These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Honda Ridgeline engine problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 19 engine complaints filed for the 2006 Honda Ridgeline, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗HONDA: THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, POWER ON, BUT IN ACCESSORY; NEVER USE CONVENTIONAL WHEEL & TIRE ASSEMBLIES ON PAX VEHICLES; MIL ON AFTER THROTTLE BODY CLEANING OR REPLACEMENT; S/M FIX BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING, DIALOGUE FOR DVD SURROUND SOUND FROM FRONT SPEAKERS ONLY. VARIOUS MODELS AND MODEL YEARS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗HONDA: MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON WITH TROUBLE CODE STORED. SOFTWARE CONCERN.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ENGINE OIL LEAK(S). DEALER VISIT REQUEST.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Ridgeline narratives cluster around two catastrophic failure zones: engine internals around 90K–100K miles and cooling/transmission systems at higher mileage.
Cylinder #4 and internal engine damage appear in multiple complaints. Owners report spark plug fouling with oil, triggering check engine and VTM-4 lights, followed by compression loss in that cylinder. One owner at 93,460 miles faced a $5K engine replacement that Honda warranty declined at nearly 100K miles, while other owners claim Honda replaced engines on similar units under 100K. A full engine replacement was required in at least one case at 39,600 miles.
Transmission cooler failure is the most destructive pattern. The metal separator between transmission cooler and radiator circuits corrodes, mixing coolants and causing both units to overheat and fail. Owners report sudden power loss, surging, stalling, and leaking pink/white fluid at 123K–147K miles. Repairs exceed $5,700. Honda repeatedly denies warranty coverage and recall despite owners finding dozens of identical incidents on forums.
Cooling system weaknesses extend beyond the cooler: radiators fail, hoses disconnect, and AC condenser fans loosen and puncture the radiator. One mechanic states this fan failure is common on Honda vehicles but no recall has been issued.
Electrical fires occur from incorrectly wired radio harnesses and burned dash wiring, engulfing the engine bay. Debris lodging between exhaust and catalytic converter has also triggered engine bay fires.
Owners consistently report Honda refusing warranty claims, declining to investigate, and advising owners to file NHTSA complaints rather than provide assistance.
Failure modes owners describe
Cylinder #4 Misfiring & Spark Plug Fouling
Spark plug on cylinder #4 becomes caked or gummed with oil, triggering check engine light and misfiring code. Owners report the condition worsens even after plug replacement, leading to compression loss and engine failure.
When: Around 93K–101K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates and flashes during idle; VTM-4 light comes on; Cylinder #4 misfiring code; White/blue exhaust smoke; Accelerator surge episodes; Engine compression loss in cylinder #4
Codes mentioned: Cylinder #4 misfire, P0304 or similar misfire code
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plug replacement ($785 reported for full valve replacement); some owners required complete engine replacement ($5K+ value impact, one owner declined warranty repair at 97K miles).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda denied warranty coverage on at least one vehicle at 93,460 miles despite claimed maintenance records; other owners at under 100K miles reported Honda replaced engines under warranty per second-hand accounts.
Transmission Cooler Failure Inside Radiator
Metal separator between transmission cooler and radiator circuits corrodes, allowing coolant and transmission fluid to mix. This causes overheating, boil-over, and catastrophic failure of both radiator and transmission.
When: 123K–147K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lurches or surges forward while driving; Engine revs spike as if in neutral; Check engine light illuminates; High temperature gauge spike followed by normalization; White/pink 'strawberry milkshake' fluid leaks onto pavement; Transmission fluid sprays and leaks in engine compartment; Vehicle loses power and stalls; Burns from hot leaking fluids
Repairs/costs cited: Refurbished or new transmission, new radiator, hose flushes. One owner cited $5,765 for refurbished transmission and new radiator. Another owner needed radiator replacement only.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda denied financial responsibility; owners report Honda refuses recall or assumption of costs despite dozens of similar incidents on Honda forums. One owner required Honda dealer diagnosis (at owner's cost) before manufacturer would consider assistance.
Blown Head Gasket & Complete Engine Failure
Head gasket fails, allowing coolant to enter cylinder or oil passages. Initially manifests as smoke and low oil, then escalates to engine needing full replacement.
When: Around 140K miles (one case); another case at unknown mileage post-maintenance
Symptoms owners cite: Large amount of smoke at engine startup; Moderate to light smoking from exhaust; Oil level drops a quart between services (3,500-mile interval); Check engine light illuminates; Engine knocking or clanking noise; Coolant present on dipstick; Coolant in radiator critically low
Repairs/costs cited: One case: blown head gasket initially diagnosed; new cylinder head estimated, then upgraded to full engine replacement with new cylinder head ($cost not stated; timeline Dec 27, 2007–Jan 17, 2008 for completion). Another case: new engine required; still smoking after installation, requiring additional cylinder head replacement.
Engine Fire—Electrical Short in Dash Wiring
Incorrectly wired radio or burned wiring harness under the dash catches fire, engulfing engine bay and cabin. One fire occurred shortly after owner reported incorrect radio wiring to dealer.
When: Early in ownership; one fire at 5–8 minutes of driving after startup
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke and fire billowing from AC/dash vents; Burnt wires sticking out from under passenger-side dash; Smell of smoke from AC vents; Complete fire involvement of engine bay and vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: One case: partial repair cost $451.71; heater fan switch issue remained. Another case: total loss/fire.
AC Condenser Fan Loosening & Radiator Damage
AC condenser fan becomes loose and blade moves improperly, puncturing a hole in the radiator. Rapid water loss causes engine to overheat, breaking seals, pistons, and other internal components without adequate warning from temperature sensor.
