How Long Do Honda Ridgeline Last? (Solved & Explained)

With its car-based design, the Honda Ridgeline is about the most radical truck you’ll come across.

It lacks truck-like performance and capability, but it makes up for this with impressive fuel consumption, ride quality, and a well-designed interior.

Also, check our article about common problems with the Honda Ridgelines, it’s worth a read!

Here is the short answer about how long Honda Ridgeline last:

So long as you avoid driving it harshly and maintain it properly, a Honda Ridgeline should last you up to 300,000 miles. Calculated in years, the longevity of the Honda Ridgeline means it can last 20 years with minimal repairs.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from A Honda Ridgeline?

Since its release, the Honda Ridgeline has polarized both the automotive press and truck buyers. Some argue that the Ridgeline, with its car-based structure, cannot be a truck. Both both parties agree the vehicle is reliable.

According to an iSeeCars study, the Honda Ridgeline is the longest-lasting truck on the market. The benchmark used was 200,000 miles, with over 3% of Ridgelines on the road having over 300k miles on them.

We have more here on how many miles a Honda Ridgeline will run.

Based on mileage reports of owners, a new Honda Ridgeline should be good for another 300,000 miles. So, at the very least, you can expect between 250,000-300,000 miles from your Honda Ridgeline truck.

You’ll likely replace components like timing belt around 100,000-150,000 miles, but with regular maintenance, you’ll prevent something major like the engine from failing before the truck clocks 250,000 miles or more.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on A Honda Ridgeline?

Like every other vehicle, the Honda Ridgeline gets some rust now and then. However, our research revealed that the Ridgelines don’t rust as early as some trucks do.

In fact, you likely won’t get significant rust on your Honda Ridgeline until after 100,000 miles.

This may vary for you depending on where you live-people living in the “Rust Belt” get rust earlier than their counterparts. A good way to prevent rust on your Honda Ridgeline is to treat the parts with anti-rust solution.

Some years are better than others though. You can check the best and worst years for Honda Ridgeline here.

Here are some parts prone to rust on the Honda Ridgeline:

• Rocker panels
• Exhaust system
• Suspension assembly
• Wheel knuckles

Please also read our article on driving the Ridgeline in snow and winter.

How Long Does Honda Ridgeline Last Compared to Similar Car Models?

From all indications, the Honda Ridgeline makes for a great truck. However, some say it is hardly a “real truck” and cannot be as durable as other models in the compact truck segment.

Our research revealed these claims to be false; the Honda Ridgeline is as reliable as any compact truck available. In fact, we saw that some of these “real trucks” are less durable compared to the Honda Ridgeline.

Here are some comparisons:

Honda Ridgeline vs. Chevrolet Colorado

From first impressions, the Colorado and the Ridgeline are two different models. While the former has a sturdy build to handle rugged driving and towing, the latter is the opposite.

Despite this, you will get the same service life on a Chevrolet Colorado and a Honda Ridgeline. Chevrolet Colorados come with a 300,000-mile lifespan, which is the same with a Honda Ridgeline.

Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma

Both vehicles are from automakers renowned for reliability, so it’s natural that they share the same level of reliability. Toyota Tacomas can reportedly go 300,000 miles before they need major repairs. Similarly, you can get 250,000-300,000 miles out of a Honda Ridgeline, with appropriate use/maintenance.

Some things are worth noting in this comparison, though.

First, the Tacoma is cheaper to maintain, on average, compared to the Honda Ridgeline. RepairPal estimates you will spend an average of $473 on annual maintenance for a Tacoma and $502 for a Ridgeline.

A negligible difference, but it could affect ownership costs and, ultimately, your decision to keep your truck for long.

Second, the Tacoma boasts more towing capacity and off-road ability than the Ridgeline. The 2020 base Tacoma can tow up to 6400 pounds, while the 2020 Ridgeline AWD can tow a maximum of 5,000 pounds.

The Tacoma has a bigger engine suited to off-road driving better than the Ridgeline’s tame V-6.

Then again, the Honda Ridgeline has the highest-quality interior of any compact truck, including the Tacoma. In addition, its use of independent suspension makes it more comfortable to ride compared to the Tacoma.

If you do a lot of off-road driving and towing, the Tacoma is the better option. But then, if you do mostly highway driving with little towing, the Ridgeline is a perfect choice for you.

Honda Ridgeline vs. Nissan Frontier

The Nissan Frontier is what you’d describe as a “real truck”. Still, it isn’t as durable as the Honda Ridgeline.

Honda Ridgeline owners report getting 300,000 miles from their trucks, but the best you can get from a Nissan Frontier is about 200,000 miles.

Make sure to also read our article on Honda Ridgeline and keyfob features..

