14 of the
294 complaints about the 2019 Honda Ridgeline are about the
braking system — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
3,000 miles.
While driving with the cruise control set at 52mph, I was coming to a known left curve with a stop sign four way intersection that follows it (I drive this route at least 50% of the time whenever leaving my home). I hit the 'Cancel' button to stop the cruise control as I came to the curve, and there was no response. I hit the brakes and again there was no response. At that point I prepared for a wreck because I knew the curve was tight, followed by that intersection's stop sign, and I was almost upon the curve. Continuing to try to apply brakes and getting no response, I could not hold the curve of the road and left the roadway to the right side. I narrowly avoided a lightpole, and then I was finally at the ditch of the crossroad already mentioned. The truck struck the ditch embankment facing me and likely launched airborn at that point, going across the first lane of the crossroad. After about the width of that lane, it appears that's when the front suspension landed, gouging the asphalt and deploying the airbag on me at that point. This seems to be when the braking system finally responded as I started to slow down some, as it bounced and jerked across the remaining lanes, leaving skid marks on that part of the road. I steered it between two signs on the far side, still barely under control but it finally slowing down into the 20s or so, where I had control and brought it to a stop. The vehicle had no known issues or ODBII scan codes prior to this incident. *After the incident*, there was an ABS system fault code present, and it also showed an ABS fault message on the vehicle information screen after the incident. I believe this could be related to the cruise control malfunction, as I know that the ABS system is often involved in modern cruise control systems to control hill descent speeds. The road section just prior to where I attempted to turn off the cruise control was on a slight hill descent, but I don't know if that was related to what happened to me.
NHTSA complaint #11676371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SERVICE BRAKES
A few weeks after I purchased a new 2019 Ridgeline I’ve noticed that brake pedal did not feel right. First what I noticed sometimes when I go to start the car the brake pedal is very hard, I have not experienced that with any other car. Then I noticed that when I’m on the light standing with the car running brake pedal sinks all the way to the bottom. Then I have to press the brake a few times for it to go back to normal hight. I took the car to a Honda Service on 6600 N Western in n Chicago back in 2019/2020 and they tested the car I’m not sure if they were able to reproduce same issues but they told me that the brake works fine. I got the car back, after I noticed when pressing brake there is a clicking sound coming from the brake pedal area not all the times sometimes, also noticed that sometimes it takes more pressure to apply to the brake in order for car to stop. At that time I looked online and I wasn’t able to find anybody reporting same issues. Now when I go online on Honda forums I see more people complaining about same or similar issues. I still own the car with only 38000 miles on it and still have same brake issues with it.
NHTSA complaint #11675276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tamuning, GU
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes suddenly became not effective. I would have to push hard on Brake pedal to stop the car even at a slow rolling speed. Luckily I didn't leave home very far. i check brake fluid level to be fine and didn't find any leaks. I had the car towed to an auto shop and they diagnosed the Brake booster and master cylinder needed to be replaced. I know there is a recall for brakes failing but didn't get any notification. The auto shop is ordering the parts needed but it may take several weeks. so I have to rent a car for the time being. Please let me know if there is reimbursement as I only have about 6,000 miles on i5
NHTSA complaint #11564531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lynnfield, MA
SERVICE BRAKES
Truck was parked for 5+ minutes in same stationary spot as it has been parked many time before in similar conditions and environment. Passenger front Door to vehicle was closed and truck somehow slipped a gear and brake and rolled away as shown in the video that recorded on my ring doorbell.
NHTSA complaint #11502571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Estes Park, CO
SERVICE BRAKES
2019 HONDA RIDGELINE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD SOFT/SPONGY BRAKES AND TO CORRECT THE SAFETY CONCERN THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER BOTH WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED, SO THE CONSUMER SOLD THE VEHICLE ON 07/27/22.
NHTSA complaint #11498528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesHanover, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED WHILE MAKING SUDDEN STOPS, OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE WHILE ON AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER APPLE HONDA LOCATED AT 1226 CARLISLE ST, HANOVER, PA 17331 WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE VACUUM PUMP HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA complaint #11406694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesAurora, COCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SOME BODY SORENESS BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE BUT THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11403692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesPflugerville, TXCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
HONDA RIDGELINE, 2019, HONDA SENSING, WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A BLDG, 1/2 WAY IN, THE SENSING, SENSED SOMETHING? THE BIG YELLOW LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH WITH THE WORDS "BRAKE", TRUCK COMES TO A COMPLETE HALT, I WAS SLIGHTLY JERKED FORWARD, THE TRUCK WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, 1/2 IN 1/2 OUT OR PARKING SPOT, DIAGONALLY, MY HANDS ON THE WHEEL, I THEN JUST LIGHTLY TOUCHED THE GAS PETAL TO MOVE FORWARD AND PARK, BUT THE TRUCK RESUMED TO FULL SPEED AND RAN ME INTO THE WALL, ABOUT 15 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON, THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT FLOORED, THE COMPUTER JUST TOLD IT TO RESUME THE SPEED. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, MY HANDS WERE HURT... I WAS ALONE ON THE STREET.
NHTSA complaint #11328564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesStockton, CACrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH, MY 2019 HONDA RIDGELINE'S AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN I HIT A 2015 FORD FOCUS THAT FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY AND CUT INFRONT OF ME. HONDA SENSING'S COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM AND FORWARD COLLISION WARNING FAILED TO ALERT ME AND FAILED TO STOP MY VEHICLE EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #11315889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,525 milesVoorhees, NJCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES PUSHED ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11193590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,400 milesBrockport, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND REQUIRES PUMPING TO RESTORE TO HALF WAY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN SNOWY CONDITIONS AND THE DEALER STATES THIS IS NORMAL FOR HONDA RIDGELINES. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP WITHOUT PUMPING THE BRAKES WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11181324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesGalloway, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES ARE EXTREMELY SOFT APPROACHING A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION.
NHTSA complaint #11174736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesDeer Park, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY MUSHY WITH QUITE A BIT OF TRAVEL AND IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #11151498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 236 milesAustin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
MY RIDGELINE BRAKES PROVIDE A FIRM SOLID BRAKE ACTION WITH VERY LITTLE PEDAL TRAVEL WHEN THE TEMP IS BELOW 70 BUT AFTER WARMUP, BOTH VEHICLE AND OUTSIDE AIR TEMP WARMS TO PLUS 70 DEGREES, THE BRAKES TURN INTO MUSHY SOFT AND EXTREMELY LONG PEDAL TRAVEL. THE HONDA ACCORD, CIVIC, ODYSSEY, AND CRV DO NOT DO THIS. THE ENTRY-LEVEL ACCORD HAS MOST OF THE SAME SYSTEMS THAT THE RL HAS. NO MATTER WHAT TRIM LEVEL YOU HAVE, 2WD OR AWD, WHEN TEMPS RISE ABOVE 70 THE BRAKES ARE FRUSTRATING POOR TO HORRIBLE. MY HONDA DEALERSHIP MANAGER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER BOTH DROVE MINE RL AND WE TEST DROVE SEVERAL OTHERS. THEY CONFIRM EXACTLY THE SAME BRAKING EXPERIENCES. THE POSITION OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT APPEARS TO BE THAT HONDA INTENDED TO MAKE THE RL WITH INCONSISTENT, TEMP SENSITIVE AND EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL AS "OKAY" WHEN THE CLIMATE BECOMES WARM TO HOT. THIS CONDITION IS UNACCEPTABLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES WITH THIS COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #11149743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.