Service Bulletin - REVISION SUMMARY Under PARTS INFORMATION, the trim level was corrected. SYMPTOM The vehicleâs factory security system will sound off intermittently when the vehicle is parked, and the system is armed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Honda Ridgeline electrical problems
severe 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 29 electrical complaints filed for the 2019 Honda Ridgeline, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Owners have filed 29 electrical 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.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 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 electrical 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 PCM software may misinterpret sensor inputs as a deteriorated catalytic converter. Additionally, debris from the high pressure pump or the fuel injector machining process can cause internal wear or clogging inside one or more injectors. One or more of the following DTCs may be stored: - P0420 (rear bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [bank 1]) - P0430 (front bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [bank 2]) - P0300-P0306 (misfire) - P219A (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 1, rear bank]) - P219B (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 2, front bank]) American Honda is extending the warranty on these repairs to 10 years from the origina
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The Bluetooth HandsFreeLink (HFL) system freezes after a phone call and stored voice tags are missing when the ignition is turned ON.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Tech line summary article - We're getting reports of vehicles being stuck in ACCESSORY mode and unable to fully shut down. When this happens, the audio unit stays on, the ENGINE START/STOP button blinks, the gear position indicator doesn't show P, and the doors won't lock.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2019 Ridgeline has two prevalent electrical failures. The keyless entry control unit malfunctions around 2–5 years of ownership, triggering loud alarms at random hours—sometimes unprovoked, sometimes when locked. The alarm drains the battery dead, leaving the truck unable to start and the key fobs inoperative. Owners wake to alarms blaring in the middle of the night and are forced to use manual entry to shut down the vehicle. One owner tracked 86 complaints in the Ridgeline Owners Club; Honda issued TSB 21-055 and extended warranty coverage to some owners, but corporate Honda refused coverage on out-of-warranty vehicles. Replacements run $957 installed, and the unit can fail again after 2–3 years.
The backup camera wiring harness, routed through the dual-action tailgate hinge, tears and chafes during normal opening and closing. Wires become exposed and severed, killing the camera. Most failures occur between 28,000 and 41,000 miles—right at or just past the 36,000-mile warranty. One owner replaced the camera twice in 12 months at personal cost. A TSB exists and NHTSA launched an investigation, but a recall remains limited or incomplete, and dealerships inconsistently apply repairs. The replaced harness uses the same design, raising questions about whether failures will recur.
Same Honda Ridgeline electrical reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Keyless Entry Control Unit Malfunction & Random Alarm
The keyless entry/TPMS control unit fails, triggering the alarm to sound at random intervals—sometimes when doors are locked, sometimes unprovoked. The alarm drains the battery completely, preventing the vehicle from starting and disabling door locks and other controls. Owners report being unable to unlock the vehicle with key fobs and experiencing dashboard electrical system flickering and clicking. One owner reported the alarm would not shut off at all.
When: 2-5 years of ownership; can recur after initial replacement
Symptoms owners cite: alarm sounds randomly at any time, including when parked and unlocked; battery completely discharged, vehicle unable to start; key fob locks/unlocks do not work during alarm event; dashboard lights and display flicker or click; manual entry required to start vehicle and stop alarm; back tailgate lock failure accompanies alarm issues
Codes mentioned: TSB 21-055, Recall 10197651, NHTSA complaint IDs: 11240893, 11302469, 11397199, 11438476, 11461046, 11488489, 141547651, 11523078, 11522464, 11518015, 11515091
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of keyless entry/TPMS control unit required; $957 reported including labor. Labor charged may exceed TSB estimate of 0.03–0.08 hours. One owner was offered $100 dealer discount; corporate Honda provided no goodwill coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued SB 21-055 and extended warranty coverage for some vehicles; not all owners qualify. Honda corporate refused warranty repair on vehicle with 41,000 miles outside original warranty period. One dealership indicated Honda does not follow NHTSA directives, only Honda's own guidance.
Tailgate Backup Camera Wiring Harness Damage & Camera Failure
The backup camera wiring harness routing through the dual-action tailgate hinge area is poorly protected and prone to chafing, pinching, and severing during normal operation. The plastic housing breaks open, exposing copper wires that flex and break at the left tailgate hinge. Failures occur both under and after warranty expiration. The camera fails completely or cuts in and out intermittently, with one owner experiencing two failures in 12 months requiring paid replacement both times. Multiple owners note the problem is widespread on forums with hundreds of posts.
