Is the 2021 Honda Ridgeline reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Ridgeline?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Ridgeline have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

2021 Honda Ridgeline

● Typical for this model

2021 Honda Ridgeline
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:50:49.561Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 103
Recalls: 7
Investigations: 2
Top problem: Engine

Complaints per year

2021: 103 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2003	0
2004	0
2005	0
2006	242
2007	160
2008	143
2009	35
2010	42
2011	39
2012	24
2013	45
2014	34
2015	2
2017	346
2018	162
2019	237
2020	169
2021	103
2022	118
2023	131
2024	73
2025	103
2026	12

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

29% · 30 reports

Show complaint excerpts

With no warning engine started making a loud ticking noise and within a couple of days it was a loud knocking noise. Flashing check engine light came on and engine lost power.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-28

Engine seized Honda dealership found a hole in block. Estimated repair almost $13k for a used motor. Contacted American Honda and after several weeks they refused assistance. I was barely able to exit freeway.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-12

Forward collision avoidance

23% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing automatic emergency braking and warnings.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

When driving the vehicle suddenly displayed warning and failure lights for the following: Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Road Departure, High Beam Support, and Collision Mitigation.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-23

Also filed under Lane departure

My 2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport experienced failure of the forward-facing Honda Sensing camera system. This camera controls safety features including Collision Mitigation Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-14

Also filed under Electrical system

Electrical system

15% · 15 reports

Show complaint excerpts

Having an issue with my brand new 2021 Ridgeline. Audio when I'm hooked up with android auto or with bluetooth does this weird volume adjustment thing when standing still.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-04-05

Exterior lighting

14% · 14 reports

Power train

11% · 11 reports

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

2022-01-14Seat belts21V900000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2023-08-07Service brakes, hydraulic23V458000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2024-01-17Visibility23V174000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2024-02-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2024-08-05 Rear-View Camera Failure
R

2024-03-28Air bags24V064000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid,...

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2024-11-08Back over prevention24V321000 Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2025-03-26Engineering analysisOpen No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
R

2026-07-06Air bags26V332000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021...

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

Date not on fileStructure, suspension26V365000 American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,...

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2026.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2021 Honda Ridgeline — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Engine: 30 reports on file for this year.
Forward collision avoidance: 24 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 15 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 26V365000 · Structure, suspension
Recall 21V900000 · Seat belts
Recall 23V458000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 23V174000 · Visibility
Recall 24V064000 · Air bags
Recall 24V321000 · Back over prevention
Recall 26V332000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2021 Honda Ridgeline reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Ridgeline?: The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Ridgeline have?: 7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.

2021 Honda Ridgeline

Complaints per year

Known problem areas

Engine

Forward collision avoidance

Electrical system

Exterior lighting

Power train

Safety timeline

Buy-smart checklist

Inspect

Verify these recalls were completed

Other years of this model

▲Best years3 years

■Worst years3 years

FAQ

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years