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 ↗2018 Honda Ridgeline engine problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
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 of 2018 Honda Ridgelines report catastrophic engine failure caused by connecting rod bearing wear or seizure, typically occurring between 40,000 and 93,000 miles. Failure usually begins with audible knocking, clunking, or clacking from the engine—often at startup or varying with RPM—that worsens over hours or days before the engine seizes or loses power completely at highway speed. Several owners lost engine power without prior warning; others had only a brief rattle before violent vibration and complete loss of propulsion, leaving them stranded on interstates in dangerous conditions. Dealership inspection confirms metal shavings in the oil pan and broken connecting rods that have punched holes through the engine block. Engine replacement is mandatory, with dealership estimates between $7,800 and $13,500. Several owners report dealerships and Honda initially denied warranty coverage despite remaining coverage period. Notably, Honda issued Recall 23V-751 for 2017 and 2019 Ridgelines covering identical bearing failures but excluded 2018 model years despite open NHTSA investigations (RQ24013 and PE25008) and a Technical Service Bulletin issued for the same problem covering both 2017 and 2019 models—as well as 2018 Pilots. One owner also reported transmission judder caused by rapid fluid loss at highway speeds, and another found oil fouling a spark plug at the 100,000-mile service, signaling potential internal oil leaks. Owners emphasize the safety risk: sudden, unwarned loss of power on high-speed roads.
Same Honda Ridgeline engine reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Connecting Rod Bearing Failure
Connecting rod bearings wear, seize, or spin, causing the rod to break and punch through the engine block. Metal shavings accumulate in the oil pan. Failure occurs suddenly, without adequate warning, often after only days or weeks of audible symptoms.
When: Ranges from 40,500 miles to 93,000 miles; one owner reported 64k miles, another 75k. Most failures reported between 75k–93k miles. Several occurred shortly after or during warranty coverage window.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking, clunking, or clacking noise from engine, often at startup or varying with RPM; Noise worsens over hours or days before catastrophic failure; Flashing check engine light and loss of engine power while driving; Engine loses ability to accelerate beyond 30–55 mph; Complete loss of power on highway or interstate with violent vibration; Engine lockup/stalls and will not restart; Metal shavings visible in oil pan upon inspection
Codes mentioned: Flashing check engine light, #2 cylinder misfire
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; dealership repair estimates range from $7,800 (remanufactured short block with new heads) to $13,500+ (new engine). Several owners report dealerships initially denied warranty coverage despite warranty remaining. One owner paid out-of-pocket for failure investigation; another paid $800+ after Honda covered a percentage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 23V-751 issued for 2017 and 2019 Ridgelines covering connecting rod bearing failure, but 2018 model year excluded despite identical failure pattern and open NHTSA investigations RQ24013 and PE25008. Honda extended fuel system warranty to 150k miles on these vehicles, acknowledging fuel-system issues. Technical Service Bulletin issued 11/2023 covering bearing issues but limited to 2017 and 2019 Ridgelines; 2018 Pilots ARE included in TSB. Honda has declined goodwill consideration and requested proof of prior dealership maintenance to deny claims. Corporate stated inability to retrieve oil-change data from onboard computers or verify used engine history against recall status.
Transmission Judder (Fluid Loss)
Transmission burns fluid at an accelerated rate, causing transmission fluid starvation and juddering during acceleration and gear changes. Occurs at highway speeds with significant RPM fluctuation.
When: At highway speeds (70 mph reported); timing of onset not specified in narrative.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission judders during acceleration and gear changes; RPM gauge fluctuates excessively; Vehicle has difficulty accelerating and changing gears; Transmission fluid burns rapidly
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership confirmed transmission judder diagnosis. Specific repair cost and parts not detailed in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin issued for 2017 Ridgeline addressing transmission judder, but does not cover 2018 or 2019 model years despite identical complaint pattern documented online across all three years.
Engine Oil Contamination / Spark Plug Oil Fouling
Oil leaks into the combustion chamber, contaminating spark plugs and potentially causing critical engine failure. Oil pooling observed around engine assembly.
When: Discovered during 100k-mile tune-up; one failure narrative shows oil leaking from engine assembly at 75k miles (hole in engine block from bearing failure).
Symptoms owners cite: Spark plug contaminated with oil while others remain clean; Oil pooling/leaking around engine assembly; May indicate tube seal leak or internal engine issue allowing oil into combustion chamber
Repairs/costs cited: At 100k-mile service, spark plug #4 found oiled while plugs 1–3 and 5–6 clean. No repair cost specified.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Our 2018 Honda Ridgeline broke a connecting rod, that quickly punched through the engine block. My entire family was left stranded on the side of I-79, at night, in the mountains of West Virginia, in subfreezing temperatures, with no power or heat. It took an hour for a tow truck to reach us (we were in the middle of nowhere) and another hour to get it towed to the nearest Honda dealership.…
The Honda Ridgeline 2018 has an issue that it burns its transmission fluid really fast to the point that the Truck's transmission starts to judder. This causes the truck to have issues accelerating or changing gears. This happened to me in a 70 MPH highway, when the problem starts you see the RPM gauge fluctuating a lot and the Truck has issues accelerating. This problem was present on the 2017…
While driving the vehicle to the dealership to have them inspect the vehicle for a knocking noise coming from the engine at startup, the engine stalled. The engine locked up and had to be towed approximately 10 miles to the dealership. Upon inspection by the dealership after pulling the oil pan and inspecting for evidence of rod bearing failure, it was confirmed by the shop manager that there…
Service engine light came on and mechanic stated the failed rod bearings have made the vehicle undriveable.
My check engine light came on and within minutes there was a loud noise, smoke and my vehicle lost power. I was on Hwy 20 returning to Boise, ID from Bend, OR. Luckily this occurred just as I had cell service since I was without cell service just before this occurred. This happened in the evening on Nov 2, 2025. I had just had it serviced for regularly needed maintenance as recommended by…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2018 Honda Ridgeline?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 20 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 86,253 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 $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/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.