2021 Honda Ridgeline problems: what to check before you buy
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns to check, the newest filed in 2026, plus 101 owner complaints, the second-fewest of the seven Ridgeline model years in our 2015–2022 collection, with the engine (28) named most often. Before you buy one, run its VIN through NHTSA's free recall lookup; the $14.99 original ClearVIN PDF shows title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file.
Buying this 2021 Ridgeline? Enter its VIN.
The decode is free. The original ClearVIN PDF is $14.99 one time, with no account: title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file for that VIN. Check open recalls with NHTSA’s free VIN lookup.
Title brands · Odometer records · Auction history, where reported
No subscription. No charge to check the VIN. Report contents vary by vehicle; applicable tax is shown at checkout.
See what the paid report includes →NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline, alongside 101 owner complaints filed with the agency, most often about the engine. Eligible recall remedies are generally free through the manufacturer's approved repair process, even after the warranty ends; some software remedies are delivered remotely. Federal no-charge coverage has an age limit for vehicles first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice; manufacturers may cover older vehicles voluntarily. Check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.
Half of the 12 NHTSA owner complaints on the 2021 Honda Ridgeline that list mileage came after 19,000 miles (NHTSA complaints file of November 11, 2026). How many miles will a Honda Ridgeline last? →
One VIN. One $14.99 history report.
For $14.99, VIN Lookup delivers an original ClearVIN vehicle-history PDF for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline VIN you enter: title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file. ClearVIN is on the U.S. Department of Justice’s list of approved NMVTIS data providers; VIN Lookup sells that original report. The records returned vary by VIN.
The VIN decode is free. No card is needed until you choose to buy; applicable tax is shown at checkout. A missing record is not proof that an event never happened.No account · Refund reviewed if not delivered, unopenable or wrong VIN by our error · Sold by VIN Lookup (SH LLC, Sheridan, WY)Original provider PDF
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What to check before buying a used 2021 Ridgeline
Model-year data describes the production run, not the car in front of you: two cars of this model year can differ entirely, one with every recall repaired and the other with none. The counts below are from NHTSA data collected on 2026-09-15.
- Verify the 7 recall campaigns by VINCopy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label, not from the listing, and run it through NHTSA's free recall lookup. It shows unrepaired recalls within its coverage and does not show completed repairs, so ask the seller for dated repair paperwork. The campaigns cover the body structure, the airbags, the rear-view camera, the brakes and more. 2 of the 7 were filed in 2025 or 2026 and have had the least time to be repaired.
- Test-drive for what Ridgeline owners report most28 of the 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine: on the drive, start it cold, listen for knocking or ticking, watch for warning lights and smoke, and look for oil or coolant leaks. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not proven defects, but they show where to look.
- Check the title and odometer in the history reportRecall and complaint data describe the 2021 production run, not this car's past. The VIN decode here is free; the $14.99 original ClearVIN PDF lists title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file for that VIN. Records vary by vehicle, and a missing record does not prove nothing happened.
- Book an independent pre-purchase inspectionHave a mechanic you choose inspect this Ridgeline before you buy, and ask them to look hardest at the engine, the electrical system and forward collision avoidance.
Is the 2021 Ridgeline a good truck to buy used?
NHTSA's records cannot rate one used 2021 Honda Ridgeline; they can show how this model year compares with the other Ridgeline years in this site's 2015–2022 NHTSA collection. The 2021 has 101 owner complaints on file; of the seven Ridgeline model years in this site's 2015–2022 NHTSA collection (2015–2022), five drew more and one drew fewer. The median of the Ridgeline years with enough complaints to compare is 164. The 2017 stands out instead, at 337. Its 7 recall campaigns compare with 0 to 12 across the Ridgeline years in the 2015–2022 collection; the 2019 has the most. These counts track how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they rank years within the Ridgeline, not build quality; whether one 2021 Ridgeline is a good buy depends on its own history and condition.
Which 2015–2022 Ridgeline years have the most complaints?
Among the seven Ridgeline model years in this site's 2015–2022 NHTSA collection, the 2017 has the most owner complaints, 337. The 2021 has 101. Older and better-selling years have had more time and more owners to file reports.
2021 Honda Ridgeline recalls and reported problems at a glance
What owners report most
These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Honda Ridgeline. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.
| Vehicle system | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 28 |
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 15 |
| Exterior Lighting | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Power Train | 11 |
Recall campaigns for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline
Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. An eligible remedy is generally free through the manufacturer’s approved process, which may be an authorized service visit or remote software update. Federal no-charge coverage has a 15-year first-sale limit measured at the recall notice; manufacturers may cover older vehicles voluntarily. A campaign covers a production range. Check the VIN for open recalls within NHTSA’s coverage; confirm applicability and completed repairs with the manufacturer or an authorized dealer.
| Campaign | Component | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 26V365000 | STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minn… |
| 26V332000 | AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022… |
| 24V321000 | BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA | 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. |
| 24V064000 | AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER | 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 R… |
| 23V458000 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 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, … |
| 23V174000 | VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR | 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 requirem… |
| 21V900000 | SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR | 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 sy… |
What this data cannot tell you
- A complete recall or repair history for one vehicle. NHTSA’s VIN lookup covers unrepaired recalls within its scope; confirm missing campaigns and completed work with the manufacturer or an authorized dealer.
- Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
- How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
- Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Primary sources behind this page
Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.
- Recalls Lookup by VINNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Vehicle recall remedy age limitNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall and complaint datasets: scope and API documentationNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Vehicle Product Information Catalog (vPIC)National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 26V365000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 26V332000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 24V321000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 24V064000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 23V458000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 23V174000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 21V900000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Approved NMVTIS Data Providers — checked October 26, 2026U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance
The 2026-09-15 data collection queried these NHTSA model names for 2021 Honda: RIDGELINE. Records appearing under more than one name are counted once. The documentation explains the collection endpoints; a campaign link opens its official record across all affected vehicles, not the recall status of a specific VIN.
2021 Honda Ridgeline questions
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Honda Ridgeline?
Check the 7 NHTSA recall campaigns against the car's VIN with NHTSA's free lookup and ask for dated repair paperwork. Owners name the engine most often in 101 complaints; those are unverified reports, not proven defects, but they show what to test on the drive. Recall data says nothing about this car's past: the $14.99 original ClearVIN PDF lists title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file for the VIN. Finish with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Ridgeline have?
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls covering the 2021 Honda Ridgeline as of 2026-09-15. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.
What are the most common 2021 Honda Ridgeline problems?
Owners most often report problems with the engine, the electrical system and forward collision avoidance to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.
Are Honda recall repairs free?
Generally, yes for eligible vehicles, even after the warranty ends. Federal law limits the required no-charge remedy when a vehicle was first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice; a manufacturer may still cover an older vehicle voluntarily. Check the VIN with the manufacturer for the approved remedy, which may be a dealer visit or a remote software update.
Can I check recalls on a specific 2021 Honda Ridgeline VIN?
Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports unrepaired recalls within its coverage. It excludes completed repairs and can omit some recent recalls, older campaigns and vehicles outside its coverage. A zero result is not a complete recall or repair history. Ask the seller or manufacturer for dated repair documentation.