AI Damage2012 Honda Ridgeline: common problems
Owners of the 2012 Honda Ridgeline filed 24 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and structure. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 24
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 58% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 17% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 4% of all complaints
- 5 Electronic stability control 4% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 4% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 4% of all complaints
- Air bags: 14 complaints (58% of all).
- Structure: 4 complaints (17% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (8% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (4% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 1 complaints (4% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 24 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Because of well known water intrusion into the cabin from the firewall, over time the seat risers rust away, and then the compromised metal breaks, at which point the front of the seat is no longer bolted into the floor board. The seat swings backward uncommanded, and may is likely to startle driver, and cause crash.
1. Left Rear Cam Bolt Seized, YES 2. This will not allow for any movement to have tires probably aligned. 3. Yes, I have documentation available upon request 4. No 5.
After returning from a short trip to the local convenience store smoke was observed coming from under the hood and also into the cabin as the truck was entering the driveway. Driver immediately opened the hood and witnessed that the engine was smoking and on fire.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V430000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the issue.
Roof Garnish Molding itâs pop ups two times and i change everything new but my concern is when i drive in the highway or interstate that part can blow off to the air and can cause an accident. Last time I went to the dealership was 07/01/2022. Thatâs my concern. Thank you.
Abs and vsa lights come on intermittant at which time the vehicle cannot be shifted out of park. Pumping the brake allows shift but lights stay on, then sometimes just flash off and stability control and abs resume operation. Can be dangerous on a sudden stop or high speed turn.
Third brake light panel (above rear window) blew off at 75 mph. In checking online, this has happened to many other ridgeline trucks.
2012 honda ridgeline sport. Consumer writes requesting a status update on drivers front airbag inflator recall. The consumer stated a reasnable amount of time had exceeded for the recall to be completed. The consumer would like an update.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,585 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Ridgeline has 106 complaints (21 years in the data). This year has 24, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
- Ridgeline 2006243 sources
- Ridgeline 2007160 sources
- Ridgeline 2008143 sources
- Ridgeline 200935 sources
- Ridgeline 201042 sources
- Ridgeline 201139 sources
- Ridgeline 201345 sources
- Ridgeline 201434 sources
- Ridgeline 201611 sources
- Ridgeline 2017457 sources
- Ridgeline 2018221 sources
- Ridgeline 2019310 sources
- Ridgeline 2020246 sources
- Ridgeline 2021188 sources
- Ridgeline 2022190 sources
- Ridgeline 2023198 sources
- Ridgeline 202496 sources
- Ridgeline 2025124 sources
- Ridgeline 202615 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Ridgeline?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, structure, steering. Total complaints: 24. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (8%), rust, corrosion (4%), seat belts (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2012 Honda Ridgeline?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2012 Honda Ridgeline from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2012 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.