AI Damage2019 Honda Ridgeline: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Honda Ridgeline filed 237 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and engine. The maker issued 72 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 237
- involving a crash
- 8
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 72
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 16% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 16% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 15% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 9% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 5% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 39 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
- Engine: 37 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Powertrain: 36 complaints (15% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Electrical system: 35 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 35 complaints (15% 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, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 237 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 39 | 0 | 15 |
| Engine | 37 | 0 | 7 |
| Powertrain | 36 | 2 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 35 | 0 | 9 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 35 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 22 | 0 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 14 | 5 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 8 | 0 | 20 |
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 13 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 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.
This seems to be when the braking system finally responded as I started to slow down some, as it bounced and jerked across the remaining lanes, leaving skid marks on that part of the road.
During the crash, the front driver seat belt pretensioner failed and did not secure the driver causing the driver to slide down the seat during impact. The driver sustained an injured left arm and injured upper torso which required medical treatment.
The big yellow light comes on the dash with the words "brake", truck comes to a complete halt, I was slightly jerked forward, the truck was at a complete stop, 1/2 in 1/2 out or parking spot, diagonally, my hands on the wheel, I then just lightly touched the gas petal to move forward and park, but the truck resumed to…
Driving at about 55 mph, my 2019 honda ridgeline's airbags didn't deploy when I hit a 2015 ford focus that failed to yield the right of way and cut infront of me. Honda sensing's collision mitigation braking system and forward collision warning failed to alert me and failed to stop my vehicle either.
A sudden unintended acceleration resulted in a crash 1-08-2020 at 6:55 am. This occurred while pulling into a parking space. While breaking the vehicle head lights went out, engine rpm suddenly increased dramatically causing vehicle to strike light pole, which fell to the side of vehicle.
There was a slight engine knocking/tapping noise prior to the engine failure but no warning lights or messages of any kind alerting me to any sort of problem. I immediately had the truck towed to Price Honda in Dover, Delaware where I have been servicing it for the past 4 or 5 years.
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number Associated: 22V430000 (Honda Codes AOU/AOT) My 2019 Honda Ridgeline is registered in Maine (a designated salt-belt state) and has a completely rusted-through rear subframe.
While the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine and emissions warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with fuel injector failures.
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 267 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Ridgeline has 130 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 237, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2019 Ridgelines with a customer complaint of the rearview camera inoperable. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you…
- Service Bulletin - One or more accessory running board lights are flickering or not working due to a…
Service Bulletin - One or more accessory running board lights are flickering or not working due to a faulty running board light assembly.
- Service Bulletin - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications
As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the…
- Service Bulletin - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications
As a result, the lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator…
- Dealer Message - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications
As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the MIL not…
- Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear…
Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor connector area that corrodes the terminals.
- Service 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 in regions with cold weather (specifically near or below freezing temperatures). Usually after a long drive (around…
- Service 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 common in regions with cold weather (specifically near or below freezing temperatures). Usually after a long drive (around…
- Service Bulletin - The A/C does not blow cold air, and the lower corner of the condenser around the…
Service Bulletin - The A/C does not blow cold air, and the lower corner of the condenser around the receiver/dryer cap is stained due to a poor O-ring compression against the receiver/dryer barrel wall.
- Service NewsDue to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American…
Service 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 Diagnostic monitors are now included in the…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2023 Passports, 2016-2022 Pilots, & 2017-2023 Ridgelines with a customer complaint of the front passengerâs power window inop from either the driverâs window switch, front…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2023 Passports, 2016-2022 Pilots, & 2017-2023 Ridgelines with a customer complaint of the passengerâs power window inop from driverâs master window switch. Customer may also…
NHTSA lists 72 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Honda Ridgeline?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, engine, powertrain. Total complaints: 237. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (16%), fuel system, fuel smell (10%), rear-view camera (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Honda Ridgeline?
NHTSA lists 72 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 2019 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 2019 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 2026-11-04.