Honda Ridgeline years to avoid

How we rated the best and worst Honda Ridgeline years

As the only current pickup truck offered by Honda, the Ridgeline proved to be a reliable option overall, but our team noticed some discrepancies as we went through the NHTSA reports. We saw that certain model years are plagued by issues that tend to repeat from one model to another, so we considered those reports while making this guide.

Also, we had to follow up on the car’s overall safety by going through IIHS records and we’ll share our findings with you in this guide. To make sure that our ratings are completely correct, we also compared the details we found with trustworthy Ridgeline sources including ratings of specific model years on Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and Consumer Reports.

Last but not least, our team also dedicated some time to scrolling through the forums in pursuit of commonly reported issues and some additional pieces of information. We’ve since rechecked every model year against the owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and the best and worst years below follow those numbers:

Most common Honda Ridgeline problems

If you want to have an easier time driving and maintaining your Honda Ridgeline, it’s crucial to avoid the model years that faced common problems and received some criticism. That’s why we’ve done the homework for you so you can take a look at the most commonly reported Ridgeline issues as found by our experts below:

1. Chipped paint

Many Ridgeline drivers complain about the paint chipping easily in areas prone to scuffing. If you spend a lot of time off-road, this will escalate into a bigger problem for you in no time. The rocks and other debris the truck would be exposed to on the track would help widen the chipping.

Repairing the chipping to return the car to its former glory is tricky, and most drivers fall into this trap not knowing what paint correction is. Therefore, if you must take the Ridgeline on an off-road adventure, getting a good set of rock guards or mud flaps would be in your best interest to prevent damage.

2. Electrical problems

The Ridgeline comes with many electronics. Some of these electronics were prone to breaking at certain times. For instance, the screen of the center console could easily be broken, causing other features like Bluetooth and the audio system to be inaccessible until the screen is replaced.

Also, drivers complained that the headlights stopped working after a few years of usage. Non-functional headlights are a safety hazard as they make it difficult to see at night. Headlight complaints with NHTSA are most common on the 2022 and 2023 Ridgeline (30 and 39), and there’s no recall for them, so check that the headlights work before you buy.

3. Broken fuel pump

The fuel pump of the Ridgeline is prone to damage primarily by corrosion, and Honda recalled 2017 to 2019 trucks (19V-053) because exposure to acids such as road salt can damage the pump. When it does break, the engine would not have access to gas, making it unusable. You must take precautions to prevent this issue from happening, especially if you reside in an area where rust is prevalent. Another common situation that drivers have faced is the problem with signs of a bad fuel pump relay which may lead to a stalling pump.

Broken fuel pumps are one of the most expensive repairs you can do on the Ridgeline. Getting a fuel tank liner to prevent rust would save you a good amount and some stress.

4. Engine issues

Ridgeline engines are durable, but they still have issues that are bound to happen. Engine problems show up most on the 2006 model and on the 2017, which has the most engine complaints with NHTSA (97). The most common one is broken valve springs.

Broken valve springs present a very severe problem if not addressed on time. It causes the engine to misfire and can damage the engine’s catalytic converter and other components. It would help if you stuck to an efficient maintenance schedule so you would not have to spend so much on repairs caused by noticing this problem late.

Also, the problem with the fourth cylinder going bad is one of the most common for the 2006 model year and in general when it comes to Honda Ridgeline engine issues.

5. Brake problems

Many Ridgeline drivers reported having brake problems due to malfunctioning anti-lock brake (ABS) systems. The sensors that monitor the speed of the wheels and remit relevant information to the ABS on how much brake to apply often get flawed or broken, causing the ABS to work erratically.

6. Broken torque converter

The function of the torque converter in the transmission is to convert the engine’s power into torque. If it gets damaged or broken, you will experience bad torque converter symptoms like vibrations, shuddering, and slipping, even when in overdrive. The vehicle will lag, and its drivability will be significantly reduced.

The Ridgeline is very prone to having this issue. It is expensive to fix, so it is best to invest more time in preventive maintenance arrangements than allow the vehicle to develop the problem on its own.

Worst Honda Ridgeline years to avoid

It’s no secret that the Honda Ridgeline is a reliable model, but there are few exceptions to that rule as you can clearly see from complaint reports. So, are you still wondering what are the worst Honda Ridgeline years to avoid?

The worst Honda Ridgeline years are 2017 and 2006, with 347 and 243 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and here’s the full list:

• 2006
• 2017
• 2019

We’ll also tell you exactly why those years received worse rating than others in effort to help you pick the most reliable possible option.

First-generation Ridgeline (2006 model year)

Like many other vehicles, the Ridgeline’s first models came with many problems. For this pickup, its first release was its worst one yet.

The fourth cylinder in the engine often failed prematurely, causing drivers to spend money on repairs. In severe cases, more than one cylinder would be affected.

Furthermore, the model also had issues with its HVAC system and airbags. Airbags are the biggest complaint area for the 2006 with NHTSA (63 complaints), as the airbags may not deploy properly, so there was a major airbag system recall.

The 2007 model tried to make up for the problems the first model presented, but it still suffered from airbag problems, and some owners reported oil consumption and rust. With 160 complaints, though, it’s well below the 2006, and the 2008 (143) is better still, so we don’t list either as a year to avoid. Just make sure the airbag recalls have been done.

Second-generation Ridgeline (2017 and 2019 model years)

The 2017 model started the second generation of Ridgelines Honda produced. Unfortunately for the line, it followed in the footsteps of the 2006 model to become ranked the worst in its era.

Drivers had a lot of complaints, most of them bothering the vehicle’s electrical system. What was more frustrating was that mechanics had a hard time pinpointing the exact cause of most of its warning lights so they could fix it.

Faulty fuel injectors were another problem on this model as they frequently failed without warning.

The 2019 model is relatively new but already gives a wrong impression. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received 238 complaints about it, most of them about the fuel system (73) and the engine (43).

Drivers have noticed fuel odor in the car, indicating a problem with its fuel line or engine, and the 2019 is part of the fuel pump recall too. With these two serious problems that ultimately become a safety hazard, the 2019 Ridgeline is one model you should stay away from so you do not spend unnecessarily on repairs.