2021 Honda Ridgeline problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 101 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline, filed between 2021-04-05 and 2026-09-09. The most common problem areas are the engine (28, 28%), electrical system (15, 15%) and forward collision avoidance (15, 15%). Owners reported 3 crashes and 2 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2021 Honda Ridgeline complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 28 | 28% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 15 | 15% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 15 | 15% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 14 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown or other | 14 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power train | 11 | 11% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Back over prevention | 4 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 4 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 3% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 3% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 28 complaints
- 28 complaints of 101 (28%) name the engine.
- 9 of them also name the power train; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline covers this system.
Electrical system: 15 complaints
- 15 complaints of 101 (15%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 5 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline covers this system.
Forward collision avoidance: 15 complaints
- 15 complaints of 101 (15%) name the forward collision avoidance — forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
- 4 of them also name the lane departure; owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline covers this system.
Exterior lighting: 14 complaints
- 14 complaints of 101 (14%) name the exterior lighting — headlights, tail and brake lights and turn signals.
- None of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline covers this system.
Power train: 11 complaints
- 11 complaints of 101 (11%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 9 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline covers this system.
Fuel/propulsion system: 6 complaints
- 6 complaints of 101 (6%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- 4 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 27 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 14 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names RIDGELINE, model year 2021. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2021 Honda Ridgeline recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Ridgeline?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline's most common problem areas are the engine (28 of 101 complaints), electrical system (15 of 101 complaints) and forward collision avoidance (15 of 101 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2021 Honda Ridgeline have?
NHTSA has 101 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline, including 3 reported crashes.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline's problems?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline; 0 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.