The 2014 Ridgeline uses Honda's reliable J35 V6 and a generally solid 5-speed automatic, but this generation (2006-2014) suffers from specific weaknesses: VCM cylinder deactivation causing oil consumption and eventual engine damage, aging transmission cooler lines that fail catastrophically, and the dreaded Takata airbag recalls that can ground the vehicle until fixed.
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), Rough idle when VCM activates, Fouled spark plugs on cylinders 1, 4, 6, Check engine light for misfires, Eventually leads to piston ring wear, scored cylinder walls
Fix: Early intervention: VCM Muzzler device to disable cylinder deactivation ($300-400 installed) plus catch-can installation (2 hrs labor). Advanced cases require engine rebuild with new pistons and rings (18-24 hrs labor), or short block replacement (20-28 hrs). Many owners install VCM disable device preventively.
Estimated cost: $400-8,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leak under vehicle, often at radiator connection, Rapid fluid loss leading to transmission slipping or failure, Pink fluid puddle (ATF mixing with coolant is catastrophic), Loss of gears, delayed engagement
Fix: Replace both hard and rubber cooler lines preventively when one fails (3-4 hrs labor). If ATF contaminated coolant, requires transmission flush, radiator flush or replacement, and cooler line replacement. Delayed repair destroys the transmission.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Takata Airbag Inflator Recalls (NHTSA Multiple)
Common · high severity
Symptoms: Recall notice from Honda, SRS light may or may not illuminate, High humidity climates see higher failure rates, Inflator can explode sending shrapnel into cabin
Fix: Both driver and passenger airbag inflators affected across multiple recall campaigns. Dealer-only repair, parts availability has been intermittent since 2014. Vehicle legally cannot be sold in many states until completed. Check VIN at Honda recall site before purchase. Repair is free but scheduling can take weeks.
Estimated cost: $0
Front Transmission Mount Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle, especially with A/C on, Visible sagging or torn rubber on mount inspection, Excessive engine movement during acceleration
Fix: Replace front transmission mount, sometimes rear engine mount as well (2.5-3.5 hrs labor for both). OEM Honda mounts recommended over aftermarket for longevity. Common enough to inspect during any major service.
Estimated cost: $400-650
In-Tank Fuel Filter Clogging (High-Mileage)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting after sitting, Hesitation under acceleration, Fuel pump whine more audible, Check engine light for lean codes (P0171/P0174)
Fix: Honda doesn't list in-tank strainer as serviceable part, but can be accessed with fuel pump module removal (2.5-3 hrs labor). Many techs replace entire pump assembly for reliability. Non-ethanol fuel and quality gas延 extends life considerably.
Estimated cost: $450-800
Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Recall & Related Issues
Rare · medium severity
Symptoms: Throttle sticking or not returning to idle, Check engine light with throttle position codes, Cruise control not engaging, Intermittent high idle
Fix: NHTSA recall for accelerator pedal assembly. Dealer replacement is free. Post-recall, some units still develop sensor drift over time requiring out-of-pocket replacement (1.5 hrs labor). Always verify recall completion on used purchase.
Estimated cost: $0-350
Owner tips
Install a VCM Muzzler or VCM Tuner device immediately if buying used—it's the single best investment to prevent catastrophic engine damage on these J35 motors
Inspect transmission cooler lines thoroughly during purchase inspection; replace preventively if any seepage or age cracking visible
Run 0W-20 synthetic oil and change every 5,000 mi max to combat VCM-related oil consumption—don't follow the 7,500 mi interval
Verify all Takata airbag recalls completed before purchase—some take months to get parts, making the truck unusable
Check frame for rust if from salt-belt states; the boxed frame holds moisture and can rot from inside out (2014 had a frame recall for earlier years, inspect carefully)
A solid truck if the VCM issue is addressed proactively and recalls are complete, but walk away from any high-mileage example burning oil or with unknown maintenance history—engine rebuilds cost more than the truck's worth.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles that were sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. An accumulation of road salt may cause the frame mounting surface, where the fuel tank mounting bands are attached, to corrode and possibly detach the fuel tank, which can result in a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the rear frame, as necessary, free of charge. Depending on the extent of any corrosion damage, Honda may offer to repurchase the vehicle. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is LCD.
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."
Consequence: If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 19V500000
2019-06-27 · EA15001
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles.
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 19V501000
2019-06-27 · EA15001
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles.
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 19V182000
2019-03-06 · EA15001
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 18V662000
2018-09-27 · EA15001
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles nationwide. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2012 Acura RL, 2011 Honda Element and 2011-2013 Ridgeline vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Lastly, if not included above, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2011 Honda Element, 2010-2012 Acura RL and 2010-2013 Ridgeline vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are H2H and S2I.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 16V061000
2016-02-03 · EA15001
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
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