2009 Honda RIDGELINE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10292739 · 2009-11-18 (November 18, 2009)
2009 HONDA RIDGELINE RL CONSTANTLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 6 MONTHS AND HAD IT IN FOR ALIGNMENT THREE TIMES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10292739 at NHTSA ↗
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 10456126 · 2012-04-23 (April 23, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA RIDGELINE WITH MICHELIN LTX M/S R245 65/R17 (N/A) TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE CRACKED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WERE DRY ROTTING. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,426. ..UPDATED 05/23/12 *BF
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10456126 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 ↗
Owner report 10568915 · 2014-03-12 (March 12, 2014)
TIRES ON HONDA RIDGELINE MICHELIN LTX M/S 245 60/18 (N/A) HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED AS DRY ROTTING. I'VE READ COMPLAINT 10456126 OF THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THIS IS MORE COMMON THAN ANTICIPATED AFTER A GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED MORE PEOPLE WITH THE ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568915 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10588870 · 2014-05-16 (May 16, 2014)
ONE DAY I WAS USING THE A/C AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. AFTER MY WORK SHIFT I TRIED TO KICK ON THE A/C SYSTEM AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THE SCREEN INDICATES THAT EVERYTHING IS WORKING, HOWEVER, EVEN WITH THE FAN DIAL ON FULL. NOTHING IS FLOWING THROUGH THE VENTS. I HAD THE HONDA DEALERSHIP TAKE A LOOK AND THEY TOLD ME THE HARNESS WAS FRIED AND THAT IT WOULD BE $900 TO FIX IT, WHEN MY CAR PAYMENT IS $600. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE IN 2006 AND 2007 MODELS AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR BOTH YEARS. I ASKED THEM WHY HAS THE PROBLEM N…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10588870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10731166 · 2015-06-30 (June 30, 2015)
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ON, GARAGE SAY'S MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEFLATER IS BAD, UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10731166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10762298 · 2015-09-08 (September 8, 2015)
THE SUNROOF WAS OPEN IN TILT POSITION AND IT SHATTERED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF APPROX. 50 MPH. IT MADE A VERY LOUD SOUND. LOUD, LIKE A GUN SHOT SOUND. FORTUNATELY, IT DIDN'T MAKE ME SWERVE OFF THE ROAD OR INTO THE ONCOMING LANE (IF THERE HAD BEEN AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AT THE TIME, COULD HAVE CAUSED A COLLISION) IT WAS VERY STARTLING. I WAS SHOWERED WITH SPLINTERED GLASS. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES NEARBY AT THE TIME IT HAPPENED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE GLASS COLLIDED WITH ANYTHING TO MAKE IT BREAK. THERE WAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10762298 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.
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 ↗18V041000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2018-01-09 (January 9, 2018)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura RL, 2010 Honda Element, and 2010-2013 Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of 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, Honda is recalling certain 2010 Acura RL, 2010-2011 Honda Element and Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." If not included in zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura RL, Honda Element, and Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher 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 air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are U0H, and G0I.
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 ↗