2026 Honda Ridgeline

8 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

1. Filed Jul 30, 2026Failure Jan 1, 2026Warm Springs, GAExterior lighting

   The headlights auto-dimming feature on this vehicle does not work properly. While on during night driving, it will constantly switch from high beam to low beam, back and forth, every few seconds creating a strobe effect. The truck reacts to roadside signs as if they were oncoming cars and sometimes fails to dim light when cars are approaching. I have had it switch from low beam back to high when vehicles are quite close which causes the other driver to switch to high also which means neither of us can see well. Truck was purchased new from Mike Patton Honda, LaGrange, GA in December, 2025. I took it in to see if they could correct the problem and was told by the service guys that I was the only person who had ever complained about such a problem. They checked the truck over and said they could find no problems. A quick search online indicated that this problem began occurring with the 2020 Ridgeline and continues to be unchanged up the present. The puzzling aspect of the problem is that I also purchased a new Honda Accord about a week later and the auto-dimming feature in the Accord works very well with none of the problems that I have in the Ridgeline truck.

   NHTSA complaint 11753762
2. Filed Jul 19, 2026Failure Dec 27, 2025Mechanicsburg, PABody

   I am the owner of a 2026 Honda Ridgeline, which I have owned for approximately seven months. Since taking delivery, the vehicle has emitted a persistent, very strong chemical odor consistent with volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing. This is distinct from a mildew or air-conditioning-related odor; the smell is present throughout the cabin interior as well as in the truck bed well, and does not correlate with AC use. In an effort to resolve the issue, I have kept the vehicle parked outside (not in an enclosed garage), with the bed well left open and the windows down for extended periods to ventilate the interior. Despite these efforts over the seven-month period, the odor has not diminished to an acceptable level and remains strong. Exposure to the odor causes me to develop headaches and throat irritation. These symptoms occur during normal use of the vehicle and are directly attributable to the smell, not to any other known cause. I am requesting that this be formally investigated and documented as a defect, as the odor appears to stem from an interior or structural material issue rather than routine new-vehicle off-gassing, given that it has not resolved after seven months of ventilation efforts.

   NHTSA complaint 11751373
3. Filed Apr 23, 2026Failure Apr 21, 2026Hickory, NCAdaptive cruise control, Automatic emergency braking, AssistCrash1 injured

   Car was on the highway braking hard with the ACC even if the vehicle in front was atleast 4/5 car lengths away. Moved to the right lane to stop it and came up to a box truck and the car automatically broke very hard and LKA started jerking the wheel to the left lane causing the rear bumper to collide with the cars in the next lanes front bumper. My vehicle pit maneuvered into the median ditch and flipped once.

   NHTSA complaint 11733216
4. Filed Mar 27, 2026Failure Mar 9, 2026129 milesYorkville, ILExhaust system

   The contact owns a 2026 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that the vehicle was test-driven for two days prior to being purchased. The vehicle was then purchased brand new and was driven for 30 minutes to the residence, and was parked in the garage with the windows rolled up. The contact noticed that there was an abnormally strong odor coming from the inside and the outside of the vehicle. The contact experienced intermittent and persistent headaches, which the contact attributed to the vehicle's volatile organic compounds. The contact had scheduled an appointment with a medical Doctor. The dealer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The dealer offered to install an Ozone generator to absorb the strong chemical odor. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 129.

   NHTSA complaint 11727552
5. Filed Mar 23, 2026Failure Mar 2, 202620 milesPost Falls, IDAutomatic emergency steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic

   The contact owns a 2026 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated while driving 8 MPH on the highway, the vehicle started shaking and veered to the left while another vehicle was passing in the adjacent lane and slowed down independently. The brakes failed to work properly, and the vehicle skidded to a stop. The Automated Emergency Steering (AES) was engaged. The brake light and Active Safety System warning lights became illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer guided the contact in checking the Automotive Radar System. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20. The VIN was not available.

   NHTSA complaint 11726353
6. Filed Mar 3, 2026Failure Mar 2, 2026Lake butler, FLExterior lighting

   Automatic headlights have a delay in turning off the high beams that causes oncoming traffic to be subjected to high beams until they are way too close.

   NHTSA complaint 11721757
7. Filed Feb 9, 2026Failure Jan 15, 2026Ballston lake, NYExterior lighting

   The Auto High Beam features turns on and off indiscriminately, often going off on a dark section of road or staying on with oncoming traffic. This is dangerous as I lose clear vision of the road or the oncoming driver could be blinded by the light. The dealer admits that the feature, which is listed on the car sticker and in the manual, effectively does not work. Honda will say that it works as designed. In which case it is a faulty design. My Subaru Outback has the same feature that works flawlessly, so I do understand what proper operation is. Additionally this and other safety features are suppressed under 45 miles an hour. Typically the safety features are most valuable on single lane roads where the speed is less than 45 MPH.

   NHTSA complaint 11716710
8. Filed Jan 12, 2026Failure Jan 1, 2026Chesterfield, VAExterior lighting

   Auto dimming headlights, regardless of any changes settings will only engage the high beams a few seconds at a time regardless of current lighting conditions or light on the road. Even in the total lack of any extension light source the lights will change to high beams and a few seconds later revert to low beams

   NHTSA complaint 11710310