2008 Honda Ridgeline Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026

Good

Ranks 8th of 17 Ridgeline years we score.

Owner complaints: 143; 57 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 20.0; 43,002 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.56×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 31; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 8
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2007 Ridgeline 2009 Ridgeline →

Should You Buy the 2008 Honda Ridgeline?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2008 Honda Ridgeline is 75 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 8th of the 17 Ridgeline years we score.

The most reported problem is the blower motor, mostly stopped working (26 of 143 complaints). Owners also complain about the frame and body structure and fuel tank or fuel lines. 31 of the 143 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 8 recalls. For comparison, the 2007 scores 77 and the 2009 scores 82.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 75
About half the problems of the average car its age
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Blower motor: stopped working26 complaints
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion7 complaints
Fuel leak7 complaints

How the 2008 Ridgeline Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems31 complaints · average car: about 59	0.54×	−12
Everyday problems55 complaints · average car: about 89	0.62×	−6
Problems in the last two years4 complaints · average car: about 1.4	Not counted	–
Recalls8 recalls · average car: about 3.8	1.7×	−7
Score		75

The last two years are not counted for the 2008 Ridgeline. Honda made 43,002 of them, and at this age an average car made in that number would get only about 2.4 complaints of any kind in two years. We need at least 5 to compare, so we leave this part out. Its 30% goes to serious and everyday problems instead, so they make up 80% of the score rather than 50%.

Each part shows two counts: this year's so far, and what an average car would have at the same age. For complaints, that average car was made in the same number as this one. “Vs average” compares the two counts, but in our scoring system we first add a little to both, so a few complaints cannot swing the result. That is why it is not simply one count divided by the other. The last two years count only complaints about five systems: the engine and fuel system, transmission, brakes, steering, and airbags and seat belts.

What Owners Report

We read all 143 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Honda Ridgeline, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Blower motor: stopped working
26 complaints (18%)
A feature that stopped working, smoke or a burning smell and overheating. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion
7 complaints (5%)
Rust or corrosion and parts breaking or coming apart. 3 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 135,000 miles.
Fuel leak
7 complaints (5%)
A leak, parts breaking or coming apart and rust or corrosion. 1 of these 7 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 129,000 miles.
Brakes: early wear
6 complaints (4%)
Early wear and loss of braking. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 33,000 miles.
A/C: stopped working
4 complaints (3%)
A feature that stopped working and problems that come and go. Median mileage when it started: about 75,000 miles.
Rear window glass: shattering or cracking
4 complaints (3%)
Shattering or cracking. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 38,000 miles.
Cooling system: damage
3 complaints (2%)
Damage and a leak. Median mileage when it started: about 128,000 miles.
Fire (cause not stated)
3 complaints (2%)
A fire. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often a fire. Median mileage when it started: about 56,000 miles.
Steering: sticking or stiffness
3 complaints (2%)
Sticking or stiffness. Median mileage when it started: about 45,000 miles.
Transmission: damage
3 complaints (2%)
Damage and failure or loss of drive. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 124,000 miles.
Transmission fluid leak
3 complaints (2%)
A leak. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 128,000 miles.
Engine mounts failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part and damage.
Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart.
Paint and rust: damage
2 complaints (1%)
Damage and rust or corrosion.

Reported Once (15)

Show the 15 problems reported once

Airbag inflator (rupture risk or Takata): fault code
Battery drain: draining the battery
Engine: surging
Engine overheating
Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
Interior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
Fuel tank straps: parts breaking or coming apart
Problem not described (cause not stated)
Transmission cooler: a leak
Power windows or regulator: stopped working
Stall (cause not stated)
Tailgate: not opening or unlocking
Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
Windshield wipers: stopped working
Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage

How the 2008 Honda Ridgeline Compares With Other Years

The other Ridgeline years of the 1st generation, 2006 to 2014.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2014	Good	79	0.44×	15.8	6	Paint and rust: damage
2013	Excellent	82	0.33×	8.3	7	Airbags: no deployment in a crash
2012	Excellent	84	0.26×	8.9	11	Taillights or brake lights: parts breaking or coming apart
2011	Excellent	81	0.33×	11.9	10	Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
2010	Good	77	0.49×	19.0	9	Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
2009	Excellent	82	0.32×	11.8	8	Frame or structure: parts breaking or coming apart
2008 This year	Good	75	0.56×	20.0	8	Blower motor: stopped working
2007	Good	77	0.49×	18.4	8	Frame or structure: rust or corrosion
2006	Good	70	0.76×	25.0	12	Blower motor: stopped working

See every Ridgeline year

2008 Honda Ridgeline Recalls

Eight recalls cover the 2008 Honda Ridgeline. The most recent was issued in June 2022: “Frame Corrosion May Cause Fuel Leak.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Frame Corrosion May Cause Fuel Leak
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 22V430000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 16, 2022. By the second quarter of 2024, 42% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, June 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V500000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 67% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V501000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 42% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, March 2019
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V182000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 6, 2019. By the third quarter of 2020, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 17V029000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 10, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 68% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, May 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V344000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 23, 2016. By the third quarter of 2017, 58% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 2 more recalls

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V061000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 3, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 82% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Hood Prop Rod Base
If the hood support rod hole fails, the hood could fall increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 07V542000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 21, 2007.

2008 Honda Ridgeline Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has five customer support programs for the 2008 Honda Ridgeline, separate from its recalls. All five are for problems with the airbags. Two have ended. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

Customer support programHonda 18-053 and 20-015
Front passenger's airbag inflator
2 programs with the same terms. Which one applies depends on the VIN.
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
18-053: Covered until January 31, 2027.
20-015: Covered until January 31, 2030.
Another program for the same problem, Honda 18-050, has ended.
Bulletin 18-053 (PDF)Bulletin 20-015 (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 20-011
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Another program for the same problem, Honda 18-048, has ended.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2008 Ridgeline no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2008 Ridgeline ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat5/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2008 Ridgeline, from its eight recalls and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Frame Corrosion May Cause Fuel Leak NHTSA 22V430000
Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, June 2019 NHTSA 19V500000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA 19V501000
Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, March 2019 NHTSA 19V182000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017 NHTSA 17V029000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 8 recalls and which are still open.

On the Test Drive

Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
Run the air conditioning on max for 10 minutes. The air should stay cold.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Blower motor
Frame and body structure
Fuel tank or fuel lines
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Ridgeline Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.