2009 Honda RIDGELINE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 35 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 21 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Air Bags: 21; Electrical System: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Steering: 2; Structure: 2; Tires: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 19; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10308596 · 2010-02-10 (February 10, 2010)
TRAVELING IN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 70-75 MPH FOR 60 MINUTES THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, LET THE VEHICLE IDLE TILL THE OVERHEATING LIGHT WENT OUT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10308596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10853756 · 2016-04-06 (April 6, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS HESITATING AND THE ENGINE REVVED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL AS AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR, THE TRANS COOLER LINE AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10824793 · 2016-02-08 (February 8, 2016)
STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG WENT OFF ON A FENDER BENDER ON THE LIE
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10824793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11196616 · 2019-04-16 (April 16, 2019)
IT'S HARD TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL. IT'S ONLY EASY TO TURN WHEN I'M HITTING THE GAS. WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BREAK IT'S HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I CANNOT PARALLEL PARK BECAUSE I HAVE TO PRESS THE BREAK. AT THE HOSPITAL I AM NOT ALLOWED TO GET VALET PARKING BECAUSE THEY SAY MY VEHICLE IS TOO RISKY FOR THE OTHER VEHICLES BECAUSE THEY CANNOT PARK BECAUSE MY STEERING WHEEL IS TOO TIGHT TO TURN. I HAVE SICKLY KIDS AND IT'S SAD BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS RECOGNIZE MY VEHICLE AND WILL NOT VALET PARK MY CAR FOR THE EMERGENCY ROOM. I TOOK IT TO MANY ME…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11196616 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11549448 · 2023-10-11 (October 11, 2023)
After driving through Lake Alfred and getting on I-4 heading NE bound toward Orlando, I noticed a very loud noise. I drove to the next exit a few miles down the road (the car seemed to handle fine), Exit 55 at Davenport FL. On the exit ramp, I began to smell burning rubber. After pulling over into the grass off of the exit ramp (to clear traffic) and coming to a complete stop - I smelt Gasoline. I killed the ignition and looked under the vehicle (see attachments). I immediately called 911 to get a fire truck - as to my surprise - I had a f…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11549448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11653997 · 2025-04-10 (April 10, 2025)
Corrosion formed on the rear frame and a recall was issued for Honda Ridgelines. The Checkered Flag Honda dealership tested our Ridgeline, and it failed the punch test regarding corrosion. The fuel tank, which is mounted to the rear frame, can become unsecured as the rear frame deteriorates from corrosion. An unsecured fuel tank could have a fuel leak and an increased risk of fire. The dealership confiscated the Ridgeline and Honda manufacturer still has not issued a buyback or any compensation.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11653997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10491650 · 2013-01-07 (January 7, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FULLY DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VSA LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND REQUIRED FURTHER DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10491650 at NHTSA ↗