The 2025 Honda Ridgeline showcases a commendable reliability profile, yet the recall related to the back over prevention system raises notable concerns about visibility during reversing. Coupled with complaints regarding brake pedal issues, both drivers and prospective buyers should approach with cautious optimism.
Key Factor:Rear visibility risks
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Safety Alert
Safety Alert: This model has a higher recall frequency (1) than the average HONDA vehicle (0.3). Owners should prioritize checking these components.
1 recall for this vehicle0.3 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
πWhy This Matters
The recall concerning the rearview camera's tailgate wire harness highlights a significant safety concern, as it directly impacts the driver's ability to see obstacles behind the vehicle. Given that the Ridgeline occupies a segment where utility and safety are paramount, such defects can undermine trust in Hondaβs engineering reputation. Moreover, the variety of complaints suggests potential quality control issues that must be addressed to align with customer expectations for a vehicle in this class.
Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis
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Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
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Primary Risk Area:Warning
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Vs Brand: Worse than avg (0.3)
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Summary: Overall, the 2025 Honda Ridgeline exhibits some challenges in its safety narrative, particularly given this modelβs historical commitment to reliability and innovation. While it remains competitive within its segment, increased scrutiny surrounding these defects may tarnish Honda's legacy if unresolved.
Safety & Reliability Score
90/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-8
Complaint Impact-1.7
Investigation Impact-0
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2025 HONDA Ridgeline
Model Year2025
MakeHONDA
ModelRidgeline
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
May24
ISSUEFirst Report
Sep24
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan25
NEWProduction
Consumer Complaint Analysis
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Most Reported Issue
11 complaints (32% of total)
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Complaint Trend
Stable
No trend data
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Safety Incidents
No critical incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 34 consumer complaints by severity level.
π High
1(3%)
π‘Medium
7(21%)
π’Low
26(76%)
Mileage Failure Analysis
βοΈEngineering Insight
Given the peak failure range of 0-20k miles, current owners should be particularly vigilant during initial ownership phases; problems like those reported can manifest early on and disrupt the driving experience. Itβs critical for owners to track any irregularities before exceeding this mileage threshold.
π Mileage data extracted from 6 of 34 complaints (18% coverage)
0-20k
5 reports (83%)
20k-40k
1 reports (17%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.
π οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
BACK OVER PREVENTION
π―Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Rearview Camera System
Issue: Potential failure of rearview camera display due to wire harness fatigue.
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Inspect rearview camera functionality regularly and report any failures immediately.
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Verify functionality of rearview camera during test drive and inspect service history for any related repairs.
Campaign:21V123
π‘Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your HONDA dealer to verify recall completion status.
Official Safety Recalls (1)
Campaign: 24V321000
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Investigations
0 investigations
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No active investigations for this vehicle.
Consumer Complaints
34 total complaints
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2025 Ridgeline.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Warning32%
Smoke6%
Accident6%
Engine/Powertrainβ οΈ High
ENGINE
New 2025 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition with under 4k miles on it. Driving one day (10/30/25), smoke started to bellow out from the sides. Nothing on the dashboard indicated a problem. Everyone jumped out and was safe from injury. The truck went up in flames and literally blew up. We have a video of the incident. The truck was a complete loss, and it was difficult to deal with Honda, so we decided settle with the insurance company. Honda after a while stopped taking my calls and would put me on hold indefinitely if I call in. They were given permission to inspect the vehicle from the insurance agency but to my knowledge have not.
Electricalπ΅ Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Auto high beams constantly tun on and off due to reflections from road signs. Other times when cars are coming at you, and they should turn off, they stay on blinding the oncoming drivers.
Electricalπ΅ Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Automatic high beams will not work. A safety hazard. A multitude of owners say they are worthless, to give up and use the manual dim/bright feature. Those few who say theirs work say the system is overly sensitive - turning on or off the high beams at random times. Sometimes blinding other drivers, other times not providing enough light when needed. Multiple owners said they have submitted complaint to NHTSA with no assistance, to date.
