No Honda Ridgeline model year rates as one to avoid in CarVitals data. The strongest years are 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Below is every year (2006–2024) ranked best to worst, with the owner-reported problems behind each verdict.
Honda Ridgeline problems by year
The most refined second-gen Ridgeline: the rod-bearing engine recall is behind it, complaints are at a record low and it tops its class for ride comfort and J.D. Power quality. Remaining gripes are nuisance auto-high-beam and over-eager collision braking.
- Automatic high beams dim erratically or fail to dim for oncoming traffic
- Forward-collision and automatic emergency braking can activate falsely on curves and road hazards
- Premature steering tie-rod and rack wear with excess play at low mileage
A strong, mature second-gen year. No catastrophic engine issues remain; most complaints are auto-high-beam glitches, occasional steering tie-rod wear and over-eager automatic braking. Comfortable car-like ride with the clever in-bed trunk and dual-action tailgate.
- Automatic high beams dim erratically or fail to dim for oncoming traffic
- Forward-collision and automatic emergency braking can activate falsely on curves and road hazards
- Premature steering tie-rod and rack wear with excess play at low mileage
Reliable late-second-gen Ridgeline, past the rod-bearing recall era. The main owner gripes are erratic automatic high beams and false forward-collision braking, not drivetrain failures. Class-leading ride comfort and a genuinely useful bed make it a safe used pick.
- Automatic high beams dim erratically or fail to dim for oncoming traffic
- Forward-collision and automatic emergency braking can activate falsely on curves and road hazards
- Premature steering tie-rod and rack wear with excess play at low mileage
First post-recall second-gen year and a sweet spot: the rod-bearing and fuel-pump recalls are resolved, complaint volume drops sharply, and it keeps its comfortable unibody ride and in-bed trunk. Watch for auto-high-beam and collision-braking quirks.
- Automatic high beams dim erratically or fail to dim for oncoming traffic
- Forward-collision and automatic emergency braking can activate falsely on curves and road hazards
- Premature steering tie-rod and rack wear with excess play at low mileage
The refreshed second-gen Ridgeline, but still within the connecting rod-bearing engine recall and hit by the Denso fuel-pump recall and auto start/stop restart failures. Verify both recalls were completed. Strong ride and versatility once the recall work is confirmed.
- Connecting rod-bearing failure causing engine knock and seizure on the 3.5L V6
- Low-pressure fuel-pump failure causing stalling, addressed by a recall
- 9-speed automatic transmission hard shifting, judder and hesitation, mainly on 2017-2019 trucks
The most-complained-about second-gen year: connecting rod-bearing engine failures and fuel-system/injector problems dominate, plus 9-speed shift complaints. Excellent to drive, but buy only with the engine and fuel-pump recalls confirmed and a full service history.
- Connecting rod-bearing failure causing engine knock and seizure on the 3.5L V6
- Low-pressure fuel-pump failure causing stalling, addressed by a recall
- 9-speed automatic transmission hard shifting, judder and hesitation, mainly on 2017-2019 trucks
Early second-gen Ridgeline with the connecting rod-bearing engine recall, a low-pressure fuel-pump recall and a backup-camera wiring-harness defect at the tailgate. A comfortable, versatile truck, but insist on proof the engine and fuel recalls were performed.
- Connecting rod-bearing failure causing engine knock and seizure on the 3.5L V6
- Low-pressure fuel-pump failure causing stalling, addressed by a recall
- 9-speed automatic transmission hard shifting, judder and hesitation, mainly on 2017-2019 trucks
The second-generation launch year and the highest-complaint Ridgeline: connecting rod-bearing engine seizures, 9-speed transmission judder, fuel-injector and backup-camera-harness failures. Brilliant ride and packaging, but a riskier used buy unless all recalls are documented.
- Connecting rod-bearing failure causing engine knock and seizure on the 3.5L V6
- Low-pressure fuel-pump failure causing stalling, addressed by a recall
- 9-speed automatic transmission hard shifting, judder and hesitation, mainly on 2017-2019 trucks
The last and most polished first-gen Ridgeline: a robust J35 V6, car-like ride and the original in-bed trunk. Complaints are few, mostly the Takata airbag recall and paint/clear-coat wear. Check for salt-belt frame rust and a completed airbag recall and it is a dependable used truck.
