2021 Honda Ridgeline Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 28%of 102 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,900miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Honda Ridgeline, 28% of the 102 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,900 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Engine began knocking from the bottom end at 53k miles. It was determined that a connecting rod bearing had failed and Honda is replacing my engine under warranty. No cost was incurred to me but I am adding my complaint because my VIN is not included in the recall for this exact problem in other years close to mine and the recall my need to be expanded to a wider range of VINs.”
NHTSA complaint #11682881, filed 2025-08“The check engine light came on Dec 26 which I took to have checked and was told that it should go to the shop. The code was not being stored. I took it to the Honda dealership and they did a complete check and said the engine had gone back. The connecting rods and barrings cause the engine to fail and it needed to be replaced. I contacted Honda Goodwill and they declined to do anything to help repair the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #11717426, filed 2026-02“My car is equipe with a idle stop start assitant and in 3 ocasions did not restar the vehicle after stoping on a red light, I have to put the car in parking and then try to re-start the vehicle triying 1 or 2 time until starts up.”
NHTSA complaint #11622518, filed 2024-10“2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport with 60,000 miles and no other issues. Engine failed to restart after the auto stop/start kicked in, all the lights on the dashboard went off and then turned off. After 1 minute, I was able to get the car started again, this happened on 3 different occasions over a 4 week period. Got the car tested and the starter was bad. Contacted Honda, they said too bad, no issues with the starter. I got the starter replaced for $800 and now NHTSA is investigating the issue Honda said was not an issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11653050, filed 2025-04“When driving at 70mph for a couple of hours and exiting the freeway, the truck will go into limp mode and won’t accelerate. This only happens when it’s very cold, less than 10 degrees Fahrenheit both times it happened to me. The engine service light will start to flash. You need to park and restart in order to clear the issue. The last time it happened, I needed to merge onto a busy freeway with very little room to pull over. It was quite dangerous for my family and I. …”
NHTSA complaint #11498322, filed 2022-12Related service bulletins
- 11020578Jul 7, 2025Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or…
- 11005272Jul 20, 2024Service Bulletin - MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more common…
- 11002716Jun 19, 2024Service Bulletin - The MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more…
- 11000142May 1, 2024Service NewsDue to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) On-Board…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 9% |
| 2025 | 26 | 25% |
| 2024 | 21 | 29% |
| 2023 | 22 | 17% |
| 2022 | 25 | 21% |
| 2021 | 29 | 28% |
| 2020 | 38 | 22% |
| 2019 | 38 | 16% |
| 2018 | 22 | 14% |
| 2017 | 87 | 25% |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% |
| 2013 | 2 | 4% |
| 2012 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 5 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 11 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2021 Honda Ridgeline
15 complaintsForward collision avoidance
15 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
4 complaintsLane departure
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology