2021 Honda Ridgeline: engine knocking or ticking

6 of the 103 complaints about the 2021 Honda Ridgeline describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 6%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 15 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

2025
1
2024
2
2023
6
2022
2
2021
6
2020
5
2019
20
2018
15
2017
53
2007
1
2006
2

What owners say

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Engine · OH

With no warning engine started making a loud ticking noise and within a couple of days it was a loud knocking noise. Flashing check engine light came on and engine lost power. Shut down and restarted engine, knocking noise still there but check engine light is not flashing. Knocking noise is loud and vehicle cannot be driven. Mileage is around 170000 but has had regular oil changes. Mechanic has confirmed the engine knock and said not to drive it. Can't afford to replace the engine.

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Engine · TX

Driving home from work on a Friday about 1am and my engine started t knock and sputter and the engine light started flashing. Luckily I made it home. I let it sit for a minute and started it back up and it ran fine. I let it sit over the weekend I made an appointment the the dealership for the following Monday. On Monday it started fine to go to my dealer appointment but half way there every caution light imaginable came on and the info screen was scrolling failure of every system in the truck it seamed. Even the D for drive was flashing. It was knocking, sputtering with loss of power. Like it was in limp mode. Made it to the dealer and they said it was misfiring which caused the engine to come apart inside. 11K for a new engine or 8K for a used one with 46K miles. The truck only had 86,000 miles on it and has been always dealer maintained. We buy Hondas mostly for their reliability. Skeptical about buying another one

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Engine · 102,000 miles · AR

The contact's husband owns a 2021 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and made an abnormal knocking sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the timing belt, the water pump, and the tensioner pulley were replaced; however, the knocking sound persisted. The dealer determined that the lower bearing had failed, and the dealer recommended replacing the engine with a used engine. Additionally, the contact was advised that the oil pump was leaking and might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The manufacturer requested the vehicle service records. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Action Number: EA25004 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2025 · Engine · VA

I began to hear a knocking noise at 2500 to 3500 rpms and I immediately took my vehicle to the dealer who confirmed rod bearing damage.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Engine · TN

Engine began knocking from the bottom end at 53k miles. It was determined that a connecting rod bearing had failed and Honda is replacing my engine under warranty. No cost was incurred to me but I am adding my complaint because my VIN is not included in the recall for this exact problem in other years close to mine and the recall my need to be expanded to a wider range of VINs.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Engine · 52,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment while accelerating and there was a loud popping sound coming from the engine compartment shortly afterwards. The low oil level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to Firestone and was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle had not been repaired by Firestone but was instead towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the connecting rods had disconnected, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the repair was not covered under warranty due to the low oil levels. The contact confirmed that the low oil level warning light occurred during the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000.