NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation: Rear-view Camera Failure in 2021-2023 Honda Ridgeline (PE24-004)
Opened February 13, 2024 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation (PE24-004) on February 13, 2024 into rear-view camera failure in 2021-2023 Honda Ridgeline. The investigation is closed on August 5, 2024 and led to recall 24V321000.
PE24-004 at a glance
| NHTSA action number | PE24-004 |
|---|---|
| Type | Preliminary Evaluation |
| Opened | February 13, 2024 |
| Status | Closed August 5, 2024 |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Honda Ridgeline |
| Component | Back Over Prevention |
| Manufacturer | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| Resulting recall | 24V321000 |
What is NHTSA investigating in the Honda Ridgeline?
From NHTSA’s investigation summary:
On February 13, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24004 to assess alleged failures of the rear-view camera (RVC) in 2020-2023 Model Year (MY) Honda Ridgeline vehicles.
At this time, ODI has received a total of 50 complaints with allegations of the RVC image failing to display when the vehicle was in reverse.
The RVC wire harness is routed near the hinge in the tailgate, in a location where frequent opening and closing of the tailgate causes bending stress on the harness.
Honda determined the wire harness was manufactured with a material which is permeable to water and salt, which when it freezes and thaws, combined with tailgate usage, ultimately leads to breakage of the wiring in the tailgate harness.
This results in a failure to display the RVC image.
On May 9, 2024, Honda filed a Part 573 Safety Recall Report recalling all 2020-2024 MY Honda Ridgeline vehicles.
The dealer will replace the RVC tailgate harness with a wire harness that is manufactured by a new supplier and has improved material properties to withstand wear from bending.
In view of Honda filing recall 24V-321 addressing the subject of this investigation, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation.
NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
What is a preliminary evaluation?
Preliminary Evaluation is the first stage of a federal defect investigation. NHTSA reviews complaints, crash reports and manufacturer data to decide whether a safety defect may exist. It can close with no action, be upgraded to an engineering analysis, or end with a recall.
Did this investigation lead to a recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists recall 24V321000 as the result of this investigation: 2021-2025 Honda Ridgeline Backup Camera Recall (24V321).
Which vehicles are part of this investigation?
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Honda | Ridgeline |
What are Honda Ridgeline owners reporting to NHTSA?
NHTSA’s public database lists 345 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
What should owners do?
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
- If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
- Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
- File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
- If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.
Recalls on the same vehicles
- 2021-2022 Honda Pilot Rear Suspension Recall (26V365)
- 2021, 2023 Acura TLX Passenger Air Bag Recall (26V332)
- 2021-2025 Honda Ridgeline Backup Camera Recall (24V321)
- 2023 Honda Passport Rack and Pinion Recall (24V184)
- 2021-2022 Honda Pilot Passenger Air Bag Recall (24V064)
- 2021 Honda Civic Master Cylinder Recall (23V458)
- 2021 Honda Pilot Visibility Exterior Recall (23V174)
- 2021 Honda Accord Seat Belt Retractor Recall (21V900)
Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?
Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).
An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA investigation, recall and complaint data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page reports public NHTSA data and is general information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.