2012 Ridgeline
1st generation
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Taillights or brake lights: parts breaking or coming apart8%
- Per 10k cars
- 8.9
- Complaints
- 24
- Recalls
- 11
Honda Ridgeline Reliability Rankings: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026
According to our reliability score system, the best Honda Ridgeline years to buy are the 2009 and 2011 to 2013. All 4 come from the 1st generation, model years 2006 to 2014.
The 2017 rates Avoid, and the 2018 and 2020 need a careful look. Owners of the 2017, 2018 and 2020 most often report the rearview camera, mostly not working.
No Ridgeline from 2017 on rates Good or better yet. The 2017 to 2024 are the weak spots. The 2025 and 2026 are too new for a final score.
On a tighter budget, an older Ridgeline from before 2017 can be a smart buy. The 2006 to 2014 rate Good or Excellent.
65
Caution
Model score, all years
19
Model years tracked
2,195
Owner complaints
39
Recalls, all years
Avoid1 year
Not rated yet: 2025, 2026, too new for a final score.
Excellent 80+Good 70–79Caution 60–69Avoid under 60 Provisional, with 80% range 70 = average for a car of the same age
Best Years to Buy a Honda Ridgeline
Four Ridgeline years rate Excellent, scoring 80 or higher. The 2012 leads with 84.
84
2013 Ridgeline
1st generation
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Airbags: no deployment in a crash7%
- Per 10k cars
- 8.3
- Complaints
- 45
- Recalls
- 7
2009 Ridgeline
1st generation
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Frame or structure: parts breaking or coming apart6%
- Tires: shattering or cracking6%
- Per 10k cars
- 11.8
- Complaints
- 35
- Recalls
- 8
2011 Ridgeline
1st generation
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Body seals (water leak): water leaking in5%
- Frame or structure: rust or corrosion5%
- Tires: damage5%
- Per 10k cars
- 11.9
- Complaints
- 39
- Recalls
- 10
Also rated Good: 2006–2008, 2010, 2014.
Honda Ridgeline Years to Avoid
The 2017 is the only Ridgeline year rated Avoid, with a score of 58. The others are the lowest-scoring years rated Caution.
2017 Ridgeline
2nd generation
Avoid
Most reported problems
- Rearview camera: stopped working22%
- Engine failure: failure or loss of drive19%
- Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts7%
- Capless fuel filler: sticking or stiffness4%
- Fuel injector failure4%
- Several warning lights at once3%
- Per 10k cars
- 66.7
- Complaints
- 344
- Recalls
- 8
Honda extended the warranty on some 2017 Ridgelines for problems with the keyless start and engine.
Full 2017 report →2018 Ridgeline
2nd generation
Caution
Most reported problems
- Rearview camera: stopped working40%
- Engine failure: failure or loss of drive11%
- Capless fuel filler: sticking or stiffness9%
- Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts4%
- Engine: unusual noises2%
- Key fob failure2%
- Per 10k cars
- 68.7
- Complaints
- 162
- Recalls
- 7
Honda extended the warranty on some 2018 Ridgelines for a problem with the engine.
Full 2018 report →2020 Ridgeline
2nd generation
Caution
Most reported problems
- Rearview camera: stopped working30%
- Auto idle stop system: the car not starting18%
- Headlights: works on and off6%
- Engine failure: unusual noises5%
- Mirrors: wrong readings4%
- Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead4%
- Per 10k cars
- 45.4
- Complaints
- 169
- Recalls
- 8
Honda extended the warranty on some 2020 Ridgelines for a problem with the engine.
Full 2020 report →2024 Ridgeline
2nd generation
Caution
Most reported problems
- Headlights: works on and off23%
- Auto idle stop system: the car not starting20%
- Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead6%
- Stall (cause not stated)6%
- Starter: the car not starting6%
- Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking6%
- Per 10k cars
- 17.9
- Complaints
- 64
- Recalls
- 1
Also rated Caution or Avoid: 2019, 2021–2023.