How Reliable Is a Honda Ridgeline?

If there’s any truck that could win top honors for reliability, it’d be the Honda Ridgeline. It may receive criticism for its looks, but there’s no denying its impressive reliability.

If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable truck, we’ll recommend the Honda Ridgeline.

Here’s what top publications have said about the Honda Ridgeline’s reliability:

J.D. Power gives the 2020 Honda Ridgeline an impressive 4.5/5 predicted reliability rating. And it also announced the Ridgeline as the second most-dependable midsize truck on its 2020 Vehicle Dependability Study.

RepairPal gives the Honda Ridgeline a 3.5/5 reliability rating, which is above the average for midsize trucks.

The Best and Worst Years for Honda Ridgeline

The worst model year within the Honda Ridgeline lineup has to be the 2006 Honda Ridgeline. For some background, the 2006 Honda Ridgeline has the most recalls (9), so it’s obvious the model had many problems.

Let’s dive into some of these problems below:

i. Engine issues: According to owners, the #4 cylinder in the engines of the 2006 Honda Ridgelines are susceptible to premature failure. This happens even when the engine gets adequate maintenance.

Symptoms of this problem include white smoke on startup, “Check Engine Light” flashing, and erratic engine performance. The problem appears early into the truck’s life (104.550 miles) and costs around $2,970 to fix.

ii. Malfunctioning interior accessories: Owners report that some in-cabin accessories on the 2006 Honda Ridgeline are prone to multiple malfunctions. A good example is the radio light, which users say works only when it wants to.

Another faulty accessory is the cluster display, which some drivers had to replace for about $1,180.

Based on available evidence, the 2018-2019 Honda Ridgeline remain the best model years so far.

There have been few complaints from owners concerning these models, and they have few recalls. Overall, any Honda Ridgeline model released between 2018 and 2019 will make for a good truck.

Also read our article on how long the Ford F-150 last.

What About Recalls for These Models?

Since its release in 2006, the Honda Ridgeline has seen 21 recalls.

With 9 recalls so far, the 2006 Honda Ridgeline is the most-recalled model year.

Here are recall numbers for the other Honda Ridgeline model years:

• 2006: 9 recalls
• 2012: 7 recalls
• 2011: 6 recalls
• 2008 5 recalls
• 2010: 5 recalls
• 2007: 5 recalls
• 2009: 4 recalls
• 2013: 3 recalls
• 2019: 3 recalls
• 2014: 2 recalls
• 2017: 2 recalls
• 2018: 2 recalls

Honda Ridgeline Model Year List

Here are the model years for the Honda Ridgeline:

• 2006 Honda Ridgeline
• 2007 Honda Ridgeline
• 2008 Honda Ridgeline
• 2009 Honda Ridgeline
• 2010 Honda Ridgeline
• 2011 Honda Ridgeline
• 2012 Honda Ridgeline
• 2013 Honda Ridgeline
• 2014 Honda Ridgeline
• 2015 Honda Ridgeline
• 2016 Honda Ridgeline
• 2017 Honda Ridgeline
• 2018 Honda Ridgeline
• 2019 Honda Ridgeline
• 2020 Honda Ridgeline

Are Honda Ridgelines Expensive to Maintain?

The Honda Ridgeline costs an average of $502 to maintain in a year. This puts it among the ranks of least expensive trucks to maintain.

For instance, the average compact truck costs $548 in annual service expenses. While $46 may seem small, these costs will quickly add up in the long run.

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

We have heard owners say they got up to 60,000 miles from their OEM brakes and we think you can, too. This will depend on your driving habits and your rate of maintenance.

For instance, if you brake frequently and don’t service them regularly, they will wear out sooner than expected.

How Long Do the Tires Last?

The stock tires on any Honda Ridgeline should last between 30,000 to 50,000 miles. This translates to about two to three years of service from a set of tires which, to be fair, isn’t bad for a truck.

How Long Does the Transmission Last?

Given proper maintenance, the transmission should have a lifespan of 130,000-180,000 miles. This can vary wildly in your case; you can get less than 100,000 miles from your transmission or twice that.

Whichever way, regular maintenance is key to preserving your transmission.

How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?

Per owners, the spark plugs on Honda Ridgelines last long and will only require replacement around 100,000 miles.

What About Insurance Cost?

According to estimates, you will spend an average of $2,292 annually on maintenance for a Honda Ridgeline ($191/month).

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Honda Ridgeline

Here are ways to prolong the life of your Honda Ridgeline:

• Don’t drive your vehicle aggressively
• Perform scheduled maintenance regularly
• Avoid towing above the specified limit as this could damage both the transmission and engine.

References

Repairpal.com

jdpower.com

carcomplaints.com

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