2023 HONDA RIDGELINE Exterior Lighting Problems

The auto high beam system on my 2023 Honda Ridgeline frequently malfunctions. It prematurely dims the high beams when approaching reflective road signs or street lighting, even with no oncoming traffic present. More concerning, the system immediately reactivates high beams afterward — sometimes directly into the eyes of oncoming drivers, creating a blinding hazard. This behavior has occurred multiple times during rural and suburban nighttime driving. Honda offers no way to adjust the system’s sensitivity, even the one in the dask computer dont help and dealerships confirm that no fix or update is currently available. The system appears to be functioning “as designed,” but the result is erratic and unpredictable headlight behavior that undermines safety. I am submitting this report to document repeated false activations and to support investigation or revision of this feature.

I have taken my car to the dealership of three separate occasions with respect to the Automatic High Beam Option which at best works inconsistently on the back rural roads where I live. They adjusted this option on two occasions, and the service advisor took my vehicle home - driving it at night. In his words, he indicated, "Given the technology within this vehicle, we did the best we could." I know for a fact the automatic high beam option technology exists as I have another vehicle with the same option that works flawlessly and as intended; a 2024 Subaru Forester. In multiple correspondences with Honda's Customer Service Division, they stated, "At this time, the trained technicians at Middletown Honda have confirmed that your vehicle is operating as designed. We truly regret that the outcome does not meet your expectations, and we want to assure you that your dissatisfaction has been noted on our end." Clearly, and I understand, that for this issue to be resolved, a recall of this vehicle specific to this issue would have to take place. I have read on numerosu blogs and Honda Forums that this is and has been an issue with this current model dating back to the 2020 model, as owners of the models predating this year did not find this option as an issue. So, clearly something in the engineering of this option post 2020 changed. As I had indicated to both Honda's Customer Service and the dealership personnel I have spoken to, I will no longer utilize this option as it is dangerous and will, on the rural roads I drive on, cause a vehicular accident.

I have a 2023 Honda Ridgeline RTE excellent condition! Driver side headlight has moisture in it. There is a bulletin from Honda TSB23–024 titled moisture in headlight with a date of 3/3/2023. It involves the ridgeline 2017–2023. The summary says “moisture in the headlights. The headlight seal may become damaged from a miss adjusted Hood. Damage to the headlight seal may lead to moisture condensation building up in the headlight. Replace the headlight(s) with moisture condensation buildup and readjust the hood stoppers.” I called Honda Eastgate at 513-528-8000. They stated it was not a recall and that it would be an out-of-pocket cost. They want to charge a diagnostic fee of $250.00 and then charge to replace the headlight. I asked them if having moisture in the headlight would be a safety problem and they said yes if the light went out. Why in the world is this not a recall. I feel Honda is responsible for this and there should be no charge to the customer. I want to know who else I need to report this to, to have this become a recall, please help me with this problem. I can be reached at [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Thank you for your help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Automatic headlights malfunction causing the high beams to activate when cars are ahead or deactivate when lights reflect off of street signs. This causes road rage by other Drivers who think the Owner is deliberately blinding them with the high beams. Also with the constant changing between low and high it causes hazards when driving due to inconsistent lighting on the roadway ahead. This condition has been present since purchase in Dec 2022.

I own a 2023 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E The Auto High-Beam Headlights do not work. It barely worked the first week, but since then it has not worked. I've had it into the dealer, they say nothing is wrong. Reports online show this is a common issue with Honda Ridgelines since 2020 and has not been addressed.

My name is [XXX] , and my wife and I own a 2023 Honda Ridgeline that we purchased in October 2023. The automatic headlight dimming function has not worked properly since purchasing. The automatic function is very erratic. The lights will not automatically brighten when on a really dark road, and at times have switched to high beam within 100 feet of meeting another vehicle and remain bright. The function also switches from bright to dim very frequently when driving down the road and no other vehicles around. The lights also switch erratically when going past a road sign, reflector pole, lights at a house you may be passing, etc. My big concern is the lights switching to high beam while approaching another vehicle. I can't count the times this has happened. I have taken our Ridgeline back to Gary Force Honda in Bowling Green, Kentucky where we purchased it. The service advisor that assisted us stated that Honda knows of the problem, however, there is no fix. I inquired about a safety recall for this problem and the gentleman acted as though it was no big deal. It probable isn't a big deal until a deadly accident occurs because of a malfunctioning system. I even mentioned that I expect more especially when you spend $48,000 for a vehicle. Again, the service advisor acted as though his hands are tied. Needless to say, we left the dealership with the same problem that took us in. Attached is a picture taken at approximately 1830 hrs on [XXX] on our isolated road with no street lights, street signs or anything to cause a problem. As you will see, the lights will not switch to bright on this dark road. Please help!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The automatic headlight dimming is extremely unreliable and often dims just when approaching illuminated speed limit signs, or puts high beams ON when approaching another vehicle at night. Bad sensor I think.

Automatic high beams do not come on enough, turn off with slightest reflected light.

The auto dimming feature on headlights fails to function. When the high beams are in use, they will not dim when approaching an oncoming vehicle. Conversely, when they are on low beam, they do not switch to high beam setting when it is totally dark outside and no cars are approaching. This fault was not disclosed during initial test drive and the dealerships only explanation is that they are sorry, but it can’t be fixed.

Vehicle is equipped with auto dimming headlights. The system is way too sensitive and dims headlights on reflected road signs and distant street lights. Honda says it is working properly. It is basically worthless and very distracting because when driving through a neighborhood with no other cars around it dims and brightens constantly. Honda says there is no way to adjust sensitivity! Previously I believe you could. 2020 Ridgelines worked perfectly?