When: Unknown mileage; described as occurring 'over time'
Symptoms owners cite: AC condenser fan blade moving improperly; Large hole in radiator from fan blade contact; Radiator loses all coolant rapidly; Engine temperature rises critically without timely gauge warning; Engine seizure from overheating
Repairs/costs cited: Significant engine damage including broken seals and pistons; repair costs not detailed but owner notes 'big damage to many parts.'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mechanic states this fan failure is common on Honda vehicles but no recall or warning issued by Honda dealers or factory.
Radiator Hose Disconnection
Hose connecting radiator to engine becomes disconnected, causing oil to drain from engine. Vehicle cannot operate under its own power.
When: 105K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle can be started but cannot be moved; Oil drains from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to mechanic; diagnosis pending as of report date.
Radiator Valve Adjustment & Blown Radiator
Radiator fails; valves in engine are too tight and require adjustment. Owners report significant loss of coolant.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine coolant leak; Check engine light turns on and off intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: $800 for radiator replacement; $400 for valve adjustment. Owner noted improved gas mileage post-repair.
AC Line Abrasion Against Engine Bracket
Aluminum AC pipe located next to engine bracket wears out over time due to vibration contact, causing freon leak and compressor failure.
When: 3 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Freon leak from AC system; AC compressor stops working
Repairs/costs cited: Parts replacement cost $400. Replacement parts made of bendable material instead of rigid original, allowing repositioning away from bracket.
Vehicle Stall Without Warning
Engine shuts off while driving without any preceding warning or fault code. Difficult to diagnose; electrical system and battery testing yields no root cause.
When: 60K–68K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts off without warning while driving; No warning lights prior to stall
Repairs/costs cited: Electrical system checked; battery replaced; issue persisted. Vehicle awaiting further diagnostic testing at authorized dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised owner to file NHTSA complaint.
Engine Stall with Check Engine Light
Check engine light illuminates and vehicle stalls within two minutes of the warning. Vehicle can be restarted but requires engine replacement.
When: 39,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates while driving at 40 mph; Vehicle stalls two minutes later; Powertrain light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement performed by dealer.
Undiagnosed Deceleration with Multiple Warning Lights
Vehicle independently decelerates while cruising at highway speed; multiple warning lights illuminate on instrument panel. Dealer unable to diagnose the underlying cause.
When: 100K miles (failure); current 120K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle decelerates independently while driving 70 mph; Multiple warning lights illuminate; Vehicle loss of power
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed; dealer unable to diagnose.
Acceleration Hesitation from Standstill
Persistent hesitation when accelerating from speeds under 10 mph, especially during turns. Honda attributes it to 'drive-by-wire' system but hesitation is not present on other identical Ridgelines.
When: Early ownership; consistently present at 2,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation for 3 seconds when accelerating from 5 mph; Hesitation when turning and accelerating simultaneously; Constant and consistent since purchase
Repairs/costs cited: None; Honda refuses to investigate, claiming it is normal operation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda claims behavior is normal for 'drive-by-wire' system and refused to diagnose or repair.
Multiple Sensor Illumination & Catalytic Converter Bank Failure
Check engine sensor, VTM sensor, ESC sensor, and airbag sensor intermittently illuminate and eventually remain lit while driving. Diagnosis indicates one catalytic converter bank (front driver side) needs replacement.
When: 173K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service engine sensor intermittently illuminates and flashes; VTM sensor intermittently illuminates; ESC sensor intermittently illuminates; Airbag sensor intermittently illuminates; All four sensors remain illuminated during motion; All-wheel drive not functioning properly
Codes mentioned: Three failure codes related to sensors and catalytic converter
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter bank (front driver side) replacement needed; vehicle not yet repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle not included in NHTSA airbag recall campaigns 14V700000, 14V353000, 14V351000.
Engine Bay Fire—Debris in Exhaust/Catalytic Converter
Debris becomes lodged between exhaust manifold and catalytic converter, causing fire in engine bay. One owner reports purchasing a second Ridgeline and experiencing burning smell episodes on dirt roads.
When: Early in ownership; burning smell episodes after purchase of second unit
Symptoms owners cite: Fire in engine bay; Burning smell from exhaust/catalytic converter area; Major damage to engine bay
Repairs/costs cited: Major damage; vehicle effectively total loss. Owner acquired second Ridgeline and experienced similar smell but no fire.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Honda rigdeline. The contact stated that the vehicle shut off without warning. The dealer made two attempts to diagnose the failure. The electrical system was checked and the battery was replaced; however, the vehicle continued to shut off without warning. The manufacturer was notified and they advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The vehicle was at an…
We got our ridgeline on march 12 a few days that they had been out, only the second that the duval Honda had sold. And we have done nothing but love that truck. On friday 11/25/05 on my way to work, I ahd been driving about 5-8 mintues and then I smelt something a little strange.........coming out of the ac vent. I turned the heater off......the smell of smoke started to get heavier and heavier.…
Truck failed to start after work, after several tries the truck started but warning lights came on and there was a knocking noise in the engine. After a couple of seconds the warning lights went off and the noise went away. When I started to drive it surged a couple of times and then ran normal. I checked the engine when I got home to find coolant on the dipstick and very low on coolant in the…
Had engine trouble with your 2006 Honda Ridgeline?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2006 Honda Ridgeline?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 65,000 and 114,000 miles, with the median around 93,528. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,000; a quarter make it past 114,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Honda/Ridgeline.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.