5.0

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,153 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Honda Ridgeline electrical problems

electrical problem

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2017 Honda Ridgeline Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #63

Oct 022022

Ridgeline

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The wiring to the backup camera is failing because it is crimped between the tailgate and the body. Every time you open and close the tailgate the wire flexes wearing at the sheathing and flexing the wires within. I've seen multiple reports and videos of this harness and the wires within failing which causes a short and the backup camera to fall.

- Lemont, IL, USA

problem #62

May 152022

Ridgeline

  • miles
This 2017 Honda Ridgeline, at present, has 47430 miles of operation. I am the third owner having purchased on 12DEC2020 w/38990 miles. The instrument panel has been plagued by faulty warning symbols for most of my ownership. The problem now has grown to the point where I can't find any maintenance displays. Also, only one screen is visible showing operational information. I am not alone in this safety issue.

- Chambersburg, PA, USA

problem #61

May 252022

Ridgeline

  • miles
Backup Camera Stopped working. Wiring harness to tailgate is frayed.

- Melrose, MA, USA

problem #60

Apr 162022

Ridgeline

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My backup camera stopped working on April 16. I investigated and found the wiring harness is snapped at the tailgate. Upon a google search I realized this is a known issue and wanted to file my complaint to hopefully get this issue resolved.

- Harrisonburg , VA, USA

problem #59

Mar 022022

Ridgeline

  • miles
When reversing, I've had several instances over the past several years where the backup screen just went to black (Head unit displays black, with the guide marks.) i figured it was a software issue. However, when the back-up camera ceased working I googled the issue with "2017 Honda Ridge-line and backup camera" and found that severed wires at the tailgate left corner hinge area is a common issue. I found the harness broken at the pivot point of tailgate. (Left bottom corner of tailgate)Tailgate wiring exposed in hinge. Plastic cover has split/separated. I am a sixty-three year old female so I'm not using the tailgate/truck bed very much. I took it to the dealership (04/12/22); they told me they have not had any reported instances of this issue and then requested how I broke the harness! They quoted me a price to purchase/replace the harness; however, since this seems to be an issue across 2017 -2019 Ridge-lines with the wiring loom not having enough slack, combined with the 90? bend at the tailgate, allowing the thin metal edge of the tailgate to press directly against the wiring, especially when the tailgate is fully swung open. I believe Honda should replace the harness under a TSB.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

problem #58

Apr 072022

Ridgeline

  • miles
Rear camera not working. Defect in tailgate harness

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

problem #57

Oct 152021

Ridgeline

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

rear camera stopped working.. cannot back up as safe as when camera worked dealer confirmed problem no other inspection no warning prior to failure October 2021

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #56

Mar 242022

Ridgeline

  • miles
Tailgate backup camera harness failed. Wires severed.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #55

Mar 232022

Ridgeline

  • miles
Rear back up camera is failing, camera view is going in and out. Upon inspection of the rear tailgate it is clear the wiring going from the main body of the truck to the tailgate is exposed from the plastic casing and some of the wires are breaking themselves causing the malfunction. This truck only has ~43k miles on it and the tailgate gets used semi-frequently, by no means is it used excessively. It is ridiculous that such an important piece of safety equipment would not be better made to withstand the normal wear and tear of use and fail at such low mileage. This failure has caused a massive blind spot when reversing and could put pedestrians or other vehicles in harms way. No I have not taken this into the manufacturer nor has it been confirmed by the dealer. No warning lights have gone off, the only way to know there is something wrong is when in reverse the backup screen is black with no video.

- Germantown, TN, USA

problem #54

Jan 232022

Ridgeline

  • miles
Power train PCM failure caused gauge cluster to become unresponsive. While the truck was idling while connecting a trailer the gauge cluster went blank. I then attempted to shut down and restart the truck and it would not start leaving me stranded. While I did eventually get it started by replacing several fuses once it was running it had no turn signals and had an error message for the emissions system. Ended up taking to dealership and was told the PCM had failed. Truck was 49 months old and had 45k miles.

- Southampton, NJ, USA

problem #53

Mar 022022

Ridgeline

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After arriving home and turning off the vehicle, there was a lot of flickering of the lights and clicking noises in the engine. The dash displayed all emergency startup lights and performed the following message on the dash, "Keyless Start System Error." I took it to the dealer who ran a diagnostic, and provided me the diagnostic paperwork showing 4 codes in the Security, Power Control Unit, Mode Menu, Lighting, Keyless Transmitter, Gauges, and door locks. The dealer confirmed that this was in no relation to the recent recall of the Ridgeline Keyless Start System Error with DTC B12C5 and that the Keyless System Main Control Unit failed, part number 38320-T6Z-A21. I had to replace the unit and am now out of pocket quite a bit of money. I have reported the issue to Honda directly and hoping a refund will be provided. I am the original owner of this 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTS 2WD model and have only 34, 358 miles on it. Never had I experienced any electrical issues and furthermore I shouldn't have them for a five year old truck with less than 35k on it. I was lucky that I was not driving, or it could have been worse possibly. The dealer kept the defective component and was able to identify the issue and repair it quickly. No other issues had ever occurred on this truck and this was random.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #52

