The Lemon Index2023 Honda Ridgeline.
The 2023 Honda Ridgeline is so far one of the worst years by owner complaints: 128 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 207, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about lights, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 21 mpg combined. The best Honda Ridgeline year is 2007.
Early read
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 128 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda Ridgeline year. 2023 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 2K to 53K miles on the car (11 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 5
- body structure 2026
The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
- airbags 2026
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- back over prevention 2024
The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
Show all 5 recalls
- steering 2024
The inner ball joint housing in the steering gearbox assembly may loosen and detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
- brakes 2023
The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
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 64 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop…
- Dealer Message - During development, the idle stop enable criteria was mis-set allowing idle stop
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenNo restart after auto start/stop engages2025
- ClosedRear-view camera failure2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda RIDGELINE PU/CC AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Honda RIDGELINE PU/CC FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Automatic headlight auto bright does not work correctly. Sometimes does not dim to regular headlight and goes back and forth without oncoming cars also.
2023 Honda Ridgeline owner · NHTSA complaint 11505604
More owner reports
Automatic high beams do not come on enough, turn off with slightest reflected light.
NHTSA complaint 11628175
The automatic headlight dimming is extremely unreliable and often dims just when approaching illuminated speed limit signs, or puts high beams ON when approaching another vehicle at night. Bad sensor I think.
NHTSA complaint 11636182
Quick answers
Is the 2023 Honda Ridgeline reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 2.1× the average car's complaints per car sold, against other 2023 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 207; 100 is average). The best Honda Ridgeline year by this measure since 2010 is 2013.
What are the most common 2023 Honda Ridgeline problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (30%), engine (16%) and electrical (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Honda Ridgeline have?
5 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 2023 Honda Ridgeline get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2023 Honda Ridgeline safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2023 Honda Ridgeline have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2023 Honda Ridgeline cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2023 Honda Ridgeline have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Ridgeline year is better than the 2023?
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