Here Are The Honda Ridgeline Years To Avoid
There are four Honda Ridgeline years to avoid that have the most reported problems. We review which years and why you should steer clear.
The Honda Ridgeline is a comparatively newer model line, which means there is a little less to talk about regarding its fundamental problems and weaknesses. Since this model truck has only been around since 2006, some of its earliest buyers are still driving their original Ridgeline! Of course, even new cars can have bad releases, and there are certainly some Honda Ridgeline years to avoid if you’re looking for the best a compact pickup can offer.
That being said, some of the currently performing well models may have issues that haven’t been discovered yet, especially in the most recent releases. There’s always a little lag between a model’s release and complaints about performance.
That doesn’t mean a new vehicle is a bad option, simply that it might be untested in terms of its long-term performance.
With all that in mind, let’s see what consumers think about the Honda Ridgeline and which Honda Ridgeline years you should avoid.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEARS FOR THE HONDA RIDGELINE
We go through all generations and pick out some of the most reliable years for buying a Honda Ridgeline and which ones should be avoided. Let’s dive right in.
The Honda Ridgeline Years To Avoid
After listing the models that seem to have the most problems from the Honda Ridgeline, we’ll talk about some common issues this truck has and how serious they are for drivers.
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2017
As you can see, the Honda Ridgeline suffered from new car syndrome at the beginning of its release. Like many new vehicles, there were a few bugs with the original design that had to be worked out to get a reliable vehicle on the market.
2006 was the worst year for the Ridgeline in performance and the number of consumer complaints registered against the vehicle. 2007 and 2008 were better years for the truck, but the Ridgeline didn’t hit its stride until 2009 when it started offering peak performance more in line with its competitors.
Common Issues With The Honda Ridgeline
When you’re looking at a car that only has a little more than a decade on the market, the list of problems is slightly slimmer than cars that have been available for decades. That said, some models of Ridgeline do have some pretty severe issues, and it’s important to know what you might be getting into before you decide to buy.
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#4 Cylinder Going Bad
The #4 Cylinder going bad is a serious problem that can significantly affect engine performance overall. Still, it’s also a repairable problem as long as you catch it quickly and get a qualified mechanic to take a look.
This issue usually crops up around 100k miles and is most common in the 2006 model, to no one’s surprise.
It’s also worth noting that, while it’s usually the #4 cylinder that goes, the 2006 model just seems to have cylinder issues in general. Many people have reported issues with other cylinders, though the repair is usually similar no matter which cylinder causes the problem.
In some cases, mechanics may opt for an engine rebuild after this problem, but it’s just as common to replace the engine entirely.
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Failed Fuel Injectors
Another severe issue is that failed fuel injectors are common in a recent model of Ridgeline, the 2017. This issue affects your fuel efficiency, may affect how it feels to drive the Ridgeline, and can severely affect engine performance and overall health if you don’t catch the issue quickly.
Thankfully failed fuel injectors almost always throw a maintenance code, so it’s usually easy to fix the problem. The problem is that this can be expensive, and some 2017 Ridgeline owners report it happening pretty quickly after they buy the vehicle.
With fuel injectors failing as early as 50k miles in car ownership, we’re glad this problem seems to have been fixed in subsequent releases.
A/C and Heater Problems
Thankfully the last common issue with the Honda Ridgeline is a little less severe than the other two. Some models of Ridgeline have an issue where the heater or A/C system doesn’t kick on when it should.
This problem is mostly about driver comfort in the cab, and some drivers may choose not to have the issue addressed, especially if they were thinking about upgrading soon anyway.
Most often, the issue is a wiring problem, which most mechanics can fix quickly. The problem is that getting to dash wiring can be time-consuming, which means that this issue isn’t a cheap fix, even if it is a simple one.
This problem is most common with the 2008 Ridgeline but can happen in any model from around that time.
Transmission Issues
What’s a vehicle without its share of transmission issues? Apparently, the Honda Ridgeline pickup isn’t spared from transmission troubles. Many owners of the 2006 Ridgeline complained about their pickup’s transmission system, particularly how it refuses to shift into the fourth gear.
Other owners reported that the transmission would malfunction intermittently, while others complained about excessive vibrations while on the road. In some cases, the Ridgeline transmission would experience hesitations and hard shifts between 40 and 45 mph speeds. In many of these transmission woes of the Ridgeline, the most common culprit is the torque converter.
Some people reported that a software update had fixed the transmission issues, while others didn’t have such luck.
Electrical Troubles
Another common pain point for Honda Ridgeline owners is the electrical issues. Some owners complained about horns blaring out of nowhere, while some had problems with the vehicle’s forward collision sensing feature.
Another noteworthy electrical issue with the Ridgeline pickup is with the headlights. Numerous drivers complained that their headlights stopped working after a few years. Not only is this a huge safety issue, but it’s also downright illegal. Honda had to issue a recall to address the headlight issue.
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The Honda Ridgeline Years To Invest In
There are quite a few options if you’re looking for the best Honda Ridgeline years. We will be adding the untested 2019 model to this list as well, just because a bit of uncertainty about a relatively new model doesn’t always mean it’s a bad option.
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
You’ll notice that most model years for the Honda Ridgeline are good options and outnumber the Honda Ridgeline years to avoid by a wide margin. That’s a good sign for the model and one more indication that these models might be a good choice for a used car.
We recommend the 2014, 2018, and 2010 models if you’re looking for an excellent Ridgeline to buy pre-owned.
Frequently Asked Questions: Honda Ridgeline Years to Avoid
Q: What are the Honda Ridgeline years to avoid?
A: The Honda Ridgeline years you should avoid are 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2017. These model years have been reported to have more issues and consumer complaints compared to other years.
Q: What is the most common problem with the 2006 Honda Ridgeline?
A: The 2006 Honda Ridgeline is known to have issues with the #4 cylinder going bad, which can significantly impact engine performance. This problem typically occurs around 100,000 miles and may require an engine rebuild or replacement.
Q: What are some of the best Honda Ridgeline years to buy?
A: If you’re looking for a reliable Honda Ridgeline, consider investing in models from 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, or 2020. The 2014, 2018, and 2010 models are particularly recommended for those seeking a pre-owned Ridgeline.
Q: What transmission problems have been reported in the Honda Ridgeline?
A: Owners of the 2006 Honda Ridgeline have complained about various transmission issues, such as the vehicle refusing to shift into fourth gear, intermittent malfunctions, excessive vibrations, and hesitations or hard shifts between 40 and 45 mph. The torque converter is often the culprit in these cases.
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