Automatic headlight dimming is too sensitive and does not reliably dim headlights when there is oncoming vehicles with headlights on. Many times, the high beams turn off entering a corner because they apparently sense the road sigh reflexion. This sudden change in the light produced entering the corner causes a distraction as well as a loss visibility of the approaching corner. Addionally, I have had vehicles flash their bright lights when approaching me to advise me to dim my lights.

Automatic high beams do not dim consistently when approaching oncoming traffic. Honda has tried twice to fix the problem but it persists. They said they have no fix and I just have to turn off that feature. I have video that is available on YouTube. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Issues with front beams high and low auto dimming

The Auto Dimming headlights are very sporadic. They go to high sometime while approaching other auto’s and won’t dim sometimes. This has been a issue on this model.

Auto high beams do not work properly. When activated the high beams engage and disengage erratically. When cars are passing by as well as when you come up to a vehicle from behind, the high beams may or may not disengage. On approaching vehicles, faulty auto high beams could possibly blind, them causing an accident, or they respond by turning on their high beams blinding me. This is a known problem within the Honda Ridgeline community. This situation has happened multiple times prior to my filing this report.

The auto high beams do not work with any consistency. They don't come when they should or will turn off because of a reflection from a road sign. Sometimes, they will activate right before a car passes you which causes that driver to flash me and now we both can't see! I can't believe Honda would allow this poor excuse of a feature to pass inspection!

The "auto dimmers" do not work. I have had it to the deal several times and they admit that Honda has a problem with them. They tell me they are working as designed and it is not the best design. The service team is now going to switch out vehicles with me to see if they are working 'as designed". The service team has told me to just turn them off and do it manually. To me that is NOT the solution. But they were totally honest with me, telling me they do not work but not until after I purchased the Ridgeline. If I knew this I would have went to another manufacturer. Very disappointed in Honda. And equally disappointed in the service saying just turn them off.

The automatic High Beams have been a issue with the Ridgeling since 2021. I have a 2023 Ridgeline and live in a area where properly working high beams are needed to work properly. Honda's dealerships have no answers to this problem, and some of the service writers aren't even aware of it. This is a defect in this vehicle that needs to be addressed. Please contact Honda and make the repair this defect

Auto high beam feature turns on and off even when there are no oncoming vehicles. The feature is unreliable and dangerous. Vehicle purchased on 22 Dec 2023. Previous vehicle was a 2019 Ridgeline where this feature worked perfectly.

The Auto High Beam functionality is erratic and dangerous. The high beams go off unexpectedly when needed. The high beams come on unexpectedly when there are close oncoming vehicles blinding these drivers and causing a road rage potential. This is a common complaint on the Honda Ridgeline forum. I made both our dealer and Honda USA aware of this problem weeks after I purchased this truck and repeatedly every time I have taken it to dealer for routine maintenance.

Auto high beams won't activate until I reach 45 MPH and they while driving high beams continue to turn on and off with no other autos near me. This condition is not reliable and makes it difficult to drive at night

Auto high beams are too sensitive and cause a safety concern as driver is not able to read street signs and visibility is impaired. Constant light changes are also distraction to oncoming traffic.

With headlights set to “auto”, the high beams will intermittently turn on and off even when the headlight switch is not pushed forward to activate high beams. When headlight switch is in the high beam position and set to “auto”, the high beams will not deactivate with on coming traffic. Both scenarios could blind on coming traffic potentially causing a collision. No No Vehicle purchased used on 9/9/23 first appeared on 9/23/23.

Automatic high beam head lights have not work properly ever since I bought the Honda in oct 2022.

The contact owns a 2023 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the high-beam headlights illuminated extremely bright, causing a blinding affect for other drivers. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the camera sensor was faulty, causing the high-beam headlights to fail to deactivate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50.

Mileage: 50

Auto high beams do not correctly switch from low and high beams ALSO, the QI wireless charger doesn't work with my iPhone 14 plus

Auto high beams do not function correctly. They often do not turn on.

Auto High-Beams not operating as designed. The auto-high beams works very intermittently as on very non lighted dark roads they will come on and shut causing a flickering effect while driving. This is a very well known issue starting with the 2022 model year. The sensor camera for the auto-high beams are defective. This can blindness to on coming driver’s/vehicle temporarily.

Automatic high beams don’t work fluidly. This is a safety issue because they are sensitive to the point where it seems you are “high beaming” oncoming traffic. This problem has been confirmed by several legitimate websites and by myself. All components are in working order. There are no warning lamps as this is the way the vehicle was intended to operate by the manufacturer. Honda let it slip past and it should not have. This problem needs further review by NHTSA for safety purposes. Thanks

Automatic highbeam system stays on hi for oncoming vehicles, flashes oncoming vehicles, dims for road signs.

Automatic headlight auto bright does not work correctly. Sometimes does not dim to regular headlight and goes back and forth without oncoming cars also.

Auto high beam headlights do not function properly. The high beams will turn on or will not turn off high beams when approaching another vehicle. High beams will turn off when the system sees another light source, such as a pole light, several hundred feet off the road. High beams will also turn on and off for no apparent reason.

Auto high beams do not work properly. When using they do not work as intended and cause an extreme danger for visibility. I nearly hit a deer at highway speeds due to failure to operate when should have been in high beam. Also they go on and off causing blinding to oncoming traffic. This is a well known problem documented by numerous honda Ridgeline owners. It needs to be fixed before more people are injured or killed as a result.

The auto headlights have not worked at all since we have owned this vehicle. I have followed the instructions to the letter to setup the auto headlight function up. Frustrated, vehicle was taken to dealer and they acknowledge a problem as they cannot fix it until Honda issues a repair solution. The truck has 560 miles on it. Problematic headlights are a real concern at night