Service Bulletin - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator flashing “D” and set DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Performance or Stuck OFF.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Honda Ridgeline engine problems
severe 68 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
68
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
4fires
What stands out
Of the 10 model years of Honda Ridgeline we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 68.
Owners have filed 68 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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.
Service Bulletin - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator flashing “D” and set DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Performance or Stuck OFF.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator flashing “D” and set the DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Performance or Stuck OFF.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more common in regions with cold weather (specifically near or below freezing temperatures). Usually after a long drive (around 2 hours) and accelerating while cornering.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more common in regions with cold weather (specifically near or below freezing temperatures). Usually after a long drive (around 2 hours) and accelerating while cornering. Moisture accumulation in the intake manifold during long drives gets drawn into the combustion chamber while cornering, causing misfires.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two major clusters of engine failure: connecting rod bearing seizure and unrelated component breakdowns, each creating serious safety risks.
Rod Bearing Failures dominate this dataset—thirty-plus narratives describe metallic knocking that progresses to complete engine seizure, often without warning. Mileage varies widely: 44,000 to 120,000 miles. Dealers confirm metal debris in oil. Owners point to NHTSA Recall 23V-751 covering 2017–2019 models but claim Honda excluded their VINs despite identical failure signatures. Some owners paid $9,000–$24,000 for engine replacement after Honda denied warranty; others report the replacement engine came with no guarantee against repeat failure.
Secondary failures include transmission clutch pressure solenoid faults (P0776), water pump seizure at 28,000 miles with no prior signs, fuel pump failures dropping highway power, and camshaft sensor damage limiting speed to 20 mph. Four owners separately describe spontaneous engine fires while parked, unattended—fire department intervention required, cause undetermined.
Safety hazard pattern: Most failures occur mid-highway with no prior warning lights. Power steering and brakes fail with the engine. Owners describe terrifying moments steering deadweight vehicles across multiple lanes or constructing emergency stops in traffic.
Owners consistently cite Honda's narrow recall scope as the core complaint—they maintained their vehicles per schedule, followed service bulletins, yet remain uncompensated for failures matching the recalled defect exactly.
Same Honda Ridgeline engine reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Connecting Rod Bearing Failure
Premature wear or seizure of connecting rod bearings, causing metal debris in oil, engine knock/knocking sounds, loss of power, and complete engine seizure. Owners report the failure occurred without warning at various mileages, some as low as 44,000 miles. Multiple narratives reference NHTSA Recall 23V-751 but claim their VINs were excluded despite experiencing identical failures. The defect appears to be a manufacturing issue affecting a broader VIN range than the official recall.
When: Mileage varies: 44,000 to 120,000 miles reported; timing unpredictable, often during highway driving without prior symptoms
Symptoms owners cite: Metallic knocking or ticking sound from engine, increasing with RPM; Engine knock increasing in volume before failure; Loss of engine power and acceleration; Engine seizing or complete shutdown; Flashing check engine light at moment of failure; Metal shavings found in engine oil; Rough idling at failure; No warning lights or messages before failure in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required. Costs cited: $9,000–$24,000 for new or used engine replacement. Some owners report Honda dealerships refused to honor recall for non-included VINs despite identical failure mode.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 23V-751 (Campaign 23V751000) covers connecting rod bearing failure on certain 2017–2019 Ridgelines but excludes many owners' VINs. NHTSA Recall Investigation Rq24-013 ongoing for failures outside 23V-751 VIN range. Multiple owners report Honda denied warranty and goodwill claims citing VIN exclusion from recall.
Transmission Clutch Pressure Failure
Clutch pressure control solenoid valve malfunction causing transmission to enter limp mode, hard shifting, and inability to shift beyond third gear. One owner reports diagnostic code P0776. Failure linked to earlier torque-converter issues (DTC P0741) that Honda addressed via extended warranty on some units. Suggests ongoing transmission control system degradation in affected vehicles.
When: 120,000 miles reported; customer had prior warranty-covered transmission repairs and software updates at 39,678 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle enters limp mode; Hard shifting; Unable to shift beyond third gear; Transmission judder and slipping (reported in earlier service records on same vehicle)
Codes mentioned: P0776
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement solenoid pack quoted at $3,000 with no guarantee; rebuilt transmission replacement quoted at $9,000. Owner cites prior warranty-covered ATF flushes and software updates from Honda in service history.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Service Bulletin 23-078 extends warranty to 8 years/150,000 miles for torque-converter failures (DTC P0741). Owner reports prior warranty repairs and software updates but was denied coverage for P0776 failure despite pattern suggesting related hydraulic control degradation.
Water Pump Failure
Catastrophic premature water pump failure with loud metal-to-metal noise and complete loss of coolant. Failure occurred during routine parking with no prior warning signs despite regular owner fluid checks and recent dealer multi-point inspections.
When: 28,330 miles; failure occurred during parking after city street driving
Symptoms owners cite: Loud metal-to-metal noise from engine; Complete loss of coolant; Engine shutdown to prevent further damage
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced water pump and timing belt kit package. Failed parts discarded by dealer and unavailable for inspection.
Engine Fire (Parked Vehicle)
Multiple reports of spontaneous engine fires occurring while vehicle was parked and unattended, with no prior symptoms or warning signs. Fires started in engine compartment area; fire department required to extinguish. Cause not determined by dealers in at least two cases.
When: At various mileages (21,000 and 90,000 reported) while parked; one incident at 4 PM after morning parking
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous fire under hood in engine area; Smoke and flames from engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: In reported cases, dealers declined to diagnose or disassemble vehicles to determine cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers notified but offered no diagnosis or assistance in some cases. One case opened manufacturer case number 09006658.
