Honda Ridgeline Best and Worst Years (2006–2025)
Avoid the 2006, 2017, 2019, 2023, and 2025 Honda Ridgeline, which carry the highest complaint indexes (100, 83, 89, 78, and 94) among 19 model years. The 2014 is rated Best (complaint index 11) and 2013 is rated Good (complaint index 33), based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 19
- 2006–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,167
- Recall campaigns
- 39
- Crashes reported
- 62
- Fires reported
- 45
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Ridgeline Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Honda Ridgeline problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Avoid | 100 | 242 | 21 | 15 | 12 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 44 | 160 | 6 | 5 | 8 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 39 | 143 | 3 | 6 | 8 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 17 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 28 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 9 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 22 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 10 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 6 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 11 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2013 | Good | 33 | 45 | 3 | 1 | 7 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2014 | Best | 11 | 34 | 0 | 1 | 6 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2015 | No verdict | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 83 | 341 | 3 | 7 | 8 | Electrical System | 21.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 50 | 161 | 3 | 1 | 7 | Electrical System | 21.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 89 | 237 | 8 | 2 | 11 | Fuel System | 21.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 72 | 169 | 1 | 0 | 8 | Electrical System | 21.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 61 | 101 | 3 | 0 | 7 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 67 | 117 | 2 | 3 | 3 | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 78 | 127 | 2 | 2 | 5 | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 56 | 59 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 20.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 94 | 89 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 20.5 | 5★ |
Ridgeline years to avoid: what went wrong
2006 Honda Ridgeline Index 100 · 242 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2006 Ridgeline has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and ranks worst overall. Airbags are the top problem area, with 63 complaints and a median failure mileage of 74,000 miles reported to NHTSA. Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes and seat belt malfunctions. Electrical System and Structure & Body issues, including rear frame corrosion, follow closely. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for this year, including frontal airbag inflator replacements and a rear frame inspection recall, and this year also recorded 99 reported deaths in the dataset.
2006 airbags problems →2006 electrical system problems →2006 structure & body problems →
2025 Honda Ridgeline Index 94 · 89 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2025 Ridgeline has the second-highest complaint index (94) despite being a brand-new model year. Electrical System complaints make up 54% of the total, with a very low median failure mileage of 299.5 miles, meaning problems show up almost immediately after purchase. Owners report engine fires with smoke coming from the sides of the truck and dashboard warning lights combined with sudden acceleration or deceleration. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns so far, covering seat weight sensors and a rearview camera wiring harness.
2019 Honda Ridgeline Index 89 · 237 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2019 Ridgeline has a complaint index of 89, ranking third-worst. Fuel System complaints lead at 31% of total, with a median failure mileage of 46,000 miles, followed by Engine and Electrical System issues. Owners describe brake failures that did not stop the vehicle and sudden acceleration events during low-speed maneuvers. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns, including a rear subframe reinforcement and a fuel pump module replacement.
2019 fuel system problems →2019 engine problems →2019 electrical system problems →
2017 Honda Ridgeline Index 83 · 341 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2017 Ridgeline carries a complaint index of 83, ranking fourth-worst. Electrical System and Engine problems each make up 28% of complaints, with owners reporting engine fires while parked and electrical failures affecting wipers. Median mileage at failure is 40,000 miles. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this year, covering a rear subframe reinforcement, seat weight sensor replacement, and a fuel pump module recall.
2017 electrical system problems →2017 engine problems →2017 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
2023 Honda Ridgeline Index 78 · 127 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2023 Ridgeline has a complaint index of 78, ranking fifth-worst. Electrical System complaints dominate at 45% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 26,525 miles, including reports of engine bay fires and smoke while driving on gravel roads. Owners also describe unresponsive auto headlights and hesitation when accelerating uphill. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year, including a rear subframe reinforcement, seat weight sensor replacement, and a rearview camera wiring harness recall.
2023 electrical system problems →2023 engine problems →2023 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
Most common Honda Ridgeline problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System565 (26%)
- Engine394 (18%)
- Airbags348 (16%)
- Other246 (11%)
- Fuel System214 (10%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras203 (9%)
- Structure & Body192 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain173 (8%)
- Brakes112 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers95 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Honda Ridgeline should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2006, 2017, 2019, 2023, and 2025 Ridgeline. These years have the highest complaint indexes (100, 83, 89, 78, and 94) among the 19 model years covered.
- What is the best year for the Honda Ridgeline?
- The 2014 Ridgeline is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index (11) among all years. The 2013 Ridgeline is rated Good, with a complaint index of 33.
- Is the 2006 Honda Ridgeline reliable?
- The 2006 Ridgeline has the highest complaint index (100) of any Ridgeline year and ranks worst overall, with Airbags as the top reported problem area at 26% of complaints.
- Why are 2007 to 2012 Ridgeline years rated Caution instead of Good?
- Those years have relatively low complaint indexes but are capped at Caution because each carries 8 to 11 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, according to NHTSA recall data.
- Does the Honda Ridgeline have recall issues?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns across all Ridgeline model years, including airbag inflator replacements, rear subframe reinforcements, and fuel pump module recalls.