The Lemon Index2008 Honda Ridgeline.
The 2008 Honda Ridgeline is better than average by owner complaints: 27 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 79, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 17 mpg combined. The best Honda Ridgeline year is 2007.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 143 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda Ridgeline year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 39K to 108K miles on the car (73 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 44K–95K miles
Recalls 10
- body structure 2022
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- speed control 2019
The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high a…
Show all 10 recalls
- airbags 2019
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high …
- airbags 2019
The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containi.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- equipment 2008
HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES.
- body structure 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE HOLE IN THE SHEETMETAL FRONT BULKHEAD THAT SERVES AS THE BASE AND PIVOT POINT FOR THE HOOD SUPPORT ROD WAS NOT PUNCHED TO SPECIFICATION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 53 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing
- Service bulletin - A pop or clunk is heard from the rear suspension in cold weather going over…
- These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The blower fan on my 2008 Honda Ridgeline recently quit working. The dealership found that the wiring harness had melted causing the fan to stop working. The wiring harness was replaced. I did not receive the old harness.
2008 Honda Ridgeline owner · NHTSA complaint 10347336
More owner reports
Canada - Honda Ridgeline soft break peddle with little effort.
NHTSA complaint 10372301
Premature wearing out of brake pads and rotor on right side rear axle.
NHTSA complaint 10354402
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Honda Ridgeline reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 79; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Ridgeline year by this measure since 2010 is 2013.
What are the most common 2008 Honda Ridgeline problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (26%), brakes (22%) and visibility (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Ridgeline have?
10 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Honda Ridgeline get?
17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Honda Ridgeline problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 39,000 and 108,000 miles. The middle report was at 70,000 miles, from 73 complaints.
Does the 2008 Honda Ridgeline have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Honda Ridgeline cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Honda Ridgeline have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Ridgeline year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2018 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works