Honda Ridgeline Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Honda Ridgeline model year (2006–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Honda Ridgeline Years to Avoid
4 recalls · 224 complaints
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 236
5 recalls · 143 complaints
12 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 182
7 recalls · 125 complaints
6 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 158
Best Honda Ridgeline Years to Buy
0 recalls · 7 complaints
Main area: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Problem score: 13
2 recalls · 16 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 22
4 recalls · 16 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 28
Found the right year? Verify that specific Ridgeline with a free VIN report.
Honda Ridgeline — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 7 | 3 | — | 13 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 2 | 65 | 3 | — | 77 | Good |
| 2024 | 1 | 45 | — | — | 48 | Good |
| 2023 | 5 | 69 | — | — | 84 | Caution |
| 2022 | 3 | 94 | 2 | — | 107 | Caution |
| 2021 | 4 | 66 | 1 | — | 80 | Good |
| 2020 | 6 | 133 | 2 | — | 155 | Avoid |
| 2019 | 5 | 143 | 12 | — | 182 | Avoid |
| 2018 | 3 | 110 | 2 | — | 123 | Caution |
| 2017 | 4 | 224 | — | — | 236 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 2 | 16 | — | — | 22 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 3 | 27 | 1 | — | 38 | Good |
| 2012 | 5 | 18 | — | — | 33 | Good |
| 2011 | 5 | 17 | — | 1 | 37 | Good |
| 2010 | 5 | 26 | — | — | 41 | Good |
| 2009 | 4 | 16 | — | — | 28 | Good |
| 2008 | 3 | 81 | 2 | — | 94 | Caution |
| 2007 | 3 | 103 | 4 | — | 120 | Caution |
| 2006 | 7 | 125 | 6 | — | 158 | Avoid |
All 19 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Honda Ridgeline Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Ridgeline models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 13 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2014Mid-decade Ridgeline units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2014 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Ridgeline models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Ridgeline should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2017 Honda Ridgeline if possible. It has 4 recalls, 224 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 236 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Ridgeline to buy?+
The 2026 Honda Ridgeline is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 13. It has only 0 recalls and 7 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Ridgeline has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2014, 2009 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Honda Ridgeline Research
Check a Specific Honda Ridgeline VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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