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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Honda Ridgeline2006–2026

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🚛 TRUCK
Honda Ridgeline
2006–2026
C+
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
2.5/yr · seg. median 0.0
Safety
High
0 inj.
Open Federal Investigation ×3
Engineering Analysis: engine and engine cooling
50% of EA investigations historically become recalls
38
Recalls
0
Complaints
2022
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2006
19
Years Analyzed
38
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Honda Ridgeline

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK4yr old
2022
Good Buy · 69/100
Reliability62/100
Value window81/100
Recalls2
Complaints0
#2 PICK8yr old
2018
Good Buy · 66/100
Reliability62/100
Value window73/100
Recalls2
Complaints0
#3 PICK3yr old
2023
Good Buy · 66/100
Reliability62/100
Value window74/100
Recalls2
Complaints0

Honda Ridgeline Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2006

7 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2020

4 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2021

4 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 5 past investigations into the Ridgeline became recalls.

OPEN · EAEngineering Analysisopened Mar 2025NHTSA #EA25004
no restart after auto start/stop engages
Component: engine and engine cooling:engine:crank/camshaft position sensor · affects 2020–2025
⚠ Historically, 50% of EA investigations became recalls — an in-depth Engineering Analysis — the most serious stage, just before a recall decision.
OPEN · EAEngineering Analysisopened Feb 2025NHTSA #EA25003
rear-view camera failure
Component: back over prevention · affects 2017–2019
⚠ Historically, 50% of EA investigations became recalls — an in-depth Engineering Analysis — the most serious stage, just before a recall decision.
OPEN · PEPreliminary Evaluationopened Aug 2025NHTSA #PE25008
engine failure
Component: engine · affects 2017–2019
⚠ Historically, 30% of PE investigations became recalls — a Preliminary Evaluation of a potential safety defect.
Recently concluded investigations
RQ24013 · engine · closed Aug 2025Closed, no recall
RQ24011 · back over prevention · closed Feb 2025Closed, no recall
EA19001 · air bags · closed Sep 2024→ Became recall
PE24004 · back over prevention · closed Aug 2024→ Became recall
PE22001 · back over prevention · closed Dec 2022→ Became recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 12, 2026.

Honda Ridgeline — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202600——
69
36
57
Excellent
202500——
69
51
63
Excellent
202400——
69
64
67
Excellent
202320——
62
74
66
Good
202220——
62
81
69
Good
202140——
45
84
59
Caution
202040——
45
83
58
Caution
201930——
53
79
62
Caution
201820——
62
73
66
Good
201720——
62
66
63
Good
201410——
69
46
61
Good
201310——
69
41
59
Good
201220——
62
37
53
Good
201110——
69
34
57
Good
201010——
69
34
57
Good
200910——
69
34
57
Good
200820——
62
34
52
Good
200730——
53
34
46
Caution
200670——
44
34
41
Avoid

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the Ridgeline compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2022 (Buyer Score 69).

Best: 2022
2022 · 692024 · 672018 · 662023 · 662025 · 632019 · 622021 · 592020 · 582026 · 57

2013–2017

Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 63).

Best: 2017
2017 · 632014 · 612013 · 59

Pre-2013

Older Ridgeline models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution
2009 · 572010 · 572011 · 572012 · 532008 · 522007 · 462006 · 41

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Ridgeline to buy?+

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline scores highest on our Buyer Score (69/100) — combining a reliability score of 62/100 with a value score of 81/100. It has 2 recalls and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which Ridgeline years have the most problems?+

The 2006, 2020, 2021 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2006 Ridgeline leads with 7 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common Ridgeline problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Honda Ridgeline.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar truck vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every Ridgeline year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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