2025 Honda Ridgeline Problems: Brake, Headlight & Other Issues Explained
Analysis of reported issues affecting the 2025 Honda Ridgeline, based on Lemberg Law’s internal data, NHTSA reports, consumer feedback, and industry sources.
The 2025 Honda Ridgeline positions itself as a unique midsize pickup truck featuring a unibody design from the reliable Japanese auto manufacturer. This article investigates the most common complaints using National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports, consumer feedback, and internal data to provide a comprehensive look at Ridgeline problems for current owners. We also briefly touch on how Lemon Law protections may apply to recurring vehicle issues.
Most Common Problems with the 2025 Honda Ridgeline
Analysis of complaint data highlights recurring concerns among 2025 Ridgeline owners. The top five problems reported are as follows:
Automatic High Beam Headlight Malfunctions – Erratic functioning and safety risks on dark roads
Brake and Pedal Issues – Soft or spongy brake pedals causing stopping delays
Collision Mitigation and Adaptive Cruise Control Failures – False alarms and inconsistent braking
Transmission Delays and Shifting Problems – Delayed gear engagement and harsh shifting
Infotainment and Safety System Errors – Bluetooth pairing and blind spot alerts malfunctioning
Several other complaints, including engine oil consumption, turn signal volume, and service delays at dealerships, have also been noted but appear less frequently.
2025 Honda Ridgeline Complaint Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Exterior Lighting
12
12
Electrical System
6
6
Unknown Or Other
6
6
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
5
5
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
Top Problem #1: Malfunctioning Automatic High Beam Headlights
The automatic high beam system in the 2025 Ridgeline exhibits serious reliability and safety concerns. Multiple owners report that the high beams switch erratically, often failing to dim for oncoming vehicles or turning off and on repeatedly without cause. Dealers have generally been unable to provide a fix.
Symptoms include:
High beams remain on despite oncoming traffic, blinding other drivers
Repeated cycling between high and low beams during dark drives with no visible stimuli
Slow response times of 5 seconds or more before switching beams
High beams switching off when approaching curves or hills, reducing visibility unexpectedly
System sensitivity to road signs and reflectors triggering unwanted beam changes
Read what one consumer stated about this issue:
“The auto headlights do not come on and if they do they almost always turn off immediately. They will not come on at speeds under 25 and this is too slow. To cap all of this they randomly come on when cars are driving towards you even though I have tried to disable this feature totally. They are a safety hazard and used to work on older models flawlessly.”
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Top Problem #2: Brake System Defects
The brake system on the 2025 Ridgeline has been a major source of concern. Owners report a soft or spongy brake pedal that requires excessive travel before the brakes engage, creating a dangerous driving experience.
Common symptoms reported by owners:
Brake pedal sinks 1/3 to 1/2 of the way to the floor before effective braking occurs
Feelings of unsafe vehicle roll when parked, especially on inclines
Dealerships often find no fault during inspections despite repeated complaints
Warning lights and brake system messages are generally not triggered
One Ridgeline owner noted, “Brake pedal depresses 1/3 – 1/2 way to the floor before the brakes grab. I had one close call hard stop incident, and now I allow extra car lengths for safety.”
Top Problem #3: Collision Mitigation Braking System and Adaptive Cruise Control Failures
The Ridgeline’s advanced driver-assist systems also create frustration and safety concerns. The Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) frequently activates unnecessarily, especially on curves or when encountering oncoming vehicles. This results in false alarms, steering wheel vibrations, flashing brake lights, and unexpected braking that startle drivers and traffic behind them.
Owner experiences include:
Frequent CMBS and adaptive cruise control warnings without visible hazards
Automatic braking activates briefly while driving 5-10 mph on curves or near other vehicles
System error messages that dealers report as “normal” despite video evidence
Lack of consistent system operation, causing distrust and disabling of safety features
Radar sensor calibration issues acknowledged but unresolved by some service centers
One complaint described the following:
“When taking curves to the right on 2 lane highways and especially when the oncoming is a truck, and the forward collision warning set on short, the system experiences a spurious event: BRAKE warning and wheel shake. Lane departure is off. Both vehicles in their lanes.”
What Should You Do If Your 2025 Honda Ridgeline Is a Lemon?
A “lemon” vehicle is one with substantial defects that impair its use, value, or safety, which remain unresolved after reasonable repair attempts. If your Ridgeline has persistent braking problems, unsafe headlights, or malfunctioning safety systems unaddressed by the manufacturer or dealer, you may have legal rights under lemon law protections.
To protect your legal rights:
Document all issues thoroughly, including dates, repair attempts, and communications
File complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and your state’s consumer protection agency
Consult an attorney experienced in lemon law to explore options for a refund, replacement, or compensation
If your 2025 Honda Ridgeline experiences ongoing defects despite dealership visits, you may qualify for a buyback or cash settlement under state lemon laws.
Think your 2025 Honda Ridgeline might be a lemon? Contact Lemberg Law today for a free consultation and explore your legal options. Our attorneys work on a contingency basis—you don’t pay unless we win. Don’t wait—lemon law claims have strict deadlines. Call now to start your free case review.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
