Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor connector area that corrodes the terminals.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Honda Ridgeline body problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Honda Ridgeline have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Ridgeline | 6 |
| 2017 Ridgeline | 10 |
| 2018 Ridgeline (this page) | 8 |
| 2019 Ridgeline | 20 |
| 2020 Ridgeline | 3 |
| 2021 Ridgeline | 4 |
1crash
What stands out
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 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 body 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 - The hood flutters or vibrates at highway speeds.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - One or more accessory running board lights are flickering or not working.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2018-2019 Odysseys, Pilots & Ridgelines with a customer complaint of a chirp noise heard inside cabin or coming from the engine compartment. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda (AHM) is collecting a HEALTHY tailgate harness from certain 2017-2018 Ridgelines which fits the criteria listed below.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Excessive hood vibration/fluttering at varying speeds (30-70 MPH)
The hood flops in the wind, like a 2 foot long piece of aluminum foil. It's because the glue holding the composite skin to the metal frame has come loose. I'm sure over time, the stress from the wind will cause the composite material to break completely from the hood. Honda dealer wanted Honda to repair it, but Honda will only pay 60%, leaving me with a 1100.00 bill. Not acceptable, since…
My hood is subtly bouncing at speeds over 55mph. I see that many Pilots, Ridgelines, etc. had recalls about the hood latch. I searched to see if my car was on the recall list for that after experiencing the hood bouncing, but it was not; however, it is concerning. I have not had my truck inspected yet, as I just bought it. There are no lights, messages etc. Should I be concerned or take it in?
Had body trouble with your 2018 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 body problem on the 2018 Honda Ridgeline?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 7,288 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 $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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/2018/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.