Diagsheet

2017 Honda Ridgeline · symptom sheet

Rod bearing failure

  • 34owner reports
  • 84,000median miles
  • $1,000median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 14, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

34 of the 59 reports of engine failure on the 2017 Ridgeline describe rod bearing failure.

Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (59 reports)

Tick what matches of 34 reports

12
17
9
7
3
7

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the rod bearing (34 reports), the engine (4 reports) and the crankshaft (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

23V-751Nov 13, 2023
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

Risk and remedy
Risk: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Ridgeline

PE25-008opened Aug 20, 2025
Engine · model years 2017 to 2019

Engine failure. Open.

NHTSA summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline. The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013). It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with RQ24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751. Based on analysis of data from RQ24013, NHTSA has closed that investigation. The significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of RQ24013 presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
EA25-004opened Mar 26, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 2020 to 2025

No restart after auto start/stop engages. Open.

NHTSA summary
On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has review
RQ24-013opened Nov 8, 2024
Engine · model years 2017 to 2019

Engine failure. Closed aug 20, 2025.

NHTSA summary
On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature connecting rod bearing wear and engine seizure. While the out-of-scope failures involved in these complaints appear to have a very similar failure mechanism as the recalled engines, a thorough analysis of all available data from Honda has not indicated that the same manufacturing defect exists in the out-of-scope engines as the engines recalled by 23V-751. Based on this analysis ODI has determined that Honda has properly defined the scope of recall 23V-751. Consequently, ODI will close this RQ investigation. NHTSA will continue to investigate these complaints of engine failure as part of a new Preliminary Evaluation Investigation (PE25008). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.

What owners paid

11 of the 34 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $697 to $4,000.

$697$1,000$4,000
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 55,000 and 107,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.

123
1424
825
1126

What owners wrote

“Engine seized while driving on the highway. Diagnosed to be a failed rod bearing leading to catastrophic engine failure. Vehicle and engine have 84,000 miles. I have owned and driven it since new.”

Filed Apr 29, 2026 · 84,000 miles

“Engine failure at 95,000 miles due to connecting rod bearing failure. Honda Dealer has replaced engine with new short block. Engine was making a knocking noise during acceleration. Removal of the oil pan revealed a failed rod bearing on one cylinder and a discolored bearing on a second.”

Filed Jan 20, 2026 · 95,000 miles

“The connecting rod bearing failed, it is available for inspection. Caused engine failure on motorway. The vehicle was towed to residency and has not been inspected since engine failure. The vehicle was inspected the same day prior to the engine failing. The engine light came on a few seconds after the engine blew.”

Filed Jan 1, 2026

“Total engine failure on freeway. Huge amount of smoke came out of the engine and the vehicle died. Hole in engine block, piston parts and connecting rod found in oil pan. It is my understanding that some 2017 Honda Ridgeline vehicles were recalled for this same problem. All maintenance work was done per recommendation and at the dealer.”

Filed Aug 22, 2025

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 34 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

Other problems on this car