2018 Honda Ridgeline Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2018 Ridgeline most often report a failed rearview camera traced to the wiring harness at the tailgate hinge, and difficulty refueling in freezing weather when water collects in the capless fuel filler. A smaller but recurring group of complaints describes engine or connecting-rod bearing failures at higher mileage, along with intermittent electrical oddities such as a self-sounding alarm and windows moving on their own.

1. 1
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Rearview camera failure from tailgate wiring harness

   • 69 complaints (43%)
   • median 43,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $626 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the backup camera going black or intermittent when reverse is selected, then failing entirely. Many say the cause is the wiring harness that runs from the body into the tailgate, which flexes each time the tailgate is dropped or swung open and eventually frays or breaks at the hinge area. Dealers reportedly replaced the harness, sometimes under warranty and sometimes at owner expense, and several owners note parts back orders; some complaints say the dealer could not explain the break or declined to cover it once out of warranty. Reported from roughly 7,000 to 64,000 miles, often on trucks used lightly and within the first few years of ownership.

   Recall 22V8670006 related service bulletins

   What to check: Shift into reverse and confirm a clear image, then open and close the tailgate both ways and check the harness at the hinge for chafed or exposed wires. Ask whether recall 22V867000 was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The wiring harness (Honda part #32109-t6z-aoo) between the lift gate and the truck bed for the backup camera is subject to premature failure. My 2018 Ridgeline backup camera quit, and when I did research on the Ridgeline blogs, I found this is a very common problem. The harness itself is surprisingly wimpy for a Honda product. I had mine replaced by my Honda dealer, but my guess is virtually every Ridgeline will experience this failure eventually. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11319870, filed 2020-03, 58,600 miles

   “Several of these models are having issues with the routine and design of the power supply and signal from the backup camera due to breaking of the wiring harness. My camera stopped working after opening the tailgate in below freezing weather. I noticed a broken wire in the harness. I checked the Honda Ridgeline forum and many owners are experiencing the same problem. I ordered the oem replacement part and it now is working. I trying to get Honda to refund my parts cost of $68.25. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11400366, filed 2021-03, 50,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel filler door freezes shut in cold weather

   • 12 complaints (7%)
   • median 800 mi at 0.3 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2017–2025

   Complaints describe water collecting behind the flaps of the capless fuel filler, which then freezes in sub-freezing temperatures and blocks the nozzle from going in, so the truck cannot be refueled. Some owners say it happens after rain or a car wash, and one describes a nozzle that would not release from the filler. Honda replaced the filler assembly in at least one case without resolving it, and other owners say they were told no repair applied. Reported at very low mileage, mostly under about 4,000 miles, in freezing or near-freezing conditions after rain or washing.

   What to check: Inspect the capless filler area for trapped water or debris and ask whether the filler assembly has been replaced. In cold climates, test that the door and inner flap open freely.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In freezing weather I am unable to refuel my 2018 Ridgeline because the fuel nozzle will not insert into the filler neck due to ice build up in the cap-less fuel shutter in the filler neck. I have contacted american Honda and my local authorized dealership for repairs. Honda has refused to make repairs on this vehicle. This occurs anytime there is moisture in the cap-less fuel filler apparently because the fuel door does not keep moisture and water out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11361168, filed 2020-09, 3 miles

   “Water gets in between the first and second flap of the capless fuel filler neck and freezes. This happens when it is raining and the temperature drops below freezing. If the temperature is above freezing the water just sits between the two flaps. I don't know when (stationary, in motion, turning etc) it is getting in there. It happens when it is raining.”

   NHTSA complaint #11072138, filed 2018-02, 1,600 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine loss of power and connecting rod bearing failure

   • 35 complaints (22%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • owner-quoted repair $2,274 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners report sudden loss of power or stalling while driving, sometimes with a clicking or knocking noise beforehand and sometimes with no warning at all. Dealers in several cases diagnosed connecting rod bearing wear or a failed rod and quoted engine replacement; one owner reports the engine seized after a clunk. Others describe brief power loss under acceleration with the warning light flashing, which a service bulletin addresses with a software update. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 125,000 miles, often at highway speed.

   10 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for oil change records and listen for a knock or tick on start-up and under load. Ask whether the torque converter and engine software bulletins have been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Truck only has 40,500 miles. Was driving down road and made a clunk noise and engine seized up and wouldn't start. There were no warning signs. I had it towed to Honda dealership. Their official repair estimate states verbatim Bearing on a connecting rod went bad and the rod snapped. The bill is $7800 for a remanufactured engine or $13500 for a new one. I had just had the vehicle's 40,000 mile inspection done at the same Honda Dealership 2 months prior, and no issues were found.”

   NHTSA complaint #11722952, filed 2026-03, 40,539 miles

   “As I was driving on the freeway, the vehicle lost power completely without any prior warning. All the lights on the dashboard were flashing. The vehicle could not be started again. I was stranded in the middle of the freeway at the very high risk of being rear ended given the relatively lighter traffic at 11pm in Los Angeles. It put other drivers on the freeway at very high risk of running into me as well. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where an inspection was conducted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11649842, filed 2025-03, 125,474 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump failure causing stall or no start

   • 16 complaints (10%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2025

   Owners describe losing motive power at speed, with the engine stalling and warning lights coming on, sometimes restarting only to stall again. Dealers diagnosed a failed fuel pump and replaced it. Several complaints also note that a fuel pump recall applied to their truck but that parts were not available, so the repair had not been made. Reported from about 60,000 to 102,000 miles, typically while driving at highway speed.

   Recall 23V858000Recall 19V053000

   What to check: Confirm with a dealer whether recall 23V858000 or 19V053000 was completed on the truck, and ask about any stall history or prior fuel pump replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2018 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The power steering seized, and the contact had to coast to the side of the road. After pulling over, the vehicle was restarted but almost immediately stalled again. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were displayed. The vehicle had been towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11489913, filed 2022-10, 60,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Honda Ridgeline. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with an engine misfire. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted but the failure recurred. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11603812, filed 2024-07, 102,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Alarm, key fob and battery drain problems

   • 10 complaints (6%)
   • median 11,400 mi at 2.6 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2025

   Complaints describe the security system sounding while the truck is parked, key fobs going dead and leaving owners locked out, and batteries draining while the vehicle sits. Some owners report warning lights and repeated alarm activity after a battery replacement or jump start, and one describes windows moving on their own and unintended braking. Dealers in some cases reset the electrical system or replaced control units. Reported from about 12,000 to 44,000 miles, often with no warning beforehand.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test both key fobs and the alarm, and ask whether the battery has been replaced or drained repeatedly. Check that all windows and the horn operate normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle alarm went off for no reason the keyless remotes stopped working locked out of vehicle backup manual key would not work researched issue on the internet many same vehicle owners had same problem”

   NHTSA complaint #11397199, filed 2021-02, 12,800 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, all four windows of the vehicle were rolling up and down independently. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle braked unintendedly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the electric system was reset; however, the horn engaged unintendedly while the vehicle was parked. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11514025, filed 2023-03, 22,000 miles

Buying note. Check the backup camera operation and the tailgate harness closely, and confirm which open recalls have actually been completed with parts installed rather than just noted. In cold climates, also verify the fuel filler opens and closes freely.

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.