The Newest Ridgeline Years: 2025–2026
A final score needs 36 months of complaints. Until then we show what we know, and a provisional reading once there is enough data.
2025 Ridgeline
ProvisionalProvisional score 54 (likely 51 to 57), in the worse third of 2025 models so far. Final score at 36 months.
Same generation as the 2024, which scored 62 (Caution).
What we know so far →2026 Ridgeline
Too new10 complaints and 0 recalls so far. First provisional score expected around July 2027.
Same generation as the 2024, which scored 62 (Caution).
What we know so far →Honda Ridgeline Reliability by Year
All model years, newest first. Tap a year for its full report, with the problems owners report, recalls, Honda programs and crash ratings.
| Year | Generation | Rating | Score | Vs average | Complaints | Per 10k cars | Recalls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2nd generation | Too new | – | – | 10 | 3.4 | 0 | Report |
| 2025 | 2nd generation | Provisional 54 | – | – | 98 | 18.8 | 2 | Report |
| 2024 | 2nd generation | Caution | 62 | 2.2× | 64 | 17.9 | 1 | Report |
| 2023 | 2nd generation | Caution | 67 | 1.4× | 128 | 17.4 | 5 | Report |
| 2022 | 2nd generation | Caution | 65 | 1.7× | 117 | 28.0 | 3 | Report |
| 2021 | 2nd generation | Caution | 63 | 1.8× | 102 | 34.0 | 7 | Report |
| 2020 | 2nd generation | Caution | 61 | 2.0× | 169 | 45.4 | 8 | Report |
| 2019 | 2nd generation | Caution | 64 | 1.4× | 237 | 33.3 | 11 | Report |
| 2018 | 2nd generation | Caution | 61 | 2.2× | 162 | 68.7 | 7 | Report |
| 2017 | 2nd generation | Avoid | 58 | 2.2× | 344 | 66.7 | 8 | Report |
| 2014 | 1st generation | Good | 79 | 0.44× | 34 | 15.8 | 6 | Report |
| 2013 | 1st generation | Excellent | 82 | 0.33× | 45 | 8.3 | 7 | Report |
| 2012 | 1st generation | Excellent | 84 | 0.26× | 24 | 8.9 | 11 | Report |
| 2011 | 1st generation | Excellent | 81 | 0.33× | 39 | 11.9 | 10 | Report |
| 2010 | 1st generation | Good | 77 | 0.49× | 42 | 19.0 | 9 | Report |
| 2009 | 1st generation | Excellent | 82 | 0.32× | 35 | 11.8 | 8 | Report |
| 2008 | 1st generation | Good | 75 | 0.56× | 143 | 20.0 | 8 | Report |
| 2007 | 1st generation | Good | 77 | 0.49× | 160 | 18.4 | 8 | Report |
| 2006 | 1st generation | Good | 70 | 0.76× | 242 | 25.0 | 12 | Report |
Vs average: how this year's complaint rate compares with the average car of the same age. 1× is average, 2× is twice as many. Per 10k cars: complaints so far for every 10,000 cars Honda made for the U.S. that model year. The complaint count also includes owners who wrote in only about a recall notice, with no problem to report. The score leaves those out. Generations follow Honda's own model history.
How We Score Each Model Year
1
Count What Owners Report
Every complaint filed with NHTSA for the model year, plus its recalls. Recall-notice filings with no fault are left out.
2
Adjust for How Many Were Made
A popular car gets more complaints just because there are more of them. We divide by the number Honda made for that model year and compare with the average car of the same age.
3
Turn It Into a Score
70 is average. Twice the average rate of complaints costs 10 points, half the rate adds 10. Serious problems count more than everyday ones.
What to Do Next
Check a Model Year →Open the full report for one year: score, the problems owners report, recalls, coverage and crash ratings.Compare Ridgeline Years →Put up to four model years side by side and see which one is more reliable.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs the automaker may still pay for after the factory warranty ends, with its own documents.Look Up a VIN →Confirm the exact model year, engine and trim of the car you are looking at.