2017 Honda Ridgeline Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a backup camera that quits working after the wiring in the tailgate wears through, and a cluster of warning lights that can put the truck into a reduced-power mode. Engine complaints gathered around noises that some owners say came from lower-end bearing damage, while fuel injector and fuel-filler icing reports round out the picture.

1. 1
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Backup camera dead from tailgate wiring wear

   • 77 complaints (22%)
   • median 42,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $549 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2023

   Complaints describe the rear-view camera suddenly going black, often noticed when backing out of a parking space. Owners who looked found the harness where it bends at the tailgate hinge pinched, bare, or cut through, and some report the wires being exposed when the gate is open. Several say the dealer replaced the harness, in a few cases more than once, and others report being told the part was back-ordered under a recall notice. A number mention the same failure on trucks they had owned only a few years, and one says a repair ran several hundred dollars. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 90,000 miles, sometimes after only a year or two of tailgate use, with a few instances noted in very cold weather.

   Recall 22V8670006 related service bulletins

   What to check: Put the truck in reverse with the gate closed and open, and confirm a live image with no flicker; inspect the harness at the lower tailgate hinge for chafing or exposed wire. Ask whether recall 22V867000 was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The back up camera has ceased working due to the wiring harness being cut and crimped in the tailgate assembly. It appears to be a example of a poor design that could be a safety issue. The constant opening and closing of the gate and the choice of poor materials does not protect the wiring. I noticed it when attempting to leave a parking lot. Through my research it is a common occurrence on these models.”

   NHTSA complaint #11415248, filed 2021-05, 40,512 miles

   “My back-up camera suddenly stopped working. I did an internet search to see if there was something I could do to reset the camera. Multiple posts indicated that the problem was with a pinched cable at the hinge of the tailgate that severs the wires. I looked where the problem was described and found the cable pinched and severed. When I brought the car to the dealership, the service rep was not surprised and told me that once it was fixed, I would never have an issue with the cable again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11373525, filed 2020-11, 52,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine knock and lower-end bearing noise

   • 63 complaints (18%)
   • median 97,248 mi at 8.3 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $9,000 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe a ticking or knocking sound from the engine compartment that in some cases ended with the truck losing power or stopping entirely. According to complaints, mechanics and dealers diagnosed failed connecting rods or rod bearings and recommended engine replacement, with metal found in the oil in one report. Several owners say they were told their vehicle was not covered by the connecting-rod-bearing recall, and some report no assistance from the manufacturer. Most reports fall between about 44,000 and 152,000 miles, generally on higher-mileage trucks.

   Recall 23V7510004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for ticking or knocking at cold start and on light acceleration, and check the oil and its service history. Ask whether the truck's VIN falls under recall 23V751000 and whether any related work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My engine started to have a clicking or a ticking sound, and then abruptly stop running. The dealer said that the engine is seized up. From what I have read, it sounds like the connecting rod problem that other 2017 models have had. I think that my engine needs to also be on the recall. Honda has offered NO help with this, what-so-ever, even though I think they know there is a manufacturing defect.”

   NHTSA complaint #11638750, filed 2025-01, 116,399 miles

   “I started getting a p0306 code on my truck on Thursday Jan 2, 2025. I took it to my mechanic and he said that it is a lower engine problem. On Saturday Jan 11,2025 there was a loud clunk from the engine and the vehicle lost power. My mechanic said that the connector rod broke. I contacted Honda but they said my vin is not in the recall and I would have to deal with the dealership. I know that they won't do anything so I am in the process of trying to install a used engine myself.”

   NHTSA complaint #11639098, filed 2025-01, 122,255 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Multiple warning lights and reduced-power mode

   • 52 complaints (15%)
   • median 61,908 mi at 3.8 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,800 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe a group of warnings appearing together - vehicle stability assist, emissions system, all-wheel drive, power steering, hill start assist, trailer stability - sometimes along with a keyless-start or security-system message. Owners say the truck then limits acceleration or shifts harshly, and that the lights can clear on restart before returning. Dealers are reported to have found a failed alternator in one case and a bad camshaft sensor in others; several owners say they were told the behavior was normal or could not be reproduced. Spread from roughly 17,000 to 95,000 miles, and in some complaints happening intermittently over months.

