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 ↗2019 Honda Ridgeline engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Honda Ridgeline have filed 32 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 60,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 Ridgeline | 69 |
| 2018 Ridgeline | 20 |
| 2019 Ridgeline (this page) | 32 |
| 2020 Ridgeline | 21 |
| 2021 Ridgeline | 16 |
| 2022 Ridgeline | 16 |
| 2023 Ridgeline | 11 |
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What stands out
Owners have filed 32 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.
Among the 11 model years of Honda Ridgeline in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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 describe sudden, catastrophic engine failures in 2019 Ridgelines with as few as 17,500 miles, often without warning. The dominant failure is connecting rod bearing wear that damages crankshaft journals and cylinder walls. Symptoms escalate from faint cold-start knocking (reported as early as 30,000 miles) to loud metallic hammering under load, then abrupt power loss with check engine lights flashing. One engine blew two holes in cylinder number 5; another had a connecting rod punch through the block. Failures happen at highway speeds, creating immediate safety hazards—owners cite near-collision risks and fire department responses.
Owners report finding copper metal particles in fresh oil within 1,600 miles, yet Honda dealers at the time denied the problem or refused full diagnostics due to cost. NHTSA Campaign 23V751000 addresses this exact bearing failure in 2017–2019 Ridgelines, but many owners' VINs are excluded despite experiencing identical damage.
Engine replacement costs reach $17,548–$20,000+. Honda has denied goodwill assistance claims and in at least one case refused to diagnose before failure occurred. A separate fuel pump defect remains on recall with parts unavailable. Catalytic converter failures, cold-start rough running, cabin fuel odors, and fuel injector faults round out the complaints, with warranty denials tied to VIN-specific exclusions.
Same Honda Ridgeline engine reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Connecting Rod Bearing Wear and Catastrophic Engine Failure
Connecting rod bearings wear excessively, damaging crankshaft journals and cylinder walls. Eventually bearings seize or fail completely, causing pistons to strike cylinder walls (blown holes in cylinders) or connecting rods to punch through the engine block. Engine loses all power suddenly, often with immediate smoking and complete shutdown.
When: Reported between 17,500 and 99,000 miles; several occur under 70,000 miles despite regular maintenance and dealer oil changes
Symptoms owners cite: Loud metallic knocking, clanking, or hammering from engine (often cold-start noise that diminishes when warm); Faint rod knock that worsens under acceleration; Check engine light and oil pressure warning lights flashing; Engine suddenly loses power and shuts off without warning; Smoke from engine compartment; Engine enters limp mode; Copper or metal particles visible in fresh oil and oil filter; No compression detected in engine; Inability to restart or only minimal engine cranking after failure
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; owners cite replacement costs of $17,548 (OEM) to $20,000+ (OEM unavailable, used engine substitution required). Some dealers avoided full diagnostic due to cost. Metal particles in oil samples available for inspection on at least one vehicle at 1,600 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V751000 recall issued for 2017 and 2019 Ridgelines, but many affected VINs excluded from recall scope despite experiencing identical failures. Honda denied goodwill assistance claims. Dealers reported 'cannot duplicate' when knocking was reported or discouraged full diagnostics due to cost.
Catalytic Converter Degradation and Emissions Failures
Catalytic converter efficiency falls below threshold, triggering check engine diagnostics. One vehicle had failure recur even after converter replacement.
When: Reported at approximately 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Diagnostic codes for catalytic converter efficiency below threshold (Bank 2); Bank 2 air-fuel ratio imbalance codes
Codes mentioned: Catalytic converter efficiency below threshold Bank 2, Bank 2 air-fuel ratio imbalance, NHTSA ID 10187289 (Fuel System, Gasoline)
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement; one owner reported failure recurred after replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers referenced NHTSA campaign but affected VINs not included in recall scope. One related to NHTSA Campaign 21V215000 (Fuel System, Gasoline).
Fuel Pump Delay and Fuel System Supply Issues
Fuel pump defect or failure mode exists but Honda withholds repair until failure occurs on road, creating safety hazard. Recall issued but parts unavailable, leaving vehicles unsafe and inoperable.
When: Ongoing; recall issued but parts backlog indefinite
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel supply interrupted or at risk of interruption while driving; Engine may shut off mid-drive due to fuel loss
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replacement; one owner quoted new fuel pump at unspecified cost, told used pump would be substituted due to parts shortage. Dealers refusing preventive repair, requiring roadside failure first.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued (complaint #15 mentions fuel pump recall) but parts unavailable with no ETA. Honda and dealers refuse to perform preventive service or provide full pump replacement when components unavailable.
Engine Compartment Fire Without Warning Lights
Engine catches fire in parked vehicle without any dashboard warning or visual indicator of malfunction. Fire response required.
When: At approximately 17,500 miles while vehicle parked
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke from engine compartment; Fire (extinguished by fire marshals); No warning lights illuminated before incident
Cold-Start Rough Running and Power Loss (Winter Condition)
Check engine light flashing and rough idle occurring repeatedly during winter operation at highway speeds, particularly after cold soak. Engine power reduced to limp-mode speeds.
When: Occurs once or twice every winter; vehicle has been driven 4 years
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light flashing after cold highway driving; Engine running rough and losing power to 35 MPH max; Condition clears after restart
Fuel/Combustion Odors and Engine Venting Issue
Nauseous odor accumulates in engine compartment and inside cabin when vehicle parked, indicates engine venting malfunction. Problem comes and goes without permanent resolution.
When: Ongoing since new purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Nauseating odor in cabin when parked in garage; Fuel or combustion odor in engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer service attempted but no permanent resolution achieved.
Engine Knock with Limp-Mode Activation
Engine develops knock under light throttle acceleration or cold start, vehicle enters limp mode with check engine light. Some treated as rod bearing wear, others not fully diagnosed.
When: Between 30,000 and 65,000 miles on regularly maintained vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Rod knock noise from engine bottom, most noticeable cold start and light acceleration; Engine knock easily reproduced with foot-on-brake, in-drive, light throttle pedal depression; Vehicle may enter limp mode
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable or unwilling to reproduce noise during inspection; told 'cannot duplicate.'
Fuel Injector Fault and Extended Warranty Exclusion
Fuel injector fault codes match service bulletin exactly but coverage denied due to VIN-specific warranty exclusion, leaving owner responsible for repair.
When: Within extended warranty period
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light codes matching fuel injector bulletin
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty issued but fuel injector coverage denied due to VIN-specific exclusion despite matching published service bulletin.
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The engine light came on and cam shaft caused the rod bearing to fail. I see there is a recall 23v751. But my vehicle vin. Is not on it 2019 honda ridgeline
This is my second Honda ridgeline. The first was a 2014 model. This 2019 ridgeline has a distinctive metal knocking noise in the engine when running. The noise gets quite loud the colder the initial startup and under initial load. It gets quieter after running on the highway for a distance. I took it to the dealer several years ago but the noise was hard to hear after running the interstate for…
Excessive wear on connecting rod or crankshaft bearings. While performing a pre-road trip oil change after only 1600 miles, I found a large amount of copper glitter metal particles in the engine oil. I have oil samples and the oil filter available for inspection. And I have pictures. If the bearings seize the engine will stop running possibly causing an accident. I had put just 15 miles on the…
Bad fuel injectors.
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2019 Honda Ridgeline?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 32 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?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 56,000 and 87,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 56,000; a quarter make it past 87,000. 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/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.