The 2021 Honda Ridgeline with its J35 V6 is generally reliable, but suffers from a surprising number of transmission-related issues and some premature engine failures—unusual for modern Honda products but documented across the Gen 3 platform.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid mixing with coolant (strawberry milkshake fluid), Overheating transmission or engine, Harsh shifting or slipping, Check engine light with P0710 or P0868 codes
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler, flush both cooling system and transmission completely, sometimes requires transmission rebuild if contamination occurred. 8-12 hours labor if caught early, 20+ if transmission damaged.
Symptoms: Knocking or ticking from lower engine, Metal shavings in oil, Loss of oil pressure, Engine misfire or rough idle before catastrophic failure
Fix: Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system can cause oil starvation to cylinder 1 and 4. Requires full engine rebuild or short block replacement. 18-25 hours labor for short block swap.
Estimated cost: $6,000-$9,500
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive, Excessive vibration at idle, Visible sagging or torn rubber on mount, Harsh engagement into gear
Fix: Replace failed transmission mount, sometimes requires upper engine mount as well due to stress transfer. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $350-$650
Fuel Injector Clogging / Fuel System Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle or hesitation on acceleration, Misfires on multiple cylinders, Poor fuel economy, P0300 series misfire codes
Fix: Direct injection system prone to carbon buildup and injector fouling. Requires injector cleaning or replacement, sometimes walnut blasting intake valves. 4-6 hours labor for full service.
Estimated cost: $800-$1,800
Backup Camera Failure
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Intermittent or complete loss of backup camera display, Distorted or grainy image, Guidelines not displaying correctly, System takes long time to engage when shifting to reverse
Fix: Often caused by moisture intrusion in tailgate camera assembly or display unit failure. Camera replacement is 1.5 hours, display unit is 2-3 hours. Honda issued recall for some units.
Estimated cost: $400-$1,200
9-Speed Automatic Transmission Harsh Shifting
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 20,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh downshifts especially 3rd to 2nd, Hesitation or delay when accelerating from stop, Shuddering during light acceleration, Occasional flaring between gears
Fix: Software updates address some cases, but many require clutch pack replacement or valve body work. 6-10 hours labor for internal transmission work.
Estimated cost: $400-$3,500
Owner tips
Install a VCM disabler (VCMuzzler or similar) if keeping long-term to prevent VCM-related engine bearing damage—controversial but documented to help
Change transmission fluid every 30,000 miles instead of Honda's 'lifetime' recommendation—this 9-speed runs hot
Inspect transmission cooler lines and cooler itself at every oil change for seepage
Use Top Tier fuel and consider periodic fuel system cleaning to combat direct-injection carbon buildup
Buy a 2021 if you find one with documented frequent transmission services and ideally with VCM disabled by previous owner—otherwise the engine risk is too high for a truck this new.
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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BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 24V321000
2024-05-09 · PE24004
Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER · 24V064000
2024-02-01
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · 23V458000
2023-06-29
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
Consequence: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR · 21V900000
2021-11-18
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
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