   Recall 16V8880003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the truck and watch for warning lights that stay on after the bulb check, and ask for any stored codes to be read. Ask whether the battery and charging system have been tested and whether the security-system bulletin was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our 2017 Honda Ridgeline has had an electrical problem ever since we bought it in 2018. The engine light goes on when driving, all systems blink especially the emissions light and warnings. The horn honks until I click the unlock button and then it honks again. When we took it in to Honda service and it was not blinking and they said it had to have the blinking going off to know the problem and to bring it back. We took it somewhere else and they said the injector 2 was bad.”

   NHTSA complaint #11385073, filed 2020-12, 17,000 miles

   “2 weeks ago multiple warning lights came on when I started the vehicle (power steering, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, trailer stability assist, emission control, etc.). At the same time the vehicle's performance became sluggish. Acceleration, shifting and braking were all effected. The next day the lights were off, only to reappear with all issues the day after. I disconnected the battery to 'reset', and that worked for 1 day. I then replaced the battery with the same result. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11385136, filed 2020-12, 64,500 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel injector failure and emissions light

   • 52 complaints (15%)
   • median 42,349 mi at 2.6 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,610 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the emissions-system light coming on, sometimes after a slight RPM fluctuation while holding a steady speed, and the truck later hesitating or running poorly. Owners say dealers diagnosed failed fuel injectors and quoted full injector replacement, with one shop reportedly saying the problem was well known and that the replacement parts had been redesigned. A few owners report the manufacturer declined assistance once the truck was past its mileage warranty. Reported from about 36,000 to 126,000 miles, with several cases near 50,000 to 60,000 miles.

   Recall 23V858000Recall 19V0530002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check whether the emissions light is on or was recently cleared, and ask for service records showing injector replacement. Ask about the fuel-pump recalls for this model year and whether they were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Emission system problem light came on at about 50,500 miles. Took it to the Honda dealership I purchased the truck from and they told me it was the fuel injectors. The only thing I noticed before the light came on was the RPM would 'bounce' slightly while at around 35 MPH and around 47mph. It would occur while maintaining the speed or going up any incline, but would stop if I accelerated and maintained a higher speed”

   NHTSA complaint #11318087, filed 2020-03, 50,500 miles

   “Vehicle displace emissions system issue light. Took vehicle to dealership service and was told the entire fuel tank needed to be replaced - advised by both dealership and insurance adjuster that this has become common in the last three years since a change in manufacturing and the use of a different kind of plastic in the tank. The service associate at the dealer then showed an entire dumpster filled with replaced fuel tanks.”

   NHTSA complaint #11324944, filed 2020-05, 34,699 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder and harsh shifting

   • 45 complaints (13%)
   • median 51,500 mi at 3.5 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $9,750 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe shuddering between second and third gear, jerking when slowing to a stop, and delayed or slipping shifts. Complaints say dealers applied a computer reflash or software update and, in some cases, a transmission fluid service, but several report the symptoms returned after the update. Typically reported from about 40,000 to 80,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive at light throttle through the 2-3 shift and coast to a stop to feel for shudder or clunking, and ask whether the torque-converter or transmission software updates were applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am experiencing transmission shudder between 2nd to 3rd gear. When slowing to a stop the vehicle makes a jerking motion. I took my vehicle into the dealership to have computer flash done that would stop the transmission shudder. The problem is not fixed and I'm not sure what to do from here. My 2006 5 speed Ridgeline shifts flawlessly with over 250k miles not so much the 2017 6 speed with 44k. Honda makes good engines but not transmissions.”

   NHTSA complaint #11322608, filed 2020-04, 41,000 miles

   “Car surges on take off and at highway speeds. Start/stop button gives reading code of smart entry start problem. Vehicle does this upon starting vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11349913, filed 2020-08, 43,000 miles

Buying note. Check the backup camera and tailgate harness first, since it is the most frequently described problem and simple to test, then confirm which recalls were completed for the VIN. A test drive that includes the 2-3 shift and a cold start, plus a look at oil and emissions service records, covers most of what owners report.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.