CarBrief

The 2006 Honda Ridgeline has 242 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1] and 12 recalls, more than any other model year in our data[2]. If you own or plan to buy one, checking recall status comes first.

242owner complaints[1]
12recalls[2]
17MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 242 owner complaints for this truck[1]. Of those, 21 mention a crash, 15 a fire and 19 injuries[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints
Air bags[4] 63
Electrical system[5] 43
Structure[6] 30
Engine[7] 25
Unknown or other[8] 17
Power train[9] 16
Visibility[10] 15
Suspension[11] 12

Air bags. 18 of the 63 complaints mention a crash and 15 mention an injury, with a median mileage of 117,500 at the time of the problem[4]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 11 describe an air bag that did not deploy as the owner expected in a crash (one of those texts appears twice), including cases where the passenger bag went off and the driver one did not[4]., including cases where the passenger bag went off and the driver one did not[4]. One describes bags going off with no crash[4].

Electrical. 12 of the 43 complaints mention a fire, and the median mileage is 73,000[5]. In a sample of 12 we read, 5 describe smoke, flames or melted wiring at the dash vents or the blower motor wiring, and 3 describe the instrument display blinking or going blank[5]. This matches the blower wiring recall below.

Structure. 30 complaints, none with a crash, fire or injury, and a median mileage of 70,000[6]. In a sample of 12 we read, 4 describe water leaking into the cabin and wetting the floor or carpet[6].

Engine. 25 complaints, 2 with a fire[7]. In a sample of 12 we read, 6 mention smoke, a burning smell or fire, though one of those texts appears twice, and 2 describe the truck stalling or shutting off[7].

Smaller groups are power train with 16 complaints[9], visibility with 15[10] and suspension with 12[11]. We do not call any of these common problems.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2006 Ridgeline[2]. Most recalls below say the fix is free. Many cover only certain vehicles, regions or build dates, so ask Honda or a dealer whether your truck is included. Honda's customer service number in the 2022 notice is 1-888-234-2138[12].

Fuel economy

EPA rates the Ridgeline Truck 4WD with the 3.5L 6-cylinder engine and Automatic 5-spd at 15 MPG city, 20 highway and 17 combined[3]. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,950, using EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the truck was new[3].

Safety ratings

NHTSA's rating for the 4 DR AWD version is 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 14.3%[24]. Our data has no other star ratings for this truck.

Engine and size

The EPA listing is for a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine[3]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US trucks[25].

Measurement Value
Length[25] 207 in
Width[25] 77 in
Height[25] 70 in
Wheelbase[25] 122 in
Curb weight[25] 4,504 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

2006: 242 complaints, 12 recalls24220062007: 160 complaints, 8 recalls2008: 143 complaints, 8 recalls20082009: 35 complaints, 8 recalls2010: 42 complaints, 9 recalls20102011: 39 complaints, 10 recalls2012: 24 complaints, 11 recalls20122013: 45 complaints, 7 recalls2014: 34 complaints, 6 recalls20142017: 345 complaints, 8 recalls2018: 162 complaints, 7 recalls20182019: 237 complaints, 11 recalls2020: 169 complaints, 8 recalls20202021: 102 complaints, 7 recalls2022: 117 complaints, 3 recalls20222023: 129 complaints, 5 recalls2024: 69 complaints, 1 recalls20242025: 101 complaints, 2 recalls2026: 10 complaints, 0 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Ridgeline model year. The 2006 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200624212
20071608
20081438
2009358
2010429
20113910
20122411
2013457
2014346
20173458
20181627
201923711
20201698
20211027
20221173
20231295
2024691
20251012
2026100

Among the Ridgeline years in NHTSA's data, 2006 has the most recalls with 12[2]. The next highest are 11 for 2012 and for 2019[2]. For complaints, 2006 has 242[2]. Only 2017 has more with 345, and 2019 is close at 237[2]. Among 2007 to 2014 models, the next highest complaint count is 160 for 2007[2]. Our data does not list 2015 or 2016. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so use them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2006 Ridgeline?

The 2006 Ridgeline has a heavy recall history and 242 complaints[1][2]. Most of the recall list is about air bag inflators, so ask for proof that every recall was done on the specific truck[13][14]. The frame corrosion recall matters most for trucks sold or registered in the states listed in the notice[12]. The blower wiring recall relates to the fire complaints in the electrical group[5][21]. A truck with confirmed recall work and a clean inspection of the frame and blower wiring is a fairer bet than one with no records. EPA rates it at 17 MPG combined[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Honda Ridgeline?
NHTSA's biggest complaint groups are air bags with 63 complaints, electrical with 43, structure with 30 and engine with 25[4][5][6][7].
How many recalls does the 2006 Honda Ridgeline have?
NHTSA lists 12, including eight air bag inflator recalls, frame corrosion, blower wiring, a fuel pump relay and an owner's manual correction[2][12][21][22][23].
How many MPG does a 2006 Honda Ridgeline get?
EPA rates it at 15 city, 20 highway and 17 combined MPG[3].
Is the 2006 Honda Ridgeline safe?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars for rollover with a 14.3% rollover risk[24]. Air bag recalls apply to certain trucks[24][13].
Is 2006 a bad year for the Honda Ridgeline?
It has the most recalls of any listed year at 12, and 242 complaints, second to 2017[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 242 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Honda Ridgeline (21 mention a crash, 15 a fire, 19 injuries, 99 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Ridgeline model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Ridgeline Truck 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 63 complaints name the air bags component group (18 crashes, 0 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 117,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 43 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 12 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 30 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 25 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 17 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 16 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 91,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 15 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 12 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,800). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 22V430, filed June 16, 2022: Structure › Frame And Members. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 19V499, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 19V501, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 17V029, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 16V344, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 15V320, filed May 28, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 14V700, filed November 4, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 14V353, filed June 20, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 10V001, filed January 4, 2010: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 07V097, filed March 14, 2007: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  23. Recall 06V270, filed July 26, 2006: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
  24. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RIDGELINE PICKUP: length 207 in, width 77 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 122 in, curb weight 4,504 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.