The 2018 Honda Ridgeline with the J35Y6 V6 is generally reliable, but suffers from a serious VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) oil consumption defect that can destroy engines, plus a fuel pump recall and transmission cooler failures that Honda knows about but hasn't always covered generously.
VCM Oil Consumption / Premature Engine Wear
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart per 1,000 miles, especially on highway trips, Blue smoke on cold start or acceleration, Fouled spark plugs (especially cylinders 1, 2, 3), Check engine light for misfire codes, Knocking/ticking from piston slap if oil gets critically low
Fix: Honda's VCM system sticks rings and scores cylinder walls on affected engines. Official fix is short-block replacement (pistons, rings, cylinder honing, bearings) at 18-25 labor hours. Some dealers have done goodwill coverage up to 120k miles under case-by-case basis, but many owners pay out-of-pocket. VCM disable devices (ECU tune or mechanical) can prevent progression if caught early but don't reverse existing damage.
Estimated cost: $6,500-9,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking from radiator area or cooler lines, Pink fluid on ground (ATF mixing with coolant), Harsh shifting or slipping if coolant enters transmission, Overheating warnings if significant fluid loss, Milky transmission fluid on dipstick (coolant contamination)
Fix: The rubber/metal crimp joints on factory cooler lines crack. If coolant mixes into transmission before you catch it, you need full flush and possibly valve body work. Caught early, it's just cooler line replacement at 2-3 hours. Honda extended warranty coverage on some VINs but not all 2018s qualify—check with dealer service.
Symptoms: No-start or engine dies while driving, Stumbling/hesitation under load, Limp mode or reduced power warnings, Fuel pump whine or complete silence when key is turned
Fix: Defective Denso low-pressure fuel pump impellers can crack and fail suddenly. This is a safety recall—Honda replaces the pump assembly at no cost. Takes about 2.5 hours; requires dropping the tank. If your VIN is affected and it hasn't been done, get it scheduled immediately before you're stranded.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall), $800-1,200 (if you paid before recall or out of warranty)
Rear Differential Fluid Leak
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Gear oil spots under rear of truck, Whining or growling from rear axle, especially in turns, Burnt gear oil smell after highway driving
Fix: Pinion seal or axle seals weep on AWD models. If caught early, it's just a seal job (1.5-2.5 hours depending on which seal). If run low on fluid, you risk chewing up bearings and gears—then you're into a full differential rebuild or replacement at 8-12 hours.
Symptoms: No image when shifted into reverse, Intermittent black screen or static on display, Delayed image appearing (3-5 seconds after shift)
Fix: Water intrusion corrodes camera connections. Honda recall covers camera replacement at no charge—simple 0.5 hour swap. Not a breakdown issue but safety-related for visibility. Check if your VIN is affected and get it done.
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle in gear, Excessive engine movement visible when revving in Park
Fix: The upper transmission mount (torque mount) wears faster than previous generations—rubber cracks and separates. Replacement is straightforward, 1.5-2 hours with basic hand tools. Aftermarket units hold up as well as OEM. Not critical but makes the truck feel sloppy.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500 miles religiously—VCM oil consumption kills engines silently; catch it early and consider a VCM disable tune
Inspect transmission cooler lines annually for seepage; replace proactively at 70k miles if you plan to keep the truck long-term
Verify fuel pump and backup camera recalls completed using your VIN on Honda's owner site before purchase
Change rear diff fluid at 50k intervals on AWD models; it's cheap insurance against seal-leak damage
Avoid extended idle time in cylinder-deactivation mode (sitting in traffic)—VCM burns oil worst under light load
Solid truck if the engine hasn't developed oil consumption yet—inspect carefully, check service records for short-block replacement or oil-consumption complaints, and walk away if it's burning oil without documentation of a fix.
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 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 22V867000
2022-11-23 · PE22001
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ridgeline vehicles. Opening and closing the tailgate may break the rearview camera wiring harness, causing the rearview camera to fail.
Consequence: An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2023. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is 6RW.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD · 21V932000
2021-11-29
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
Consequence: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
EQUIPMENT · 20E068000
2020-09-17
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling all Honda Genuine Accessory Tonneau Covers, part number 08Z07-T6Z-100F, sold for installation on 2017-2020 Ridgeline trucks. If the tonneau cover is not properly secured in the open or closed position, wind resistance may cause the cover to flip and buckle. If this occurs, the hinges between the center and rear panel may deform, possibly allowing the rear panel to separate from the vehicle.
Consequence: A separated panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash or injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify all registered owners of 2017-2020 Honda Ridgelines, and dealers will install tethers onto any Honda Genuine Accessory Tonneau Cover to prevent panel separation and apply warning labels, free of charge. In addition, an updated accessory user's information manual will be provided. The recall began October 26, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is F8M.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ridgeline trucks. Exposure to acids, such as from car wash soaps, can result in the fuel pump feed port cracking.
Consequence: A crack in the fuel pump feed port can allow pressurized fuel to leak out, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, if necessary, and install a fuel pump cover, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall number for this recall is Q3V.
SEATS · 18V221000
2018-04-05
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivets. In the event of a crash, the rivets can break causing the seats not to be secured to the floor. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the floor, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is D0S, and T0T.
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