2014 Honda Ridgeline Common Problems & Defect Telemetry
Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 34 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 7 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.
The 2014 Honda Ridgeline receives a 6.7/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 34 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 7 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports with a median failure point at 55,000 miles (IQR: 35,000 – 75,000 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $400 – $1,200 .
6.8 complaints / 10k sold
Verified US federal records
Crash, fire & stall audit
7 Active / Free Remedies
Top Reported Problem Clusters (6)
Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports
- SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
- Seat belt retractor lockup
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURERS RECALL CONCERNING THE AIR BAGS AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SP...”
“"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE A LETTER THAT SAYS THIS WOULD BE RESOLVED IN THE SUMMER OF 2016. IT IS NOW FALL. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY PARTS. WHAT IS GOING ON ? YOU SAY IN YOUR LETTER THAT THIS COULD BE FATAL, AND YOU JUST DRAG YOUR FEET. I...”
“I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL MARCH 2016. DEALER STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS. NO ONE KNOWS WHEN TO EXPECT THEM. CORPORATE HOT LINE WAS NO HELP. HONDA SHOULD FACE SOME SORT OF FINANCIAL PENALTY FOR THIS LACK OF CONCERN.”
Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports
- Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
- Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
- Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
“Backup camera became intermittent then failed completely. Display (left side of rear view mirror) shows only a blue screen with no image. It makes backing up difficult.”
“ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCK MECHANISM DOES NOT WORK USING THE KEY FOB LOCK.”
“RODENTS CHEWED THROUGH WIRING ON A WHEEL SENSOR FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT HONDA HAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE FOR USING SOY BASED INSULATION ON WIRES IN 2012-2015 YEAR MODELS.”
Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports
- Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
- Abnormal oil burning / consumption
- Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
- Engine overheating / coolant loss
“Hight Pressure Steering line failed causing steering failure and oil spraying over the engine and manifold, causing extreme smoke under the hood and possible fire in the engine compartment.”
“WHILE DRIVING , APPLIED BRAKE AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR CAR WOULD NOT STOP! REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER (TYPICAL REPAIR) THIS DID NOT FIX ISSUE. IM AM TOLD THE THE ABS MODULATOR CAUSED THIS FAILURE. THE MASTER CYLINDER IS UNDERSTANDABLY A DANGEROUS FAILURE POINT HOWEVER I...”
“IN DECEMBER 2016 I BEGAN TO NOTICE BILLOWING CLOUDS OF BLUE SMOKE FROM MY EXHAUST PIPE ON STARTUP. ON WATCHING THE PROBLEM FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS I NOTICED THAT IT HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY, USUALLY (BUT NOT ALWAYS) WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD. FOLLOWING THE INITIAL BLUE CLOU...”
Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports
- Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
- ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
- Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
“There was significant water infiltration on left side front at location around and below fuse block and parking brake. Soaked insulation up to driver side seat and back to the windshield on the same side were noted. Water infiltration after heavy rain was severe enough to caus...”
“SINCE JANUARY I HAVE STEPPED ON THER BRAKE PEDAL AT LEASE 6 TIMES AND THE PEDAL HAS GONE ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. I RELEASE THE PEDAL AND IT CAME BACK UP TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION. THE DEALER DID BRAKE MAINTENANCE ON THE FRONT. SAID THE PADS WERE STICKING. RECOMENDED NEW PADS AND R...”
“WHILE DRIVING , APPLIED BRAKE AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR CAR WOULD NOT STOP! REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER (TYPICAL REPAIR) THIS DID NOT FIX ISSUE. IM AM TOLD THE THE ABS MODULATOR CAUSED THIS FAILURE. THE MASTER CYLINDER IS UNDERSTANDABLY A DANGEROUS FAILURE POINT HOWEVER I...”
Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports
- Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
- Steering wheel pull or highway wander
- Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
“Hight Pressure Steering line failed causing steering failure and oil spraying over the engine and manifold, causing extreme smoke under the hood and possible fire in the engine compartment.”
“There was significant water infiltration on left side front at location around and below fuse block and parking brake. Soaked insulation up to driver side seat and back to the windshield on the same side were noted. Water infiltration after heavy rain was severe enough to caus...”
Fuel Pump Pressure Loss & Fuel Delivery Defect Reports
- Sudden loss of propulsion power at highway speeds
- Extended engine cranking / failure to restart
- Fuel odor near fuel tank / engine bay
“Safety Recall for rear subframe rust was "performed" at local dealer. Quality of work was questioned in that safety recall indicated dealer would removed corrosion on said subframe and apply anti-corrosive wax. Dealer notes they applied some anti-corrosive wax and some underco...”
Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (7)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
Summary: 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."
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Summary: 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.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2014 Honda Ridgeline
Before purchasing a used 2014 Honda Ridgeline, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:
Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).
Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.
Verify that all 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.
Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.
Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2014 Honda Ridgeline
Is the 2014 Honda Ridgeline a reliable used car?
The 2014 Honda Ridgeline earns a 6.7/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 34 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.
What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2014 Honda Ridgeline?
The leading complaint category is Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports, with a median failure point around 55,000 miles (IQR: 35,000 – 75,000 mi).
Are there free recall repairs available for the 2014 Honda Ridgeline?
Yes, the NHTSA records 7 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.