What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda Ridgeline?

Air bags lead with 60 of 143 NHTSA complaints, followed by the electrical system with 30 and structure with 14. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints we read, 9 mention a melted wiring harness or connector.

How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Ridgeline have?

NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year. Six are air bag inflator recalls, one is a frame corrosion and fuel tank recall, and one is a hood support rod recall.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Honda Ridgeline get?

EPA rates the 4WD 3.5L automatic at 15 city, 20 highway and 17 combined mpg.

Is the 2008 Honda Ridgeline safe?

NHTSA rates rollover at 4 stars with a 14.3% rollover risk for the 4 DR AWD. Our data has no other star ratings, and the truck has air bag inflator recalls that owners should confirm are completed.

Is 2008 a good year for the Honda Ridgeline?

Among 2006 to 2014, it has fewer complaints than 2006 and 2007, but more than 2009 to 2014. Complaints are not adjusted for sales, so check the individual truck's recalls and condition.

2008 Honda Ridgeline Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 143 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Honda Ridgeline^[1], and the truck has 8 recalls on file^[2]. The largest complaint group is air bags, with 60 of them^[3], so check recall status before you buy.

143owner complaints^[1]

8recalls^[2]

17MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed 143 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. Three mention a crash, 6 mention a fire and 2 mention injuries^[1]. No deaths are reported^[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group	Complaints	Fires
Air bags^[3]	60	0
Electrical system^[5]	30	5
Structure^[6]	14	1
Visibility^[7]	10	0
Engine^[8]	10	1
Brakes^[9]	7	0
Fuel/propulsion system^[10]	6	0
Power train^[11]	5	0

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for the top groups. The sample is not all complaints, so treat these as examples of what owners describe.

Air bags. In the sample of 12 texts we read, all of them are about air bag recall repairs^[3]. Owners describe waiting for parts, and several describe trouble getting a suitable loaner or rental while they wait^[3].
Electrical system. In 11 of 12 sample texts, owners describe heater or air conditioning blower trouble, and 9 of those mention a melted wiring harness or connector^[5]. Some owners say earlier Ridgeline years had a recall for this and their truck was not covered^[5]. One text describes a fire on the instrument panel of a parked truck^[5]. The electrical group has 5 of the 6 fires in the complaint total^[5]^[1].
Structure. In 8 of 12 sample texts, owners describe rust, a detached fuel tank or frame recall parts not being available^[6]. Some of these owners say they were waiting on recall parts^[6].
Visibility. In 5 of 9 sample texts, the problem is the heater and air conditioning blower^[7]. Two other texts describe the rear sliding window glass breaking on its own^[7].

Engine complaints are 10 in number, with a median mileage at failure of 140,000^[8]. That is a small count, so we do not call it a pattern.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year^[2]. Newest first:

Frame corrosion and fuel tank (22V430). June 2022. Road salt can corrode the frame surface where the fuel tank mounting bands attach, and the tank could come loose and leak fuel. A leak near an ignition source raises the risk of fire. It covers certain 2006-2014 Ridgelines sold or ever registered in a list of states and Washington D.C. Dealers inspect and repair the rear frame at no charge, and Honda may offer to repurchase the vehicle depending on the corrosion damage^[12].
Driver air bag inflator (19V500). June 2019. Replacement inflators installed as a recall remedy or service part may explode as the propellant degrades in humidity and heat. Metal fragments could cause serious injury or death. Dealers replace the driver inflator at no charge^[13].
Passenger air bag inflator (19V501). June 2019. Same kind of problem in replacement passenger inflators, with the same risk. Dealers replace the passenger inflator at no charge^[14].
Driver air bag inflator (19V182). March 2019. Driver inflators installed in an earlier Takata recall, or in replacement modules, had a manufacturing error and may explode in a crash. Dealers replace the inflator with an alternate type at no charge^[15].
Passenger air bag inflator (17V029). January 2017. Passenger inflators may rupture after long exposure to humidity and temperature swings, sending metal fragments at occupants. It covers vehicles sold or registered in listed states and territories. Dealers replace the inflator at no charge^[16].
Passenger air bag inflator (16V344). May 2016. Another passenger inflator recall with the same rupture risk and the same free replacement^[17].
Driver air bag inflator (16V061). February 2016. The dual-stage driver air bag can let in moisture over time, and the inflator could rupture. Dealers replace the inflator at no charge^[18].
Hood support rod (07V542). November 2007. On 410 vehicles^[19], the hole that holds the hood support rod was not punched to specification, so the rod might fail and the hood could fall. Dealers inspect it and add reinforcement if needed, at no charge^[19].

