Honda Ridgeline fire or smoke problems

Filed May 26, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NC · fire · 1 injury

My wife and I had decided to empty our storage unit, so on Memorial Day we began moving everything into the garage. After five or six trips Honda, I pulled the car up beside the RV and close to the house for what turned out to be the last load. I unloaded my bicycle and nearly everything else, leaving only a few small items, and then removed the massage table from the back seat. The engine was off this entire time. That was when I noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. At first, I thought the radiator had overheated, so I tried to open the hood, but it was too hot. I went into the garage for gloves and a fire extinguisher and tried again, but still could not get it open. Realizing the situation was getting worse and that I could not stop it there, I jumped into the car and tried to start it. To my surprise, it started immediately, and I drove it as fast as I could out to the street in front of the house. Only later did I realize that this likely saved my RV—and possibly the front of my house as well—from catching fire. We were so blessed that I was able to move the car to a safer location and no one was hurt. It was a miracle.

Filed Dec 18, 2025 · Engine · MA · fire

New 2025 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition with under 4k miles on it. Driving one day (10/30/25), smoke started to bellow out from the sides. Nothing on the dashboard indicated a problem. Everyone jumped out and was safe from injury. The truck went up in flames and literally blew up. We have a video of the incident. The truck was a complete loss, and it was difficult to deal with Honda, so we decided settle with the insurance company. Honda after a while stopped taking my calls and would put me on hold indefinitely if I call in. They were given permission to inspect the vehicle from the insurance agency but to my knowledge have not.

Filed Nov 10, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · 91,000 miles · TN · fire

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway unattended, for unknown reasons, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact had not experienced a failure with the vehicle prior to the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to an undisclosed recall related to engine and fuel pump. There were no reported injuries. The Fire Department was called and arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. The contact stated that a Police report was not filed. The vehicle was not yet towed from the scene. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2025 · Engine · 35,000 miles · CA · fire

The contact owned a 2022 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. The vehicle was unoccupied. The contact stated that the next-door neighbor knocked on the contact's door, screaming that the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that the fire originated from under the engine hood before the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department was called. The fire department extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. The contact stated that the vehicle remained in the contact's driveway, and the fire consumed the vehicle. The vehicle was melted down and almost spread to the contact's house. The contact stated that it would probably take special equipment to remove the vehicle from the contact's driveway. In addition, the contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, there were no warning lights illuminated and no issues with the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

Filed Aug 22, 2025 · Engine · CA

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 Jul 14, 2025 · Engine · WA

My 2019 Honda Ridgeline vehicle has less than 70,000 miles and we have always gotten our oil changed at the recommended times. The last time was about 2,000 miles ago at the Honda dealership. We also regularly check the oil. While driving down the interstate near where we live, the car engine suddenly stopped working and smoke came from the engine. Thankfully, we were in right lane and were able to coast it to the shoulder. We had the car towed to the nearest Honda dealership. For some reason which the Honda dealership won't disclose nor would corporate Honda, the piston in the engine blew two holes in the number 5 cylinder. This damage is consistent with the possible damage that a recent recall addressed. In that recall the piston bearings needed to be replaced. Although some 2019 Honda Ridgelines were included in that recall, our VIN number was not. There was also a recent investigation by the federal safety agency into similar instances involving similar damages and vehicles not being included in the baring recall. Although we were not hurt, if the highway had been more crowded or the car not in the right lane, we could have been seriously hurt. Furthermore, the engine will cost $17,548 to replace. After requesting assistance from the Honda through their goodwill program, we were denied. The car has not yet been repaired. We would like to request further investigation into this and similar instances. Thank you.

Filed Oct 29, 2024 · Engine · 156,000 miles · TX · fire

The contact owned a 2008 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the wheels got stuck in loose deep sand in a field. The husband drove the vehicle forward and backward attempting to get the vehicle unstuck. The contact stated that smoke and flames were coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that the smoke and fire seemed to be a chemical fire. The contact stated that the fire and flames came from underneath the doors. The contact and her husband exited the vehicle safely. The contact stated that after exiting the vehicle, there was an explosion under the hood. The local Fire and Police Departments arrived on the scene. The Fire Department extinguished the fire. The contact was unsure if a Police or Fire report had been filed. The contact stated that no report information was provided at the scene. The contact stated that the vehicle was engulfed in flames within minutes. The contact stated that the vehicle was burned to the ground. The vehicle was left at the location of the fire. The contact stated that no medical attention was needed; however, while the contact was picking up coins her pinkie and index finger on her right hand were burned. The contact stated that the ammunition for the deer hunting trip was in the vehicle and exploded. The contact stated that personal items such as cell phones, purses, and other personal items were burned in the fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

Filed Aug 6, 2024 · Engine · TX · fire

[XXX], driving under normal conditions, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline truck suddenly burst into flames from under the engine hood. No warning lights lit, only a loud and very sudden bang was heard. Only with the good fortune that other motorists flagged down my wife who was driving. She stopped immediately and they helped her escape from the truck, after she turned it off. The flames subsided but unaware of what was the issue, she called 911 emergency services, and seven firefighters arrived from opposite directions to ensure the truck would not explode or burn after a thorough investigation. The Orillia, Ontario OPP has this event recorded as they dispatched the 911 emergency call. The next day, we had the truck towed to a local garage and it was determined after some investigation that the engine has seized. It is now understood that a Honda Service Bulletin #23-097 includes the safety recall for our truck. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 20, 2023 · Engine · 90,000 miles · MO · fire

The contact owned a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that after parking on the side of the road and with the engine idling, a burning odor was present coming from the vehicle. Moments later smoke and flames were seen coming from the engine compartment which caused the hood to blow open. The fire department was immediately called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle and personal property inside the vehicle were destroyed. A police report and fire report were taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed to an undisclosed location. The cause of the fire was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the incident. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Oct 11, 2023 · Fuel system · FL

After driving through Lake Alfred and getting on I-4 heading NE bound toward Orlando, I noticed a very loud noise. I drove to the next exit a few miles down the road (the car seemed to handle fine), Exit 55 at Davenport FL. On the exit ramp, I began to smell burning rubber. After pulling over into the grass off of the exit ramp (to clear traffic) and coming to a complete stop - I smelt Gasoline. I killed the ignition and looked under the vehicle (see attachments). I immediately called 911 to get a fire truck - as to my surprise - I had a fuel leak right next to dragging metal (how this didn't ignite is beyond me - but I am grateful it did NOT ignite!). First fire truck arrived about 10min after calling 911and they requested a second truck be rolled out also. I did not know what was going on. Under the guidance of the Fire fighters - I called my insurance company to organize a Tow truck. I assumed something had caused undercarriage damage (although I did not distinctly recall hitting anything). State Farm organized to Tow it to their authorized repair station - who then advise they will not be repairing the vehicle due to an open Safety Recall. State Farm then had the vehicle towed to the nearest Honda Dealer in Winter Haven to investigate. I NEVER received a Recall Notice! I have had this vehicle since 2020 and it has been registered and tagged in BOTH Kentucky and Florida. Even with this - I never received a Recall Notice!!! I called America Honda 9/6 at 9:49am & spoke with Jessica. I inquired as to why they did not send me a Recall Notice. She stated that they only had me listed as an owner of a 2003 Accord (which I purchased in 2023). For some reason they did not have my Honda Ridgeline showing me as the registered owner? I was very upset by this. I spoke with a David at Winter Haven Honda and he said that the Dealership has sent the Inspection photos to America Honda. I'm still awaiting resolution to this Safety Recall Investigation.