear
- Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
- Shifter or park: the car rolling away
- Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
How the 2025 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 This year | 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 | Caution | 61 | 2.2× | 68.7 | 7 | Rearview camera: stopped working |
| 2017 | Avoid | 58 | 2.2× | 66.7 | 8 | Rearview camera: stopped working |
2025 Honda Ridgeline Recalls
Two recalls cover the 2025 Honda Ridgeline. The most recent was issued in May 2026: “Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 26V332000Recall 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 24V321000Recall 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.
2025 Honda Ridgeline NHTSA Investigations
NHTSA has opened one investigation that covers the 2025 Honda Ridgeline. It is still open.
Engines failing to restart after automatic idle stop
Still openNHTSA'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 EA25004Opening report (PDF)Open since Mar 26, 2025
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2025 Ridgeline ratings on NHTSA.gov.
Pickup crew cab AWD and pickup crew cab FWD
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2025 Ridgeline, from its two recalls and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash NHTSA 26V332000
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display NHTSA 24V321000
On the Test Drive
- Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
- Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
- Ask about battery and starter replacements. A slow start after the car sits is a warning sign.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Auto idle stop
- Headlights
- Brakes
- 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