Enter a Honda Ridgeline VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details, the generation it belongs to and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.
VIN prefix5FP2HJ
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Honda Ridgeline
About the Honda Ridgeline
Honda has sold the Ridgeline in the US since the 2006 model year, and there have been two generations. The Gen 1 came first (2006–2014), and the Gen 2 took over for 2017–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 39 vehicle recall campaigns and 2,182 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 2. Its 2017 and 2019 model years alone account for 580 of them, with owners bringing up electrical system most often and engine and cooling after that. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 17 mpg combined, while the Gen 2 gets 20–22 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
US model years2006–2026
GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2
NHTSA recall campaigns39
Owner complaints2,182 at NHTSA
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations
Honda Ridgeline generations
Two generations since the 2006 model year. The Gen 2 (2017–2026) has the most owner complaints, the Gen 1 (2006–2014) the most recall campaigns (20).
NHTSA has 39 campaigns on file for Ridgeline model years 2006–2026, and the 2006 shows up in more of them than any other year (12), ahead of the 2012 (11). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
2019
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Owner reports · NHTSA complaints
What Honda Ridgeline owners report
Owner summaries + NHTSA data
Complaints peak with the 2017 (343 of 2,182). Tap any bar or generation.
2,182NHTSA complaints, 2006–2026
64mention a crash
45mention a fire
49injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearGen 2: 1,416 complaints · most for the 2017 (343)
2006···2010····2017··2020····2025·
Top complaint areas · Gen 2
Mentions in 1,416 complaints, 2017–2026.
Electrical system324
Engine and cooling310
Fuel system178
Exterior lighting145
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)136
Forward collision avoidance128
Crashes 26Fires 16Injuries 20
2017–2026 (Gen 2)
NHTSA data summary
The 2017 is the outlier. On its own it has 343 of the ’s 1,416 complaints (24%), more than any other Ridgeline model year, and owners across the generation name electrical system most often (324 mentions), then engine and cooling (310).
Top complaint areas · Gen 1
Mentions in 764 complaints, 2006–2014.
Air bags327
Structure and body104
Electrical system101
Engine and cooling54
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)39
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)38
Crashes 38Fires 29Injuries 29
2006–2014 (Gen 1)
NHTSA data summary
Air bags owns this generation. Its 327 mentions are more than twice the next area, structure and body (104). Complaints peak with the 2006, its first model year, at 242 of 764. Fires come up in 29 complaints, or 3.8% against 2.1% for all Ridgeline model years, which is the highest rate of any generation.
What Ridgeline owners report across recent generations
Owner summary
2017–present (2nd generation)
The 2017 draws the most complaints. Many NHTSA owners describe a rearview camera that cuts out, often linked to wiring in the tailgate, and others report engine knocking or failure. CarComplaints ranks failed fuel injectors first for 2017, followed by brake concerns and transmission warnings. Recalls cover camera wiring on 2017–2019 models that the tailgate can break, fuel pump feed ports on 2017–2019 models that car wash soap can crack and connecting rod bearings on some 2017 and 2019 models that may wear and seize. [1][2]
2006–2014 (1st generation)
Complaints fall off after 2008, and later years have thin owner data. Many NHTSA owners of the 2008 concern Takata air bag recalls, and several describe rear frame rust near the fuel tank. CarComplaints owners report cylinder and engine tapping problems on the 2006 and A/C faults and peeling clear coat on the 2008. Recalls cover the rear frame on 2006–2014 trucks in salt belt states, where corrosion may let the fuel tank detach, and driver and passenger air bag inflators on 2006–2014 models. [3][4][5]
✓
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the frame corrosion and Takata air bag recalls on older trucks and the camera wiring, fuel pump and engine bearing recalls on newer ones.
On an older truck, inspect the rear frame around the fuel tank for rust.
Open and close the tailgate several times while watching the camera, and listen for engine knock.
EPA lists 26 Ridgeline versions for model years 2006–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 407 g/mi (2020). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
Gen 12006–2014
17 mpg · CO₂ 505–523 g/mi
Gen 22017–2026
20–22 mpg · CO₂ 407–446 g/mi
2025
21combined MPG
429CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$3,200EPA yearly fuel cost
4/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
4/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: AWD · Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L — 21 MPG · 429 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
Gas
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Compare rivals
Ridgeline vs Toyota Tacoma vs Chevrolet Colorado
NHTSA + EPA data
Take 2017–2026. NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns for the Ridgeline, against 20 for the Toyota Tacoma and 9 for the Chevrolet Colorado. Pick a range to compare.
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Honda Ridgeline VIN number location
Where to find the VIN on a Ridgeline
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Unlike traditional body-on-frame pickups, the Ridgeline's unibody construction places the VIN at the dashboard plate and door jamb sticker without a frame rail stamp. Instead, Honda stamped the number in the truck bed area near the tailgate hinge, a secondary location unique to this model. The Gen 2 generation starts with the 2017 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (H for 2017) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ
Common Honda Ridgeline VIN questions
Which Honda Ridgeline model years have the most owner complaints?
The 2017 leads with 343, ahead of the 2006 (242) and 2019 (237). Those first two alone make up 27% of the 2,182 Ridgeline complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
How many recalls has the Honda Ridgeline had?
NHTSA’s recall records show 39 vehicle campaigns for model years 2006–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 1 leads with 20. Then come the Gen 2 (19), and a campaign can span two generations.
Which Honda Ridgeline recalls are high risk?
15V-320, 16V-344, 17V-029 and 16V-061 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 19V-182, 19V-499, 19V-501, 19V-500, 18V-041, 18V-662 and 18V-268 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 10V-001, 22V-430, 19V-053 and 23V-751. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
Which Ridgeline generation am I looking at?
By US model year, the Gen 1 is 2006–2014 and the Gen 2 2017–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (H is 2017).
What fuel economy does the Honda Ridgeline get?
It varies. EPA rates the 2017–2026 Gen 2 at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 17 mpg for the 2006–2014 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).
How does the Honda Ridgeline compare with the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado on recalls?
For 2017–2026 models the Ridgeline has 19 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Toyota Tacoma has 20, the Chevrolet Colorado 9. Complaints run 1,416, 1,200 and 1,065 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
What crash rating does the Honda Ridgeline have?
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Ridgeline 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.