Fuel Pump Failure
Fuel pump failure causing low fuel rail pressure and loss of engine power. One owner reports complete fuel injection system failure leading to rod bearing damage.
When: 93,000 miles reported for fuel pump failure
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden deceleration and loss of power; Unable to accelerate beyond 30–50 mph; Check engine light and emission system warnings
Codes mentioned: P0087
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replacement cost cited as $1,700. One owner also discovered rod bearing failure after fuel system failure.
Engine Knock/Misfire with Uncertain Cause
Engine knock and misfire issues with varying underlying causes—some confirmed as bearing failure, others as camshaft/sensor issues, spark plug/coil issues, or moisture in intake manifold. Represents diagnostic ambiguity where initial symptoms resemble bearing failure but resolve differently.
When: Various mileages from 28,000 to 119,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine knocking or ticking sound; Check engine light illumination; Engine hesitation or rough running; Loss of acceleration or power
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs ranged from spark plug/coil replacement ($cost not specified) to moisture-foam repair with customer discount. One case involved timing component inspection and compression testing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Technical Service Bulletin 24-085 referenced for moisture-in-intake-manifold repair; customer discount provided but not covered by TSB.
Engine Stall with Safety-Critical Loss of Power
Complete engine shutdown during highway driving with loss of power steering, braking assist, and electrical control. No prior warning lights in most cases. Creates immediate safety hazard due to difficulty steering and braking without engine power.
When: Various mileages; one case at 96,200 miles, another shortly after routine maintenance
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine shutdown while driving; Loss of power steering; Loss of braking assist; Loss of electrical power (lights, dashboard); Engine will not restart
Repairs/costs cited: Requires engine replacement (all cases); costs $9,000–$24,000 depending on new vs. used and dealer.
Battery Failure with Electrical Anomaly
Battery failure accompanied by smoking and sparking during jump-start attempt after engine shutdown event. May indicate charging system or internal battery defect.
When: Concurrent with engine failure event
Symptoms owners cite: Battery smokes and sparks during jump-start attempt; All electrical warning lights flashing before engine shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement required before engine could be assessed.
Camshaft Position Sensor Failure
Camshaft position sensor damaged, with evidence of camshaft striking sensor, causing multiple warning lights and severe power loss (truck limited to 20–23 mph). Suggests possible internal engine damage or misalignment.
When: 86,280 miles reported for one case; another at 28,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not accelerate; Multiple warning lights (check engine, power steering, cruise control, ABS); Severe speed limitation; Camshaft striking sensor
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft and camshaft sensor replacement performed; one case quoted as potentially needing full engine replacement.
Engine Knock (Unconfirmed Bearing Failure)
Rod knock reproduced on engine startup but not yet confirmed by dealership or independent shop. Owner parked vehicle pending diagnosis due to safety concerns. Included per owner request to document potential bearing failure risk.
When: Started November (year not specified)
Symptoms owners cite: Rod knock reproduced every engine start; No warning lights or prior failure messages
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle parked and undriven pending inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Referenced in relation to NHTSA investigation PE25008 (rod knock/bearing failure)
Fuel System Odor Without Confirmed Leak
Gasoline smell from under hood and in cabin after engine warms up. Dealer unable to locate any leak but recommended fuel system repair and direct injection service.
When: On 2017 model; reported when warm
Symptoms owners cite: Gas smell under hood; Gas smell in cabin; No warning codes or messages
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel system repair quoted at $626; direct injection service at $240. Dealer found no leaks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no recall exists for this issue.
Synthesized from 68 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Have taken in a few times for engine knocking, Honda has down oil changes and reported noise is normal but is getting louder, purchased extended warranty from Honda dealer. Also had at Honda for oil and filter change a month ago, they also were supposed to have completed the tailgate harness but told me it had be previously complied with but never took it off the list of open recalls. Honda isn’t…
Connecting rod bearing on the #6 cylinder...after the injectors failed and the vehicle was barely drivable the Honda mechanic heard a knocking in the motor which was confirmed when I agreed to pay $700 for them to tear it down to look. Mechanic confirmed issue which is EXACTLY same issue as the recall for other 2017 Ridgelines. I am somewhat lucky as I had purchased an extended warranty but it…
Driver detected faint internal engine noise. There were no warning lamps or other messages displayed. Vehicle was taken to Nissan North, 8645 North High Street, Worthington, OH 43065, (614) 436-2768 ("Shop"). Shop diagnosed the internal engine noise as "connecting rod knock". Engine then seized up while in the possession of Shop. Engine was required to be replaced. See attached Nissan…
Complete engine failure at approximately 107K miles. Honda Corp denied warranty consideration. I paid to have Honda dealership replace engine. Subsequently Honda issued recall notice referring to the engine failure with description similar to the repairs listed on the Honda invoice I paid. I believe the recall notice is 23V-751. I called Honda after the recall and they stated that my VIN was…
I was driving on the highway when there was a sudden drop in power, accompanied by a flashing engine light. I was unable to proceed at normal highway speeds and was worried about a complete loss of power. I was able to coast/stay in a low gear to get off the highway and find a safe place to park the vehicle. Shortly after parking, the engine stopped and would not engage on attempts to restart.…
Had engine trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Honda Ridgeline?
It's a meaningful issue. 68 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 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 51,000 and 107,000 miles, with the median around 91,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 51,000; a quarter make it past 107,000. 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/2017/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.