Brakesπ΅ Low
SERVICE BRAKES
My vehicle has 10,800 miles on it, and it is 1 year old. About 1 month ago, the brakes started feeling spongy, and I also noticed a delay in the brake pad returning to its initial position after it had been depressed. I am concerned that this 1-year-old vehicle has already started having issues with the brakes. This is an ongoing issue.
Electricalπ΅ Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Automatic high beam function: Does not work properly, most road signs turn the high beams off, sometimes the high beams turn back on when another car is approaching. They don't activate at all until you speed reaches 45 mph. This is the same issue I experienced with my 2021 Ridgeline. The only difference is that on the 2021 model the function activated at 35 mph. This feature is basically useless and Honda should not be permitted to advertise this feature until corrected on all affected years.
Otherπ΅ Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Idle stop feature fails to restart. Could possibly leave stranded. The vehicle is new 2025 with less than 15k miles. Auto start feature worked fine for about 10k miles and then started struggling to restart over several weeks. Turned off the idle stop feature. Then took to a parking lot and tested until I got a failure. Very dangerous feature, poorly designed by Honda. I see online that others are reporting the same issue in previous year models. No warning or service lights to indicate a problem or impending problem. I'll be taking to dealer this week for assessment.
Engine/Powertrainπ΅ Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Multiple instances of emission system warning/stop start failure warning alerts.Warning lights will randomly go off then back on. Replaced sensor and it failed within a month. Truck has under 21000 miles.
Safety SystemsπΆ Medium
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
This is design feedback. When taking curves to the right on 2 lane highways and especially when the oncoming is a truck, and the forward collision warning set on short, the system experiences a spurious event: BRAKE warning and wheel shake. Lane departure is off. Both vehicles in their lanes. Suggest Honda use right curve inputs (camera right curve view) to reduce the radar scan field to avoid these spurious alarms. I've not had this experience with numerous other vehicles by different manufacturers. On a right curve the radar is looking at the oncoming lane. This should be analyzed and corrected.
Electricalπ΅ Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The auto dimming feature for the headlights is ineffective & dangerous. It goes off & on constantly without oncoming vehicles or headlights & also the bright headlights remain on at times with on coming headlights. This happens with ALL sensitivity setting. The delayed turning off even causes drivers in the other direction to flash their high beams headlights back or even turn their high beams on and leave them on. There is no way to manually dim them when this happens & it happens all the time. Honda appears to ignore this known issue! No adjustments or bulletins on this issue.
While driving with the Adaptive Cruise Control and the Road Departure Mitigation System engaged, then fails and disengages. The warning system indicates a problem that should be reported to the Dealer. This has happened on multiple occasions and was repaired by the dealer when the car had 254 miles by replacing the tailgate upper wiring harness and the Brake/Cruise Control switch. The part number replaced was 36750-TY0-J11 35350 SW. Since that repair, the problem has resurfaced at 4385 miles multiple times. After stopping and restarting the car multiple times, the systems apparently resets itself, but the problem reoccurs multiple times after that. I have no confidence that the system is consistently reliable. The problem initially occurred on Jan 17 2025 and again Sept 19, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What safety features does the 2025 Honda Ridgeline offer?
The 2025 Honda Ridgeline is equipped with advanced safety features including adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, lane keeping assist, and a back over prevention system designed to enhance visibility while reversing. However, recent recalls indicate that some systems may require closer inspection to ensure full functionality.
How reliable is the brake system on the 2025 Honda Ridgeline?
While Honda vehicles traditionally enjoy a reputation for robust engineering, recent Technical Service Bulletins indicate potential issues with brake pedal responsiveness in certain models. Owners should remain vigilant regarding these reports and consult their dealership if they experience any abnormalities.
πYear-over-Year Context
β‘οΈStable Pattern
Compared to earlier years, the 2025 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.
π§What This Means for You
Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
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If You Own This Vehicle
Verify all 1 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your HONDA dealer.
Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
Proactive tip: Enroll in HONDA's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used
Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
This specific Ridgeline year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.