Which Years Of Used Honda Ridgelines Are Most Reliable?
The Honda Ridgeline is known as the truck that challenged conventions. Honda’s compact pickup truck may trail behind its contemporaries in off-road and towing capabilities. Still, the Ridgeline makes up for it by combining the best qualities of midsize trucks and crossovers. The Ridgeline indeed offers superior on-road handling, an SUV-like interior, and a polished ride.
Of course, you can’t talk about the Ridgeline without mentioning its cargo box, which includes a short but wide bed and an innovative underfloor trunk. If you’re looking for a unique midsize pickup truck that drives more like an SUV or sedan, the Honda Ridgeline is undoubtedly worth checking out.
When buying used, you’re probably asking which is the Honda Ridgeline’s most reliable year.
So for today’s post, we go through all generations of the Honda Ridgeline and pick out some of the most reliable years for buying a used truck and which ones should be avoided. Let’s dive right in.
2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline
So far, there are only Honda Ridgeline generations. The first-generation Ridgeline is well-loved by many people and has high owner satisfaction ratings in all model years.
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Avoid: 2006 Honda Ridgeline
Don’t get us wrong; the 2006 Honda Ridgeline is a solidly-built and reliable midsize pickup truck – which is excellent considering it’s a debut model. Unfortunately, the 2006 Ridgeline has several issues and is one of the model years with many user complaints. CarComplaints.com says the 2006 Ridgeline is the worst model year, with 360+ complaints and 14 recalls.
One of the most widespread complaints about this Ridgeline is the problematic cylinder #4, which has the tendency to go bad. The most common fix is to replace the engine altogether, which is very expensive. In addition, the cluster display was also faulty, with symptoms like freezing or outright non-functional.
Avoid: 2007-2008 Honda Ridgeline
Again, the 2007-2008 Honda Ridgeline has the same story as the 2006 version. Both of these
midsize trucks are relatively reliable and boast impressive longevity. However, they tend to have serious issues related to the engine. For instance, the 2007 Honda Ridgeline has received reports of a blown engine at around 90k miles. In addition, premature rusting was also reported for the 2007 Ridgeline.
Meanwhile, the 2008 model year has less severe issues, but they can be annoying. For example, many people have complained about this model year’s faulty A/C unit. It received 180+ complaints and had ten recalls.
Buy: 2009-2012 Honda Ridgeline
The 2009-2012 Honda Ridgeline model years are highly recommended for their consistent reliability and good performance across the board. According to Consumer Reports, these model years have some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings and reliability verdict scores. The 2009 Ridgeline received only a few complaints and nine recalls, and two of its main issues were cracked windshields and rusted rotors.
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Meanwhile, the 2010 Ridgeline also received a handful of complaints, and its most reported issues were soft pedals and minor water leaks in the interior – both minor issues. Unfortunately, Ridgelines tend to hold their value very well, so expect to pay a bit more for a used model from this lineup.
Buy: 2013 Honda Ridgeline
2013 is easily the Honda Ridgeline’s most reliable year. The 2013 Honda Ridgeline boasts a smooth sedan-like performance, convenient cargo features, and top-notch reliability scores. Consumer reports gave the 2013 Honda Ridgeline a well-deserved 5.0 out of 5.0 score for reliability and owner satisfaction. While it doesn’t have the highest cargo or towing capacity, the 2013 Ridgeline excels at being a comfortable daily driver, and it’s one of the most reliable midsize trucks you can own.
2017-Present Honda Ridgeline
Honda paused the sales of the Ridgeline truck after the 2014 model year, only to return with its 2017 Ridgeline.
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Avoid: 2017 Honda Ridgeline
Like many of the Ridgeline iterations, the 2017 model year is an overall reliable truck – much more than the next-best options in the market. Unfortunately, it had a fair share of complaints and reported issues, so we recommend that you avoid this model year if possible. One of the most prevalent problems for this truck is the faulty fuel injectors which had a higher percentage of failing. Leaky pumps and water leaks were also reported for this variant of Honda’s pickup truck. However, even with its issues, a used 2017 Ridgeline might be worth considering if you can find a reasonable price.
Buy: 2018-2019 Honda Ridgeline
As we’ve said in our previous write-up, the 2018 and 2019 Honda Ridgeline model years are some of the market’s most reliable midsize pickup trucks. If you want the Honda Ridgeline’s most reliable year, these two models are strong contenders to add to your shortlist.
The 2018 Ridgeline received only 150+ complaints and five recalls, as per CarComplaints. There were a few reported issues with the transmission, but they’re pretty rare to be considered a primary concern. However, there seem to be more reports surrounding the faulty backup camera. Other than that, the 2019 Ridgeline should provide you with a relatively pain-free ownership experience.
Meanwhile, the 2019 model has demonstrated that Honda has ironed out most of the kinks for the newer Ridgeline models. For starters, it offered a class-leading fuel efficiency at 22 mpg combined. Consumer Reports rated the 2019 Ridgeline a 4.0 out of 5.0 in reliability and a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 for owner satisfaction. However, the 2019 model year is the most recalled second-generation Ridgeline, with eight recalls.
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Common Honda Ridgeline Problems
Here are some commonly reported issues of the Ridgeline truck:
- Cylinder #4 failure: One of the most significant problems, particularly in the 2006 model, is the tendency for the fourth cylinder to malfunction. This often necessitates a complete and expensive engine replacement.
- Malfunctioning cluster display: Another issue noted in the 2006 Ridgeline is a faulty cluster display that may freeze or stop working altogether.
- Premature rusting: Some owners of the 2007 Honda Ridgeline have reported early rust formation, which can compromise the vehicle’s body integrity and looks.
- Air conditioning problems: The 2008 model year has been known to experience issues with the air conditioning system, leading to reduced comfort and increased repair costs for owners.
- Soft brake pedals: Many 2010 Ridgeline owners have encountered a soft or spongy feeling in the brake pedals, affecting braking performance and safety.
- Interior water leaks: Some 2010 model owners have reported minor water leaks in the cabin, which could potentially damage interior components and create an unpleasant environment.
- Defective fuel injectors: The 2017 Honda Ridgeline has been associated with a higher rate of fuel injector failure, which can reduce engine performance and efficiency.
- Backup camera glitches: Some 2018 Ridgeline models have been known to experience issues with the backup camera, such as intermittent operation or complete failure, compromising safety when reversing.
While these problems have been reported by some owners, it’s important to note that the Honda Ridgeline is generally considered a reliable vehicle, with many model years receiving high praise for their dependability and customer satisfaction.
Is the Honda Ridgeline Reliable?
The Honda Ridgeline fits the bill perfectly if you’re going for a reliable used midsize truck. It’s one of the more reliable pickup trucks you can buy as used. Moreover, iSeeCars has listed the Honda Ridgeline as one of the longest-lasting vehicles to reach 200k miles alongside the likes of the Toyota Sequoia and Chevrolet Suburban.
While some models have significant issues, most of Honda Ridgeline’s most reliable year models have strong reliability and customer satisfaction scores. However, even with older models, a used Honda Ridgeline tends to be more expensive than its competitors.
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