- Takata airbag inflator recall affecting these years, the inflator must be replaced
- Frame and subframe corrosion in salt-belt regions is the main structural concern
- Clear-coat and paint peeling or fading reported on these trucks
A refined late first-gen Ridgeline with the proven 3.5L V6 and 5-speed automatic. Main concerns are the Takata airbag recall and salt-belt frame/subframe corrosion rather than drivetrain faults. Comfortable, versatile and known to run past 200,000 miles with maintenance.
- Takata airbag inflator recall affecting these years, the inflator must be replaced
- Frame and subframe corrosion in salt-belt regions is the main structural concern
- Clear-coat and paint peeling or fading reported on these trucks
Mid-cycle-refreshed first-gen Ridgeline, mechanically mature and dependable. Watch for the Takata airbag recall and rear-frame rust in salt states; the V6 drivetrain itself is stout. The car-like ride, roomy cab and in-bed trunk remain its standout strengths.
- Takata airbag inflator recall affecting these years, the inflator must be replaced
- Frame and subframe corrosion in salt-belt regions is the main structural concern
- Clear-coat and paint peeling or fading reported on these trucks
A dependable late first-gen Ridgeline past the early transmission and differential bugs. The big to-dos are the Takata airbag recall and inspecting for salt-belt frame corrosion. Strong V6, comfortable ride and clever bed make it a sensible, long-lived used pickup.
- Takata airbag inflator recall affecting these years, the inflator must be replaced
- Frame and subframe corrosion in salt-belt regions is the main structural concern
- Clear-coat and paint peeling or fading reported on these trucks
A solid first-gen Ridgeline year with the bulletproof 3.5L V6. Key items are the Takata airbag recall and rust on the frame and subframe in salt regions. Modest tow rating and thirst, but the comfortable unibody ride and in-bed trunk are class-unique strengths.
- Takata airbag inflator recall affecting these years, the inflator must be replaced
- Frame and subframe corrosion in salt-belt regions is the main structural concern
- Clear-coat and paint peeling or fading reported on these trucks
The facelifted first-gen Ridgeline improved over the earliest years. Main worries are the Takata airbag recall and salt-belt frame/subframe corrosion, not the drivetrain. A comfortable, practical and durable used truck if the airbag recall is done and the frame is clean.
- Takata airbag inflator recall affecting these years, the inflator must be replaced
- Frame and subframe corrosion in salt-belt regions is the main structural concern
- Clear-coat and paint peeling or fading reported on these trucks
A late first-series Ridgeline that still carries early-gen transmission and VTM-4 rear-differential risk, plus the Takata airbag recall, a blower-motor wiring fire concern and frame rust. The V6 is strong, but verify the drivetrain and a completed airbag recall before buying.
- Takata airbag inflator recall affecting these years, the inflator must be replaced
- Melted HVAC blower-motor wiring harness reported as a fire hazard
- 2006 cars are subject to a valve-spring recall that can cause engine misfire and cylinder damage
Second-year first-gen Ridgeline, improved over 2006 but still in the early-build window for transmission and VTM-4 differential issues, with the Takata airbag recall and salt-belt frame rust. Comfortable and practical, but inspect the drivetrain and recall status carefully.
- Takata airbag inflator recall affecting these years, the inflator must be replaced
- Melted HVAC blower-motor wiring harness reported as a fire hazard
- 2006 cars are subject to a valve-spring recall that can cause engine misfire and cylinder damage
The launch-year Ridgeline carries the most first-gen risk: a valve-spring engine recall, early-build transmission and VTM-4 rear-differential problems, the Takata airbag recall and frame corrosion. Innovative and comfortable, but the riskiest year to buy unless fully documented.
- Takata airbag inflator recall affecting these years, the inflator must be replaced
- Melted HVAC blower-motor wiring harness reported as a fire hazard
- 2006 cars are subject to a valve-spring recall that can cause engine misfire and cylinder damage