Some of the air bag recalls cover only trucks sold or registered in listed states^[16]^[17]. Ask a dealer which recalls apply to a specific truck. Some owners in our complaint sample say repair parts were not available when they asked, so ask a dealer about parts before you count on a quick fix^[3]^[6].

Fuel economy

EPA rates the Ridgeline 4WD with the 3.5L 6-cylinder engine and a 5-speed automatic at 15 mpg city, 20 highway and 17 combined^[4]. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,950^[4]. That estimate uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the truck was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door AWD version 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 14.3%^[20]. Our data has no other star ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

The EPA listing is for a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine with four-wheel or all-wheel drive^[4]. Size figures below come from Transport Canada specifications, so they are Canadian-market numbers and can differ slightly from US trucks^[21].

Measure	Value
Length^[21]	207 in
Width^[21]	77 in
Height^[21]	70 in
Wheelbase^[21]	122 in
Curb weight^[21]	4,504 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Ridgeline model year. The 2008 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2006	242	12
2007	160	8
2008	143	8
2009	35	8
2010	42	9
2011	39	10
2012	24	11
2013	45	7
2014	34	6
2017	345	8
2018	162	7
2019	237	11
2020	169	8
2021	102	7
2022	117	3
2023	129	5
2024	69	1
2025	101	2
2026	10	0

NHTSA's counts for each Ridgeline year show 2008 with 143 complaints and 8 recalls^[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide.

Among 2006 to 2014, only 2006 (242) and 2007 (160) have more complaints^[2]. The 2009 to 2014 years each have between 24 and 45^[2].
Later years in the list also have higher counts, including 2017 (345), 2018 (162), 2019 (237) and 2020 (169)^[2].
For recalls, 2008 ties with 2007, 2009, 2017 and 2020 at 8^[2]. Years 2006 (12), 2010 (9), 2011 (10), 2012 (11) and 2019 (11) have more^[2].

The list has no 2015 or 2016 entries.

Should you buy a used 2008 Ridgeline?

The data shows 8 recalls on file, including air bag inflator recalls and a frame corrosion recall tied to fuel tank mounting^[2]^[12]. Ask a dealer which recalls apply to the truck and get proof that the work was done. If the truck has lived in a state on the frame recall list, have a shop look at the rear frame and fuel tank mounts^[12]. In the complaint sample we read, 9 of 12 electrical texts mention a melted wiring harness or connector, so ask whether the heater and air conditioning blower has worked reliably^[5]. Neither the recalls nor the complaints say the truck cannot be a fair buy, but they do say to inspect first.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda Ridgeline?: Air bags lead with 60 of 143 NHTSA complaints, followed by the electrical system with 30 and structure with 14^[1]^[3]^[5]^[6]. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints we read, 9 mention a melted wiring harness or connector^[5].
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Ridgeline have?: NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year^[2]. Six are air bag inflator recalls, one is a frame corrosion and fuel tank recall, and one is a hood support rod recall^[2]^[12]^[19].
What gas mileage does the 2008 Honda Ridgeline get?: EPA rates the 4WD 3.5L automatic at 15 city, 20 highway and 17 combined mpg^[4].
Is the 2008 Honda Ridgeline safe?: NHTSA rates rollover at 4 stars with a 14.3% rollover risk for the 4 DR AWD^[20]. Our data has no other star ratings, and the truck has air bag inflator recalls that owners should confirm are completed^[13]^[14].
Is 2008 a good year for the Honda Ridgeline?: Among 2006 to 2014, it has fewer complaints than 2006 and 2007, but more than 2009 to 2014^[2]. Complaints are not adjusted for sales, so check the individual truck's recalls and condition.

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 143 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Honda Ridgeline (3 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Ridgeline model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
60 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,400). NHTSA vehicle records
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
30 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,651). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 140,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,450). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 140,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 22V430, filed June 16, 2022: Structure › Frame And Members. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V500, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V501, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V029, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V344, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V061, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 07V542, filed November 21, 2007: Structure › Body › Hood. NHTSA recall database
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
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.

2008 Honda Ridgeline: problems, recalls and fuel economy