2008 Honda RIDGELINE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
143 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 73 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 60 of 143 complaints (42.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 24 | 16.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 10 | 7.0% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 4.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 3.5% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 2.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.7% |
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 | 60 |
| Electrical System | 29 |
| Structure | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
Air Bags: 60; Electrical System: 29; Structure: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 6; Structure:Body: 6; Engine: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 6
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 70 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 56 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2008: 2; 2009: 6; 2010: 11; 2011: 8; 2012: 3; 2013: 7; 2014: 7; 2015: 4; 2016: 56; 2017: 12; 2018: 4; 2019: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 7; 2023: 4; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 24 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10243039 · 2008-09-22 (September 22, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER TAILGATE WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CABLES CONNECTING TO THE TAILGATE BECAME LOOSE, WHICH CAUSED THE COMPONENT TO FAIL. THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE CABLES, BUT THE FAILURE IMMEDIATELY RECURRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 7,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10252599 · 2008-12-22 (December 22, 2008)
IN A SNOW STORM AS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE WORKING SNOW STARTED TO BUILD UP IN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE WINDSHIELD AS THE WIPERS PUSHED IT DOWN. THE SPACE FILLED WITH PACKED SNOW FROM THE WIPERS PACKING IT DOWN. AT THE POINT WHEN THE SPACE WAS FULL THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN UNTIL THE SNOW WAS CLEANED OUT BY HAND. ONCE CLEARED THE SNOW STARTED TO BUILD UP AGAIN FOLLOWED BY THE WIPERS STOPPING AGAIN, AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIRST SNOW STORM IN THIS TRUCK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252599 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10254789 · 2009-01-12 (January 12, 2009)
THE HEATER / AC STOPPED WORKING ON MY 08 RTS HONDA RIDGELINE. THERE WERE NO EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT HEATER WIRE HARNESS OVERHEATED AND BURNED UP FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. THEY ARE HAVING TO ORDER THE REPLACEMENT PARTS, BUT I AM CONCERNED WHETHER THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,004 miles reported. Look up ODI 10254789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10260128 · 2009-02-26 (February 26, 2009)
2008 HONDA ENGINE SURGE WHEN RUNNING NORMAL SPEED. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WHEN HE WAS SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A STOP. THE SURGE WOULD LAST ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS AND THE RPM'S WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL. IT WOULD ALSO HAPPEN WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING AT REGULAR TEMPERATURE OR WHEN IT WAS COLD AND WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON OR OFF. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10260128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10277618 · 2009-07-21 (July 21, 2009)
THE AIR CONDITIONER ON MY NEW 2008 HONDA RIDGELINE STOPPED WORKING. TRUCK HAD 4,000 MILES AT THE TIME. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT A WIRE INSIDE THE DASH BOARD HAD MELTED AND THAT A WIRE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRS WERE MADE UNDER WARRANTY AND PROBLEM IS RESOLVED BUT I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE A FIRE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10277618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10280411 · 2009-08-14 (August 14, 2009)
2006-2009 HONDA RIDGELINES COME WITH AN EMERGENCY TIRE JACK THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ALL WHO USE IT. THE JACK IS TOO SMALL IN SIZE AND BARELY LIFTS THE RIDGELINE ON A FLAT CONCRETE SURFACE. IF THIS JACK WAS USED IN AN EMERGENCY ON THE SIDE OF A ROAD OR ANY OTHER SOFT SURFACE AREA IT WOULD NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD MOST LIKELY FALL. THE JACK BENDS AT ITS MAX HEIGHT REQUIRED TO LIFT THE RIDGELINE UP ENOUGH TO CHANGE A TIRE AT THE JACK POINTS CALLED OUT BY THE OWNERS MANUAL. AMERICAN HONDA HAS BEEN NOTIFIED BY SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE RID…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280411 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10281686 · 2009-08-25 (August 25, 2009)
POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD: A/C STOPPED WORKING ON 22ND OF AUGUST. DEALER SHIP SAID THAT THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND BLOWER FAN SEIZED. THE FUSE DID NOT BLOW. THEY SAID THEY ARE ALSO GOING TO REPLACE THE TRANSISTOR ON THE CIRCUIT. THE CAR IS A 2008 HONDA RIDGELINE RTX WITH 15000 MILES ON IT. THE HIGH TEMPERATURE WAS 86 F. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10283825 · 2009-09-13 (September 13, 2009)
WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH MY REAR SLIDE WINDOW PARTIALLY OPEN ON MY 2008 HONDA RIDGELINE THE WINDOW SUDDENLY IMPLODED INTO THE REAR AREA OF THE TRUCK. GLASS SPRAYED ALL OVER THE BACK SEAT DOWN BETWEEN THE GAPS IN THE BACK WALL AND A AMALL AMOUNT INTO THE BED. IN ORDER TO ENSURE THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY SOMETHING OUTSIDE THE TRUCK I CALLED THE LOCAL POLICE WHO CHECKED THE TRUCK LOOKING FOR ROCKS, BULLETS, BBS, ETC. THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS NO EXTERNAL CAUSE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 29,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10283825 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V542000 · Structure:Body:Hood
Reported: 2007-11-21 (November 21, 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. THE HOOD SUPPORT ROD MAY FAIL TO HOLD THE HOOD IN POSITION DUE TO INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH.
Consequence: IF THE HOOD SUPPORT ROD HOLE FAILS, THE HOOD COULD FALL INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PROP ROD BASE HOLE AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL REINFORCEMENT PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V061000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-02-03 (February 3, 2016)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. 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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V344000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-05-23 (May 23, 2016)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V029000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V182000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. 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 containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V500000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. 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 absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V501000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. 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 absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V430000 · Structure:Frame And Members
Reported: 2022-06-16 (June 16, 2022)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles that were sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. An accumulation of road salt may cause the frame mounting surface, where the fuel tank mounting bands are attached, to corrode and possibly detach the fuel tank, which can result in a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the rear frame, as necessary, free of charge. Depending on the extent of any corrosion damage, Honda may offer to repurchase the vehicle. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is LCD.
NHTSA campaign record ↗