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 ↗2023 Honda Ridgeline engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2023 Honda Ridgeline have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the engine 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 →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Ridgeline | 32 |
| 2020 Ridgeline | 21 |
| 2021 Ridgeline | 16 |
| 2022 Ridgeline | 16 |
| 2023 Ridgeline (this page) | 11 |
| 2025 Ridgeline | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 11 engine complaints filed for the 2023 Honda Ridgeline, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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.
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 - 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 ↗Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on initial startup after precipitation and sub-freezing temperatures. Water can enter the starter motor, and when temperatures drop below freezing, the water will freeze inside the starter motor. This will prevent the starter from cranking the engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Warranty Extension - Warranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the warranty extension notice date.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Eleven 2023 Ridgeline owners describe fuel-system and engine reliability problems emerging early in ownership. The most consistent complaint is gasoline infiltrating the engine oil—confirmed by third-party lab analysis—causing strong fuel fumes in the cabin that make passengers nauseous. One owner identified the PCV vent hose as the source. Honda dealerships have told owners this smell is normal and refused to accept independent lab results.
Engine knock is reported at 34,000 and 82,000 miles, with dealer diagnostics pointing to bearing wear and crankshaft damage. One vehicle required complete engine replacement at 20,117 miles after unexpected stall.
Cold-weather power loss appears in multiple complaints. Owners report the engine enters safety mode during or after highway driving in freezing temperatures, causing severe power loss when exiting or accelerating. One dealer explicitly stated Honda has been unable to solve this condensation-in-intake-manifold issue. A separate complaint describes condensation causing check engine light flashing and power loss at 35°F.
Minor complaints include auto start/stop delay timing in traffic, unexpected forward lurching on steep grades, and general loss of power requiring shutdown and computer reset.
Most failures occurred within the first 20,000 miles or shortly after purchase.
Same Honda Ridgeline engine reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Gasoline in Oil / Fuel Odor in Cabin
Gasoline contamination of engine oil causing strong gasoline smell in cabin and passenger nausea. Oil analysis confirmed gasoline presence. Manufacturer classified the issue as normal despite third-party lab results and health complaints.
When: Approximately 6 months after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Noxious gasoline smell in cabin; Passenger and driver nausea; Strong gasoline odor in used oil
Repairs/costs cited: Oil change performed; issue persisted. PCV vent hose identified as source in separate complaint (allowing fumes into cabin via fresh air intake).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: American Honda stated the gasoline smell was normal and refused to accept third-party oil analysis results. Suggested seeking second opinion.
Abnormal Engine Knock / Bearing Damage
Abnormal clicking sound from engine with potential bearing damage. Dealership inspection revealed crankshaft and short block damage at 82,000 miles. Owner linked failure to NHTSA Campaign 23V751000 for older Ridgeline models.
When: Approximately 82,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal clicking sound at various speeds; No warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership determined crankshaft and short block required replacement. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer contact recorded.
Loss of Power / Check Engine Light (Cold Weather)
Engine enters safety mode causing severe power loss when accelerating after highway driving in cold weather. Check engine light illuminates. Owner cannot determine loss of power until on roadway with traffic, creating safety hazard. Recurred 4-5 times despite multiple repair attempts.
When: First occurrence February 2023, after a few weeks of ownership; recurred multiple times over service history
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power during acceleration; Check engine light illumination; Engine enters safety mode; Requires shutdown and computer reset to restore normal operation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer adjusted unspecified components; issue not fully resolved after three service visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer informed owner that engine enters safety mode to prevent damage, but provided no lasting fix.
Engine Stall / Complete Engine Failure
Vehicle stalled without warning. Engine failure diagnosed by dealership; replacement required. Occurred at 20,117 miles.
When: Approximately 20,117 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected stall while driving; No warning light prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required per dealership diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of failure.
Engine Knock with Main Bearing Damage
Metal-on-metal knocking sound after routine oil change. Sound prominent under load and at low speed. Dealership diagnosis points to main bearing failure at 34,000 miles on 2-year-old vehicle.
When: At approximately 34,000 miles, after oil change service
Symptoms owners cite: Metal-on-metal knocking sound; Noise more pronounced at low speeds; Noise worse under load
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership in Staunton, VA (Valley CMA Honda) diagnosing for 4 weeks; identified main bearing and oil pan area as source. Serious engine damage likely.
Loss of Power / Condensation in Intake Manifold (Cold Weather)
Severe power loss after 2 hours highway driving in 35°F weather. Check engine light flashing. Power restored after vehicle cooled. Dealer attributed to condensation in intake manifold in cold weather and stated Honda has been unable to resolve the issue.
When: After 2 hours of 70 mph highway driving in cold weather (35°F)
Symptoms owners cite: Severe power loss upon exit; Check engine light flashing; Power restored after cooling
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to replicate problem. No repair attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated this is a known issue to Honda but company has been unable to solve it.
Unwanted Forward Lurch on Steep Grade
Vehicle lurches forward unexpectedly in brief acceleration bursts when driving on steep grades. Occurred three times.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected forward lurch; Brief acceleration sorties while on steep grade
Auto Start/Stop Delay
Auto start/stop feature exhibits delay before engine restarts after full stop in traffic. Owner reports this impairs timing when accelerating into traffic and states all Honda vehicles show this issue.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Delay before engine restart after full stop; Impaired acceleration timing in traffic
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The auto start/stop feature has a delay before restarting the engine after full stop in traffic. This delay is dangerous. If you don't anticipate the slight delay before pressing gas pedal to move through traffic your timing is slightly impaired by this delay. All Honda vehicles seem to be experiencing this delay and are reporting and complaining about it.
Three times we have been driving the vehicle on a steep grade when the vehicle lurches forward in a short accelerated sortie.
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was inspected and determined that there was potential damage to the bearings and that the crankshaft and the short…
After driving on an interstate or four lane road for a while (cold weather) when I pull off an exit and start to accelerate the truck has no power and the check engine light is on. The dealer tells me that the engine goes into a safety mode so that it is not doing any damage to the engine. I have to safely pull over and shut truck off and it must reset computer. My problem is you do not know…
Loss of motive power. Temperature 35 f. Exited interstate after 2 hours of 70 mph. Upon exit, check engine light began flashing and power was diminished severely. After shutting vehicle down and letting it cool, it was normal. Dealer was unable to replicate the problem. Dealer says that it is an issue known to Honda, caused by condensation in the intake manifold in cold weather. Dealer…
Had engine trouble with your 2023 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 2023 Honda Ridgeline?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 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 11 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 34,506 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/2023/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.