Honda Ridgeline Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Honda Ridgeline model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2015 drew the fewest (2) and the 2017 the most (343).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
8 | 0 | Exterior lighting | 5★ | 20–21 |
| 2012 Among the fewest complaints |
24 | 11 | Air bags | — | 17 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
34 | 6 | Air bags | — | 17 |
| 2009 | 35 | 8 | Air bags | — | 17 |
| 2011 | 39 | 10 | Air bags | — | 17 |
| 2010 | 42 | 9 | Air bags | — | 17 |
| 2013 | 45 | 7 | Air bags | — | 17 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
61 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 20–21 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
92 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | 20–21 |
| 2021 | 101 | 7 | Engine | 5★ | 21 |
| 2022 | 117 | 3 | Exterior lighting | 5★ | 21 |
| 2023 | 128 | 5 | Exterior lighting | 5★ | 21 |
| 2008 | 143 | 8 | Air bags | — | 17 |
| 2007 | 160 | 8 | Air bags | — | 17 |
| 2018 | 162 | 7 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–22 |
| 2020 | 169 | 8 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–22 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
237 | 11 | Fuel system | 5★ | 21–22 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
242 | 12 | Air bags | — | 17 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
343 | 8 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–22 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Honda Ridgeline years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2017 Honda Ridgeline: 343 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 92 (27%); Engine 86 (25%); Fuel/propulsion system 42 (12%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 7 fires, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 40,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
2006 Honda Ridgeline: 242 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 63 (26%); Electrical system 43 (18%); Structure 30 (12%).
Reports mention 21 crashes, 15 fires, 19 injuries, 99 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 74,000 miles. 12 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Honda Ridgeline: 237 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 39 (16%); Engine 38 (16%); Power train 36 (15%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 17,500 miles. 11 recall campaigns listed.
The Honda Ridgeline years with the fewest complaints
2015 Honda Ridgeline: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 1 (50%); Exterior lighting 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Honda Ridgeline: 24 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 14 (58%); Structure 4 (17%); Steering 2 (8%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 11 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Honda Ridgeline: 34 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 13 (38%); Structure 7 (21%); Electrical system 4 (12%).
Reports mention 1 fire. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 15,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Honda Ridgeline owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 92 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 128 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 32,000 |
| 2022 | 117 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 101 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 22,000 |
| 2020 | 169 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18,000 |
| 2019 | 237 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 17,500 |
| 2018 | 162 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 22,300 |
| 2017 | 343 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 34 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15,000 |
| 2013 | 45 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 33,000 |
| 2012 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2010 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25,500 |
| 2009 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2008 | 143 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2007 | 160 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 85,000 |
| 2006 | 242 | 21 | 15 | 19 | 99 | 74,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Honda Ridgeline recalls
- Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture (2006 model year; 6,281,043 vehicles across all models; filed May 2015; 15V320000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2017–2020 model years; 2,490,460 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2023; 23V858000)
- Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2007–2014 model years; 2,232,187 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2016; 16V061000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2006–2011 model years; 1,790,894 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V344000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2006–2014 model years; 1,657,752 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2019; 19V501000)
All 39 Honda Ridgeline recall campaigns · Honda Ridgeline problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Honda Ridgeline years FAQ
Which Honda Ridgeline year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2015 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Honda Ridgeline years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2017, 2006 and 2019 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Honda Ridgeline problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (424 of 2,184 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Honda Ridgeline have?
NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns covering the Honda Ridgeline. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Honda Ridgeline recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.