My truck need a new drive shaft ..I google and so many trucks need the same things..it should be a recall I never heard cars need this so soon my truck is 2007 Honda ridgeline. Thanks [xxx]. ('parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).')*jb
2007 Honda Ridgeline powertrain problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant failure across these 10 complaints is transmission and coolant line cross-contamination inside the radiator. Owners describe the transmission cooling line rupturing or breaking inside the radiator, allowing coolant to contaminate transmission fluid and transmission fluid to foul the coolant system. The transmission then runs dry and fails completely—loss of power, unable to engage Drive or Reverse, vehicle coasting to the roadside. Repair costs run $4,000 or more and include transmission replacement, radiator replacement, and transmission flush. One owner with 125K miles reported the same failure affected his neighbor's Ridgeline. Honda denied warranty assistance when the vehicle was out of warranty.
Several owners report torque converter lockup pulsing and shudder at 45–48 mph in light-load, top-gear cruising, beginning around 45K–50K miles and worsening as the truck ages. The tachometer needle visibly pulses. Changing throttle position temporarily unlocks the converter, but the pulse returns.
Other reported failures include a seized water pump that shredded the timing belt and bent cylinder head valves at an unspecified mileage (though the belt was original and due for replacement at 105K miles per Honda's recommendation), four-wheel drive that fails to engage immediately and disengages when shifted to Park, frame rust-through at the rear wheel mounting points with wheels at risk of detachment, and driveshaft failure requiring replacement.
Same Honda Ridgeline powertrain reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission and Coolant Line Cross-Contamination in Radiator
Transmission cooling line inside the radiator fails or breaks, allowing coolant to mix with transmission fluid and transmission fluid to contaminate the coolant system. Owners report transmission and coolant lines bleeding together within the radiator, visible in the coolant reservoir, and transmission running dry as a result.
When: Reported at various mileages: 125K miles in one case; less than one year/under 20K miles new in another; documented as recurring issue across multiple vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt loss of transmission power while driving at highway speeds (70 mph, 65 mph); Transmission will not engage Drive or Reverse; Vehicle coasts to shoulder/loss of mobility; Transmission fluid contaminated with coolant; Coolant mixed with transmission fluid visible in reservoir; Hard shifts into fourth gear with shaking at 60 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Used transmission and radiator replacement approximately $4,000 in one case; another case expected to exceed $4,000 including transmission flush, new radiator, and new transmission. Owner notes mechanic cannot guarantee new radiator won't fail the same way.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda warranty claim denied on out-of-warranty vehicle. Dealer advised owner warranty had expired; Honda stated nothing could be done.
Torque Converter Lockup Pulsing and Shudder
Torque converter pulses in and out of lockup under light load at cruising speeds, producing vibration and slight audible sensation. Tachometer needle shows corresponding pulses. Condition worsens as vehicle ages.
When: First noticed around 45K-50K miles; documented on vehicles at 83K and 102K miles; reported as getting progressively worse over time
Symptoms owners cite: Torque converter pulses in and out of lockup; Slight audible sensation during cruise at 45-48 mph in top gear; Vibration sensation corresponding to pulse; Tachometer needle pulses to confirm; Condition worsens as truck ages; Throttle position changes cause converter to unlock temporarily
Water Pump Seizure and Timing Belt Shredding
Water pump seizes, causing timing belt to shred. Results in bent valves in cylinder head and catastrophic engine damage. Vehicle loses power while driving.
When: Occurred at unspecified mileage; original timing belt; Honda recommended replacement interval is 105K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt loss of engine power at 65 mph; Loss of power steering; Loss of power brakes; Engine will not start; Seized water pump; Shredded timing belt; Bent valves in cylinder head
Repairs/costs cited: Extensive repair totaling $5,000
Four-Wheel Drive Engagement Delay and Disengagement on Park Shift
Four-wheel drive does not engage immediately when button is activated; vehicle moves approximately 6 feet before engagement occurs. Four-wheel drive disengages when transmission is shifted into Park.
When: At 7,000 miles on new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Four-wheel drive does not engage immediately upon button activation; Vehicle moves approximately 6 feet before 4WD engages; Four-wheel drive disengages when transmission shifted to Park
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated failure was result of how vehicle was engineered
Frame Rust-Through at Rear Wheel Mounting Points
Unibody frame experiences severe corrosion and rust-through, particularly at rear wheel mounting area. Frame part holding rear wheels corrodes completely. Entire rear wheel assembly at risk of detachment.
When: Not specified; mileage not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Unibody rust-through; Frame rust-through at rear wheel mounting area; Noise from rear; Shaking; Entire rear wheel assembly loose/falling off; Rear powertrain at imminent risk of separation from vehicle
Driveshaft Failure
Driveshaft requires replacement. Owner reports observing via online search that many 2007 Ridgelines experience the same failure.
When: Not specified; owner notes failures occurring early in vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Driveshaft failure requiring replacement
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2007 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 powertrain problem on the 2007 Honda Ridgeline?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 105,592 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2007/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.