2013 Honda Ridgeline Reliability Report

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

Excellent

Ranks 2nd of 17 Ridgeline years we score.

Owner complaints: 45; 30 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 8.3; 18,130 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.33×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 9; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 7
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating

← 2012 Ridgeline 2014 Ridgeline →

Should You Buy the 2013 Honda Ridgeline?

Yes. Our reliability score for the 2013 Honda Ridgeline is 82 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 2nd of the 17 Ridgeline years we score.

The most reported problem is airbags, mostly no deployment in a crash (3 of 45 complaints). 9 of the 45 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 7 recalls. For comparison, the 2012 scores 84 and the 2014 scores 79.

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

Excellent reliability score of 82
About a third of the problems of the average car its age
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Airbags: no deployment in a crash3 complaints

How the 2013 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 problems9 complaints · average car: about 25	0.39×	−10
Everyday problems6 complaints · average car: about 37	0.19×	−2
Problems in the last two years0 complaints · average car: about 3.0	Not counted	–
Recalls7 recalls · average car: about 5.2	1.2×	−6
Score		82

The last two years are not counted for the 2013 Ridgeline. Honda made 18,130 of them, and at this age an average car made in that number would get only about 4.9 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 45 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Honda Ridgeline, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Airbags: no deployment in a crash
3 complaints (7%)
No deployment in a crash and deployment with no crash.

Reported Once (9)

Show the 9 problems reported once

EVAP system: warning lights
Brakes failure
Exterior trim: damage
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
Steering failure
Taillights or brake lights: parts breaking or coming apart
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
Warning lights (cause not stated)

How the 2013 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 This year	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	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

2013 Honda Ridgeline Recalls

Seven recalls cover the 2013 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, June 2019
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 Explode, September 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V662000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 27, 2018. By the first quarter of 2020, 83% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, January 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V041000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 9, 2018. By the second quarter of 2019, 79% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 1 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.

2013 Honda Ridgeline Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has five customer support programs for the 2013 Honda Ridgeline, separate from its recalls. All five are for problems with the airbags. One has ended. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

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)
Customer support programHonda 20-015, 18-056 and 19-002
Front passenger's airbag inflator
3 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:
20-015: Covered until January 31, 2030.
18-056: Covered until January 31, 2028.
19-002: Covered until September 30, 2028.
Bulletin 20-015 (PDF)Bulletin 18-056 (PDF)Bulletin 19-002 (PDF)

2013 Honda Ridgeline NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened one investigation that covers the 2013 Honda Ridgeline. It led to a recall.

Air bags failing to deploy after electrical overstress
Led to a recall
NHTSA's engineering analysis studied air bag computers used by six makers. It covered Honda Accords, Civics, CR-Vs, Fits and Ridgelines from 2012 to 2017. A crash-related electrical spike could damage a chip, so air bags might not deploy. NHTSA closed the case in September 2024 after maker recalls, including 20V-024. It did not clear vehicles outside the recalls.
NHTSA EA19001 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Apr 19, 2019 to Sep 19, 2024

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2013 Ridgeline ratings on NHTSA.gov.

Pickup crew cab 4WD

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Side crashNot rated

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2013 Ridgeline, from its seven 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, June 2019 NHTSA 19V501000
Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, March 2019 NHTSA 19V182000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, September 2018 NHTSA 18V662000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 7 recalls and which are still open.

On the Test Drive

Confirm every airbag recall on this VIN has been repaired before you buy.

Ask the Seller

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

Airbags
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.