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.
Best Years to Buy a Honda Ridgeline
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Honda Ridgeline Years to Avoid
6 recalls · 218 complaints
Top issue: ENGINE
8 recalls · 140 complaints
12 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
5 recalls · 123 complaints
6 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 5 past investigations into the Ridgeline became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 16, 2026.
Honda Ridgeline — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 6 | 3 | — | 67 | 35 | 56 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 1 | 55 | 3 | — | 61 | 50 | 57 | Good |
| 2024 | 0 | 39 | — | — | 67 | 63 | 66 | Good |
| 2023 | 3 | 68 | — | — | 58 | 73 | 63 | Good |
| 2022 | 1 | 88 | 2 | — | 53 | 80 | 62 | Caution |
| 2021 | 4 | 65 | 1 | — | 57 | 83 | 66 | Good |
| 2020 | 5 | 130 | 2 | — | 42 | 82 | 56 | Caution |
| 2019 | 8 | 140 | 12 | — | 42 | 78 | 55 | Avoid |
| 2018 | 6 | 108 | 2 | — | 45 | 72 | 54 | Caution |
| 2017 | 6 | 218 | — | — | 42 | 65 | 50 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 2 | 16 | — | — | 67 | 45 | 59 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 3 | 27 | 1 | — | 67 | 40 | 58 | Good |
| 2012 | 4 | 18 | — | — | 67 | 36 | 56 | Good |
| 2011 | 5 | 17 | — | 1 | 67 | 33 | 55 | Good |
| 2010 | 4 | 26 | — | — | 67 | 33 | 55 | Good |
| 2009 | 3 | 16 | — | — | 67 | 33 | 55 | Good |
| 2008 | 2 | 81 | 2 | — | 54 | 33 | 47 | Caution |
| 2007 | 2 | 103 | 4 | — | 48 | 33 | 43 | Caution |
| 2006 | 5 | 123 | 6 | — | 42 | 33 | 39 | Caution |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Honda Ridgeline Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
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: 2021 (Buyer Score 66).
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: 2014 (Buyer Score 59).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Ridgeline to buy?+
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline scores highest on our Buyer Score (66/100) — combining a reliability score of 57/100 with a value score of 83/100. It has 4 recalls and 65 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Ridgeline years have the most problems?+
The 2017, 2019, 2006 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2017 Ridgeline leads with 6 recalls and 218 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?+
The most frequently reported Honda Ridgeline issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.