BestCarRank
Honda

2011 Honda RIDGELINE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Honda RIDGELINE has 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 134. The most common issue is air bags problems (61% of all complaints), specifically: i was traveling 20-25 mph when i noticed another car abruptly making a left hand turn in front of me. this car was traveling the same direction as me. i tried to avoid hitting the car by swerving to the right, but i clipped the passenger rear quarter which resulted in a airbag deploying in my vehicl. There are 11 recalls issued for this model year.

2 crash reports

44

Total Complaints

11

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

27 complaints
61%
  • I WAS TRAVELING 20-25 MPH WHEN I NOTICED ANOTHER CAR ABRUPTLY MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN IN FRONT OF ME. THIS CAR WAS TRAVELING THE SAME DIRECTION AS ME. I TRIED TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR BY SWERVING TO THE RIGHT, BUT I CLIPPED THE PASSENGER REAR QUARTER WHICH RESULTED IN A AIRBAG DEPLOYING IN MY VEHICL
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WA
  • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL R
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

I WAS TRAVELING 20-25 MPH WHEN I NOTICED ANOTHER CAR ABRUPTLY MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN IN FRONT OF ME. THIS CAR WAS TRAVELING THE SAME DIRECTION AS ME. I TRIED TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR BY SWERVING TO THE RIGHT, BUT I CLIPPED THE PASSENGER REAR QUARTER WHICH RESULTED IN A AIRBAG DEPLOYING IN MY VEHICL

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Honda RIDGELINE

Based on 11 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 49K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
5
30-60K
2
60-100K
1
100-150K
2
150-200K
1
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (11)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE27/09/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles nationwide. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2012 Acura RL, 2011 Honda Element and 2011-2013 Ridgeline vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the 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. Lastly, if not included above, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2011 Honda Element, 2010-2012 Acura RL and 2010-2013 Ridgeline vehicles 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 air bag 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are H2H and S2I.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Honda RIDGELINE

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,824
Per month
$235
Per mile
23.5¢
MPG
17
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$3,201/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,401/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Honda RIDGELINE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,537
Full coverage / month
$128
Liability only / year
$648
vs US avg
-8%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (truck-fullsize)1.08x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1537

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda RIDGELINE Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2011 RIDGELINE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
LIGHTING(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 44 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: I WAS TRAVELING 20-25 MPH WHEN I NOTICED ANOTHER CAR ABRUPTLY MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN IN FRONT OF ME. THIS CAR WAS TRAVELING THE SAME DIRECTION AS ME. I TRIED TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR BY SWERVING TO THE RIGHT, BUT I CLIPPED THE PASSENGER REAR QUARTER WHICH RESULTED IN A AIRBAG DEPLOYING IN MY VEHICL

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BODY/STRUCTURE: FIREWALL: ON 12/2010, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THERE WAS A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL FROM THE FIREWALL AREA. WINDSHIELD MOLDING: ON 07/2011, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE MOLDING CAME LOOSE & WAS FLAPPING IN THE WIND, I PUSHED IT BACK IN UNTIL A DEALER COULD LOOK AT IT & THEY RE-GLUED IT. HOW

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: FIREWALL: ON 12/2010, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THERE WAS A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL FROM THE FIREWALL AREA. WINDSHIELD MOLDING: ON 07/2011, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE MOLDING CAME LOOSE & WAS FLAPPING IN THE WIND, I PUSHED IT BACK IN UNTIL A DEALER COULD LOOK AT IT & THEY RE-GLUED IT. HOW

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: FIREWALL: ON 12/2010, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THERE WAS A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL FROM THE FIREWALL AREA. WINDSHIELD MOLDING: ON 07/2011, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE MOLDING CAME LOOSE & WAS FLAPPING IN THE WIND, I PUSHED IT BACK IN UNTIL A DEALER COULD LOOK AT IT & THEY RE-GLUED IT. HOW

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 11 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
44
Recalls
11
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
2
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
134

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Honda RIDGELINE