Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Honda Ridgeline owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while his wife was driving through a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated upon the depression of the brake pedal without warning. Due to the failure, the contact's wife hit a brick column which resulted in a chip. The air bags deployed upon impact. The contact's wife suffered bruises around her waist and right thumb. The contact's wife did not seek medical treatment due to her injuries. A police report was not filed. The contact was called to the scene and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was repaired. Prior to the failure, the contact noticed that the brakes were soft upon depression without any warning. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was 23,706.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while the vehicle was parked inside the garage, the horn and panic alarm activated independently, and the headlights started flashing. The contact disconnected the battery to stop the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. An unknown software update was performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that when the windows were completely closed, there was a musty odor inside the vehicle. The contact was unsure where the odor was coming from. …
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while shifting into gear. While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle hesitated while shifting into gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a transmission center, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but there was no response. The failure mileage was approximately 61,500.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. A diagnostic test revealed codes for the catalytic converter efficiency below threshold Bank 2, and Bank 2 air-fuel ratio imbalance. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the dealer referenced NHTSA ID Number: 10187289 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
My 2019 Honda Ridgeline had very noticeable torque converter judder with milage in the 40k. I do not tow other than an occasional utility trailer, loaded lightly. Additionally, the vehicle was always operated in normal conditions. There were never any warning vehicle codes or any other Honda notices on potential problem. On 7/14/2023, I took it to a Honda dealer who verified condition in writing on invoice and serviced the vehicle in accordance with Honda Service Bulletins 17-025 and 17-026 which resulted from similar complaints and class action from 2017 Honda Ridgelines. After researching online, I noticed many 2018 and 2019 ridgeline owners were complaining about the same issue of premature transmission torque converter problems in various forums. This premature defective transmission issue did not go unnoticed by Honda as they changed to a different transmission for 2020 models. …
I have been to my Honda dealership four times for transmission issues and on the fourth trip to the dealer they were finally able to confirm the problem. My 2019 Ridgeline will kick/buck at about 27 miles per hour and will not shift into higher gears as I gain speed. When this occurs, my engine will operate at 4,000 RPM on the highway. There warning lamps when the transmission starts acting up. The some or all of the lamps will stay on for on or several days at a time and these include: Emission Systems Problem, Transmission Systems Problem and Blind Spot Info System Problem. My safety is at risk due to the fact the transmission does not shift and bucks and I cannot potentially accelerate in a normal manner which could lead to an accident. They have diagnosed the problem based on a computer code from the car to the service department. …
On 1-12-2024, without any previous warning, a message pop up on the screen inside my truck that there was a problem with the AWD system on my 2019 Honda Ridgeline. I took it into the Honda dealer 2 hours later and was told that the rear differential oil pump was not working. At that time I was not given a reason for the pump failure. I asked whether it would be covered under the drive train warranty and was told that the warranty had run out in June of 2023 and eventhough it only had 44,000 miles it would not be covered. They needed to order a part and I took the truck in for repairs on 1-18-2024. The problem message stayed on until repairs were done. It was not intermittant. When I got the bill it stated on the bill that the pump had failed due to "corrosion". …
My vehicle a 2019 Honda Ridgeline has an identified issue with the torque converter from the dealership. American Honda has a Service Bulletin 23-078 (listed below) that covers the exact same issue but my VIn falls short of being included in this identified and known issue. MULTIPLE Honda Ridgeline owners 2017-2019 with the 6AT have had these same issues. Service Bulletin 23-078 August 31, 2023 Version 1 Warranty Extension: 2017-19 Multi-Model 6AT Torque Converter - DTC P0741 Stored AFFECTED VEHICLES Year Model Trim VIN Range 2017-18 Pilot ALL w/ 6AT Check iN VIN status for eligibility 2017-19 Ridgeline BACKGROUND Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. …
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. …
(This incident report is for my replacement transmission, I have already submitted an incident report for my original transmission which also failed in the exact same manner.) 1. My replacement transmission started bucking and clanging and down shifted extremely hard while I was driving in traffic, I lost all power and the vehicle would not accelerate but the RPM's kept rising. 2. My safety was at risk because I lost power while in traffic and my vehicle became disabled on the road and I required the assistance of good Samaritans to help move my car off the road way, causing their safety to be at risk too. 3. My vehicle has been inspected by Honda. Their recommendation was to replace the original transmission, so I did, and the second transmission (the subject of this incident report) also failed, in the same manner. 4. …
Transmission complaints in other Ridgeline years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2019 Honda Ridgeline?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2019 Honda Ridgeline, 15% of the model year's 237 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2019 Honda Ridgeline transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2019 Honda Ridgeline, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2019 Honda Ridgeline transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.