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Honda Ridgeline door locks problems

17 of the 2,245 owner complaints about the Honda Ridgeline describe doors won't lock, open or latch, most of them for the 2023 model year.

owner complaints
17
worst model year
2023
typical mileage
7,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2023
    5
  • 2020
    1
  • 2018
    1
  • 2017
    2
  • 2014
    2
  • 2010
    1
  • 2007
    2
  • 2006
    3

Often reported together

Won't start 1

Trouble codes mentioned

B12C5 1

What owners say

Filed Feb 13, 2025 · SC

Inner door handles on the driver and passenger side front doors intermittently get stuck and require me to hit the unlock button to operate or require significant force to pull open hindering safe egress. Problem was reproduced by service technician and advisor when picking up vehicle from an appointment on [XXX]. No warning lights were received. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 1, 2024 · Electrical · KS

Initially the car would not turn on. We were able to start it but then the engine would not turn off. Shop indicated that the Body Control Module is faulty. Honda of Olathe has the component that malfunctioned as of today 11/1/2024. My understanding is that this system controls door locks, windows, lights, turn signal, horn, etc. Malfunction of some of these systems may put my safety or the safety of others at risk. There was a warning message indicating "Keyless Start System Problem".

Filed May 3, 2024 · Locks · 100 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that on several occasions while the rear seat was occupied, the rear passenger’s side door would not open manually from the inside. The contact stated that she had to press the unlock button on the driver's door and physically open the door. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100.

Filed Apr 29, 2024 · Body · GA

Both Drivers and Passenger doors won't unlock or open without significant' force. This only occurs sometimes but has happened many times over the last year. I have had witnesses (son's) in the car when this happens. It seems like the door locking solenoid is holding the doors locked and both pulling the handle and tryin to flip the unlock switch are difficult. The risk here is in a crash or fire, someone without strength, won't be able to exit the vehicle. I video'd this on 27Apr24 (can provide if requested).

Filed Aug 20, 2023 · LA

2nd time to Honda of Covington for the passenger door will not manually unlock or open with inside door handle UNLESS you push the electric unlock button 1st. [XXX] , the service writer, said it was a safety feature and wrote it on my repair order and hasn’t had the service manager come out to the vehicle with me as requested as this is a safety problem, loose battery power and your passenger cannot get out. I showed [XXX] a memo I found on this site saying that Honda wants all reports of this problem sent to them, [XXX] won’t acknowledge the report. I am making myself a nuisance and now [XXX] said someone will call me Monday August 21st. I called Honda and they said, “we have no reports of this problem but will give you a case number”. That number is [XXX]. I don’t understand why no one cares? If we get in a wreck and loose battery power the passenger door will not open and one can only hope my wife is not injured to the point where she can’t crawl over the center console to exit on the driver’s side. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 14, 2023 · LA

We purchased our new 2023 Ridgeline RTL-E 4 six months ago and always noticed that the passenger inside door handle wouldn’t open the door unless we pushed the unlock button, the driver’s door works normally. We thought this might be a new safety thing until we tried to manually unlock the passenger door today and could not, meaning the passenger door can only be opened inside if you electronically unlock the door. That’s concerning…if we loose battery power in a wreck, you cannot get out the passenger door!! We are calling the dealer in the morning to get this addressed.

Filed Jun 15, 2023 · OK

The component I will be writing about is the front, passenger door locking feature (interior side). I have taken my vehicle to the Honda dealership for inspection. I have also checked New Honda Ridgelines on the lot and found this same locking feature doesn't work the same in each vehicle. This means, in my opinion, that this issue is coming right out of the factory. This problem is easily reproduced. So here is the problem and is only affected on the passenger front door (interior side). The driver's side front door locking feature works without issue. When after manually locking the front passenger door by sliding and pushing in the lock, you are able to open the door by using the interior door handle without issue. The problem is when you use the POWER lock button on either side of the vehicle to lock all the doors. On the driver's side, you can open the door using the handle without issue. On the front passenger side, when pulling the handle ( to open the door), the handle moves a bit, then is physically stopped by something inside the door causing you to be UNABLE to open the door. In addition to this, you cannot slide the lock to the open position so that you can open the door. So if you used the power button to lock the doors, then got in an accident and the power was disabled, you could be trapped on the passenger side and would really be a problem if a fire had started. The dealership loaned me a 2022 Honda Pilot, and it has the same issue as my truck.

Filed Mar 8, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · CA

After arriving home and turning off the vehicle, there was a lot of flickering of the lights and clicking noises in the engine. The dash displayed all emergency startup lights and performed the following message on the dash, "Keyless Start System Error." I took it to the dealer who ran a diagnostic, and provided me the diagnostic paperwork showing 4 codes in the Security, Power Control Unit, Mode Menu, Lighting, Keyless Transmitter, Gauges, and door locks. The dealer confirmed that this was in no relation to the recent recall of the Ridgeline Keyless Start System Error with DTC B12C5 and that the Keyless System Main Control Unit failed, part number 38320-T6Z-A21. I had to replace the unit and am now out of pocket quite a bit of money. I have reported the issue to Honda directly and hoping a refund will be provided. I am the original owner of this 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTS 2WD model and have only 34, 358 miles on it. Never had I experienced any electrical issues and furthermore I shouldn't have them for a five year old truck with less than 35k on it. I was lucky that I was not driving, or it could have been worse possibly. The dealer kept the defective component and was able to identify the issue and repair it quickly. No other issues had ever occurred on this truck and this was random.

Filed Jun 4, 2019 · Electrical · VA

Electrical door lock mechanism does not work using the key fob lock.

Filed Feb 1, 2017 · Electrical · 7,000 miles · WI

After sitting for two hours, in wet slushy conditions came out to start the car, dash lights (warning icons) flashing at very high rate of speed. Dome lights barely on very dim light car had a extreme power draw (short). Would not start and could not get anything to work but door locks from inside of the vehicle, fob would not do anything. Honda roadside called and vehicle towed to david hobbs honda. When removed from the tow truck vehicle started and worked as it should, dealer found nothing wrong, kept it and second day and found nothing wrong and had me pick it back up. Was told when it happens again call us. Not happy with unreliable 2017 honda ridgeline!!!! I feel it is likely the same electrical draw caused by your recall for under truck bed electrical harness that I had to inform dealer about, but was told nothing can be done until honda sends me a recall letter and they are not allowed to contact honda to report the condition. I think by VIN is not included in your recall, but believe its only because others have not reported this type if issue yet! Vehicle sitting in parking lot, when I attempted to start and that is when issue came to be. I have about 7000 miles on it now.

Related recalls

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latchReported November 29, 2021 · 724,826 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
Risk
A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.

Recall number 21V932000 · Recall details

Questions about the Honda Ridgeline door locks

Which Honda Ridgeline years have doors won't lock, open or latch problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2023 (5 complaints), 2006 (3 complaints) and 2007 (2 complaints).

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