Feb 222022

Ridgeline

  • miles
2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E, keyless entry module wasn't working properly so I had to buy a new one. I was told about the issue when I took my Honda Ridgeline to the Honda dealership for my oil change.The entry control module is currently ordered but we don't know when it will come in. I also informed the service manager about my on/off switch not operating correctly. He informed me that it was on recall so it will repaired for free. I don't know why the keyless entry module wasn't repaired for free since I bought the used 2017 Honda Ridgeline with Honda's extended warranty. Currently I have no vehicle to use because Honda informed me that they don't currently have any because of the pandemic, currently no vehicles in their lot are able to loan to customers.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #51

Nov 012020

Ridgeline

  • miles
1. Reverse camera not operating because of wire harness conductor breakage at tailgate hinge point. 2. Reduced vision and blind spots when backing up. If this isn't a safety concern, what is" System stopped working at 3-years, 40K miles. Dealer told me issue not covered under warranty, wanted $700 for a repair of Honda's inferior harness design. Aside from the poor flex loop design, the quality of the conductors are insufficient for use in a flex application. My opinion is based on 31 years of designing robot wire harness's in high flex applications. I spent four hours splicing the harness back together, all the conductors in the harness were broken. 3. I exchanged several emails with service manager; I'll dig them out of backup data storage if needed. Service manager told me the Honda people he talked too did not see it as a warranty safety issue; $700. Once again I have to ask, how can not having a complete view of the rear of the truck when in reverse not be a safety issue" The camera is a mandated safety item. 4. Failure began with a few days of intermittent operation before complete failure. I'll note that my truck tailgate gets very light use. The harness design is inferior by any engineering failure mood analysis. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF RIDGELINE TRUCKS ON THE ROAD WITH THIS ISSUE. 5. As I mentioned, I've made a temporary splice repair. I've managed to restore rear image although the screen quality is not what it should be. 6. I've owned Honda's for years and have had to deal with other issues Honda does not want to admit is their responsibility, and will secretly do extended coverage because they know it should be covered. Driving without the camera makes my wife and I very nervous. 7. In summary all owners of second generation Ridgeline's should be entitled to a replacement redesigned rear camera harness for SAFETY REASONS before a child, adult, or bike rider are killed or injured.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #50

Jan 032022

Ridgeline

  • miles
Rear back up camera failed, due to tailgate wiring harness frayed due to normal use. Happened at about 45,000 miles.

- Issaquah, WA, USA

problem #49

Jan 042020

Ridgeline

  • miles
The wiring to the backup camera on my 2017 Honda Ridgeline is a poor design. It bends too tightly and every time the two-way tailgate is opened or closed it work hardens the small gauge wiring until it breaks. Of course this happened just after the warranty expired. When checking with Miller Honda in Winchester, VA they told me they had never heard of this. If you go onto the Honda Ridgeline website this same problem is mentioned several times. I made a temporary repair to get it working again but it is unknown how long this will last.

- Keyser, WV, USA

problem #48

Oct 012021

Ridgeline

  • miles
My rear backup camera failed due to the wear on the wiring harness at the point where the two-way tailgate opens. This seems to be a common failure and my case was typical. My vehicle was out of warranty, and so I performed the repair myself, and improved the shielding at the pinch point.

- New London, WI, USA

problem #47

Sep 152021

Ridgeline

  • miles
Backup Camera not working and wiring harness near tailgate is broken. In reading other reviews this is a common safety problem on the 2017 Ridgeline.

- Brookfield, CT, USA

problem #46

Dec 082021

Ridgeline

  • 50,000 miles
The contact's wife owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that the AWD and battery fan warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on his wife's vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V888000 (Electrical System) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Brewster, MA, USA

problem #45

Oct 252021

Ridgeline

  • miles
The alarm system goes off at random times throughout the day, headlights stay on after the alarm activates, interior dash warning lights flicker and voltage fluctuates with sound. Happens if Key Fob is in my pocket or not. Events started in Oct 2019 and continued until Sep2020, when I unplugged the hood alarm activation switch. This disabled the alarm from going off at random times but didn't stop the dash warning lights from flickering and voltage fluctuating sounds. As of OCT 2021, now a slew of dash warning lights from "trailer assist, uphill assistant, lane assistant" plus many more have taken over my dash. At random times the brake assist will activate and cause my truck to temporarily lock up, then go back to normal. It appears to happen to be worse after heavy rains.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #44

Jul 202021

Ridgeline

  • miles
The wiring for the backup camera broke at a hinge point for the tailgate. The repeated opening and closing of the tailgate in normal operations caused the wire to fatigue and break.

- Denver, NC, USA

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