YearToAvoid

2011 Honda Ridgeline Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

29/100

#11 most-complained of 15 Ridgeline years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2011 Honda Ridgeline has a complaint index of 29 and ranks 11th worst of 15 model years, earning a

Complaints
39
Recalls
10
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17
15 city / 20 hwy

Top 2011 Honda Ridgeline problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags27 (69%)
  2. Structure & Body6 (15%)
  3. Other5 (13%)
  4. Electrical System2 (5%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)
  6. Engine1 (3%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report Takata airbag inflators that ruptured or that could not be repaired promptly due to parts shortages, sometimes tied to crashes.
  • Some drivers describe the passenger or driver frontal airbag deploying unexpectedly during minor impacts.
  • Rear crossmember and frame corrosion led to a snapped crossmember and melted components near the rear wheel well at high mileage.
  • Owners noticed the rear tire sitting at an angle with rocking motion at the rear end, linked to structural wear around 129,000 miles.
  • Windshield molding and firewall squealing were reported early in ownership, along with dashboard frost from a suspected windshield leak.
  • Tires showed excessive dry rot between tread and sidewalls at a median mileage of 75,000.
2011 Honda Ridgeline complaints: complaints filed per month9Sep 2011Nov 2015May 2016Aug 2016Dec 2016May 2017Aug 2022Jul 2024
44 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2011 to Sep 2025; peak Aug 2016 (9).

2011 Honda Ridgeline recalls

10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V430000Jun 16, 2022Structure & Body132,882 vehicles

    Structure:frame and members

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles that were sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. An accumulation of road salt may cause the frame mounting surface, where the fuel tank mounting bands are attached, to corrode and possibly detach the fuel tank, which can result in a fuel leak.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the rear frame, as necessary, free of charge. Depending on the extent of any corrosion damage, Honda may offer to repurchase the vehicle. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is LCD.

  2. NHTSA 19V500000Jun 27, 2019Airbags1,558 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

  3. NHTSA 19V501000Jun 27, 2019Airbags1,657,752 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

See all 10 recalls for the 2011 Honda Ridgeline →

2011 Honda Ridgeline fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
20 MPG
Combined
17 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other Ridgeline years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Best2142917
2011Good29391017
2012Best7241117
2013Good3645717

All Honda Ridgeline years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Honda Ridgeline reliable compared to other Ridgeline years?
NHTSA data gives the 2011 Ridgeline a complaint index of 29 and a rank of 11th worst out of 15 model years, with a 'Good' verdict relative to other Ridgeline years.
What is the top problem area for the 2011 Honda Ridgeline?
Airbags account for 69% of complaints (27 of 39), mostly tied to the Takata inflator recalls, with a median failure mileage of 78,000.
Does the 2011 Honda Ridgeline have a Takata airbag recall?
Yes. It is covered by multiple Takata-related recalls, including campaigns 19V500000, 19V501000, 19V182000, 18V662000, 18V041000, 17V029000, and 16V344000, covering driver and passenger frontal air bag inflators.
Are there structural or frame recalls for the 2011 Honda Ridgeline?
Yes. Recall 22V430000 covers rear frame inspection and repair for corrosion in certain 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles registered in specific states.
How many complaints and recalls does the 2011 Honda Ridgeline have?
NHTSA lists 39 complaints and 10 recalls for the 2011 Ridgeline, with 2 crashes and 1 death reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.