Is the 2008 Honda Ridgeline reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Honda Ridgeline is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda Ridgeline?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Ridgeline have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

2008 Honda Ridgeline

◆ Worse than typical

2008 Honda Ridgeline
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:51:39.821Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 143
Recalls: 10
Investigations: 0
Top problem: Air bags

Complaints per year

2008: 143 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2003	0
2004	0
2005	0
2006	242
2007	160
2008	143
2009	35
2010	42
2011	39
2012	24
2013	45
2014	34
2015	2
2017	346
2018	162
2019	237
2020	169
2021	103
2022	118
2023	131
2024	73
2025	103
2026	12

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

42% · 60 reports

CRASH

Electrical system

22% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and spark plugs.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-02-27

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that the heating and air conditioning blower failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical wiring harness needed to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-09-16

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that the driver noticed sparks at the vehicle front end. The vehicle was moved to another parking spot and within seconds, the vehicle's hood was on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-29

Structure

10% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

Paint peeling on roof and the hood color black cherry

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-30

Visibility

7% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing defroster/defogger/hvac system and fan/motor.

Service brakes

5% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

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2007-12-05Structure07V542000 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…

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
▮
2008Complaint volume 143 complaints filed for this model year.
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2016-06-29Air bags16V344000 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,...

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2017-02-22Air bags16V061000 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,...

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2017-02-27Air bags17V029000 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...

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-04-10Air bags19V182000 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...

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-08-12Air bags19V500000 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...

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-08-12Air bags19V501000 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,...

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-12-09Vehicle speed control19E068000 Dorman Products, Inc.

Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2022-08-09Structure22V430000 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...

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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Date not on fileEquipment08E013000 Honda is recalling 2,032 hitch style bike racks sold as aftermarket for use on my 2003-2007 and some my 2008 Honda pilot, Ridgeline, and Acura mdx vehicles.

Remedy: Owners should contact thule at 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) to obtain a free repair kit along with repair instructions or owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or Acura at 1-800-382-2238 for further information.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Honda Ridgeline — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Air bags: 60 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 32 reports on file for this year.
Structure: 14 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 08E013000 · Equipment
Recall 07V542000 · Structure
Recall 16V344000 · Air bags
Recall 16V061000 · Air bags
Recall 17V029000 · Air bags
Recall 19V182000 · Air bags
Recall 19V500000 · Air bags
Recall 19V501000 · Air bags
Recall 19E068000 · Vehicle speed control
Recall 22V430000 · Structure

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Honda Ridgeline reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Honda Ridgeline is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda Ridgeline?: The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Ridgeline have?: 10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.