Is the 2017 Honda Ridgeline a bad year?
348 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Ridgeline years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2017 Honda Ridgeline are in line with other Ridgeline years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Ridgeline owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 69,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 98 (28%) | 40k–97k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 93 (27%) | 19k–59k miles · mostly behind | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 46 (13%) | 8k–62k miles · mostly behind | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 42 (12%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 34 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 18 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 17 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 13 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 12 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 69,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 348 complaints: 3 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 1 reports an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
46 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2 weeks ago multiple warning lights came on when I started the vehicle (Power steering, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, trailer stability assist, emission control, etc.).
On february 4th, 2019, I parallel parked my vehicle at 9AM on the street. At about 4PM that day, the fire department notified me that my 2017 Honda ridgeline was on fire.
I started getting a p0306 code on my truck on Thursday Jan 2, 2025. I took it to my mechanic and he said that it is a lower engine problem.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 69,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Honda Ridgeline: 9
The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure. Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash. Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine. A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Opening and closing the tailgate may break the rearview camera wiring harness, causing the rearview camera to fail. An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving. A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
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. A separated panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash or injury.
Exposure to acids, such as from car wash soaps, can result in the fuel pump feed port cracking. A crack in the fuel pump feed port can allow pressurized fuel to leak out, increasing the risk of a fire.
Water may enter the rear wiring harness through the connector located under the truck bed drain hole, possibly causing the connection terminals to corrode. Corrosion of the wiring harness can cause increased electrical resistance, unexpectedly activating the vehicle stability assist (VSA) system, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 113
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Honda Ridgeline. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications
MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power
Vehicle shows Transmission Temperature Too Hot on the MID with no related DTCs due to ATF deterioration causing high foaming and low viscosity
Vehicle running rough or in low power mode with the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with one or more of the DTC listed below (in Qualifiers) stored
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Engine failure
Rear-View Camera Failure
Engine failure
Rear-View Camera Failure
Rear-View Camera Failure
Neighbouring years
2018 Ridgeline: 163 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda Ridgeline year
2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Ridgeline years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2017 Honda Ridgeline a bad year?
348 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Ridgeline years. At 69,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Honda Ridgeline?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (98), electrical system (93), fuel system (46), transmission and drivetrain (42), backup camera (34).
How many recalls does the 2017 Honda Ridgeline have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 26V-365), Air bags (NHTSA 26V-332), Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-858), Engine (NHTSA 23V-751) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.