When: 28,000 to 56,000 miles; failures occur at and just past warranty expiration (36,000–41,000 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: backup camera display goes black or no signal to center screen in reverse; camera image cuts in and out intermittently; entire center display (GPS, audio, etc.) goes blank unless tailgate is repeatedly opened/closed; wires visibly exposed, chaffed bare, or severed at tailgate hinge area; rubbing sound when opening tailgate (early warning sign)
Codes mentioned: TSB referenced by dealers (specific number not named in narratives), NHTSA Action Number PE22001 (investigation for 2017–2018 models; 2019 not included as of complaint), NHTSA Recall 22V867
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness replacement or re-routing required. One owner paid $364.12 for backup camera replacement in 2021, then again in 2022 after a second failure. Dealer indicates replacement part number is identical to original, raising concerns about recurrence. One owner reported dealership claimed ample parts in supply but refused to perform recall replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued TSB for wire re-routing to minimize issue; no recall issued for 2019 model year as of complaint dates. Recall 22V867 exists but dealership compliance unclear—one owner reports service manager stated they follow Honda guidance, not NHTSA directive. Investigation PE22001 covers 2017–2018 models only.
Unintended Ignition & Engine Start
The vehicle ignition turns on and engine starts by itself without any key present or remote signal. Battery completely discharges as a result. The malfunction is intermittent and sometimes difficult to diagnose without stored codes. Diagnosis traced to failing keyless access control unit.
When: Not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: ignition turns on without keys in vehicle or in proximity; engine starts and continues running after attempts to shut it down; multiple button presses (4–5 attempts) required to stop engine; complete battery discharge; difficulty starting vehicle in subsequent attempts; flashing malfunction indicator lights
Repairs/costs cited: Keyless access control unit replacement resolved the issue. Disconnecting and reconnecting battery temporarily restored function before repair.
Infotainment System Freeze & Display Loss
The information management/infotainment system freezes or goes completely blank during driving, eliminating navigation cues and all digital driver display information. The system attempts to restart, flashing briefly every few seconds, but does not fully recover until the vehicle is turned off and restarted. One owner reported this occurred twice on a vehicle with only 26,000 miles.
When: 26,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: center display goes blank while driving; all navigation information and audio control disappears; digital driver display indicators lost; screen flashes briefly as if attempting to restart; system unresponsive until vehicle is powered off and restarted
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated they cannot diagnose without a stored diagnostic code; none provided by vehicle systems.
Speedometer Malfunction & Display Failure
The speedometer fails to display accurate vehicle speed while driving. Dealer reset the software, but the failure recurred later. One owner also reported the speedometer reset did not permanently resolve the issue.
When: 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: speedometer displays incorrect speed or no speed information; malfunction occurs at various driving speeds; recurs after dealer software reset
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed software reset; issue returned.
Emission Sensor & Engine Control Issues
Number 2 oxygen sensor cycles on and off intermittently. Vehicle sputters and runs poorly at low RPM (around 1.5 RPM) until reaching 2+ RPM. Check engine lights and media system lights flicker on and off. Multiple electrical symptoms appear together, suggesting possible electrical grounding or control module issue.
When: 66,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: number 2 oxygen sensor cycles on and off; engine sputters at low RPM (1.5 RPM range); check engine light and other indicator lights flicker on and off; media system jumps between music and GPS; volume changes spontaneously
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership advised no recalls apply.
Power Window & Sunroof Unintended Activation
All power windows rolled down and sunroof opened on their own while the vehicle was parked, with no occupants inside and no prior warning or symptoms. Risk of water damage if event occurs during rain.
When: Not specified; occurred on two occasions
Symptoms owners cite: all four windows roll down unexpectedly; sunroof opens unexpectedly; occurs while vehicle is parked
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Issue not confirmed by dealer or vehicle manufacturer; no inspection performed.
Right Mirror Heater & Parking Light Failure
Right side mirror heating element fails to warm, leaving the mirror iced over and unusable in winter driving conditions. Parking transmission indicator lights do not illuminate, reducing visibility in low-light parking situations.
When: November 2024 (blizzard conditions)
Symptoms owners cite: right mirror does not heat; becomes iced over in winter conditions; parking transmission lights do not illuminate
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Honda dealership told me to bring my vehicle in for NHTSA 22V867. They checked parts department and told me they had ample parts in supply. At the dealership I was told the wiring harness was inspected by them and was fine and would not be replaced. I was provided an invoice that stated “recall performed”. The service manager explained they do what Honda tells them, not what the NHTSA says. I…
While driving info management system stops working, freezes then goes blank. Lose all digital indications on drivers display and nav cues. Would briefly flash every few seconds as though it was trying to restart. Has done this twice now in a new truck of only 26k miles. This occurred in motion and persisted until the vehicle was turned off and restarted. Dealer says without a 'code' they…
Had electrical trouble with your 2019 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 electrical problem on the 2019 Honda Ridgeline?
It's a meaningful issue. 29 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 29 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 28,333 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2019/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.