YearToAvoid

2021 Honda Ridgeline Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2021 Honda Ridgeline has a complaint index of 61 and ranks 8th worst out of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 101 complaints, 7 recall campaigns, 3 crashes, and 2 injuries, with Engine as the top problem area at 34 complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
61/100
#8 of 19 Ridgeline years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
101
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
7
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2014
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21
18 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2021 Honda Ridgeline problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine34 (34%)
  2. Electrical System29 (29%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras19 (19%)
  4. Other14 (14%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain11 (11%)
  6. Fuel System6 (6%)
  7. Structure & Body6 (6%)
  8. Lane Departure4 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (4%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers4 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Automatic high-beam headlights turn on and off erratically, reacting to road signs and mile markers instead of oncoming traffic.
  • Collision Mitigation Braking System triggers false warnings and applies brakes with no obstacle actually present.
  • On steep hills, the software shifts into neutral and shuts off the engine when the truck rolls backward, leaving owners with reduced steering and braking.
  • Lane Keeping Assistance causes the truck to swerve and drift into adjacent lanes while engaged.
  • Adaptive Cruise Control applies brakes abruptly and erratically, prompting following vehicles to brake hard to avoid a rear collision.
  • Infotainment audio volume fluctuates unexpectedly when paired with Android Auto or Bluetooth while the truck is stationary.
2021 Honda Ridgeline complaints: complaints filed per month6Apr 2021Dec 2021Jun 2022Nov 2023Jul 2024Jan 2025Aug 2025Apr 2026
101 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2022 (6).

2021 Honda Ridgeline recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V365000Jun 4, 2026Structure & Body880,514 vehicles

    Structure:frame and members

    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, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

    Risk: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    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. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

    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 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

    Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

    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. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

  3. NHTSA 24V321000May 9, 2024Collision Avoidance & Cameras187,290 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    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.

    Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

See all 7 recalls for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline →

2021 Honda Ridgeline fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,100
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Ridgeline years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid892371121.5
2020Caution72169821.5
2021Caution61101721
2022Caution67117321
2023Avoid78127521

All Honda Ridgeline years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Honda Ridgeline reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2021 Ridgeline a complaint index of 61 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 19 model years of the Ridgeline. It is not the worst year, but it trails several other model years with fewer reported problems.
What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Honda Ridgeline?
Engine complaints are the largest category, with 34 complaints (34% of the total) and a median failure mileage of 36,000 miles. Electrical System issues follow closely with 29 complaints, mostly reported very early, around 725 miles median.
Does the 2021 Honda Ridgeline have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns tied to the 2021 Ridgeline, covering brakes, seat belts, side-view mirrors, airbags, structure, and the rearview camera wire harness. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2021 Ridgeline compare to other Ridgeline years?
With a complaint index of 61, the 2021 model is safer than the worst years like 2017 (83), 2019 (89), 2023 (78), and 2025 (94), all rated Avoid, but it still scores higher than years like 2013, 2014, and several others rated Good or Best.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.