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Honda

2012 Honda RIDGELINE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2012 Honda RIDGELINE has 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 134. The most common issue is air bags problems (47% of all complaints), specifically: takata recall. to date nothing has happened but if i hadn't seen something on my local news i would still be driving my vehicle, which by the way only has 22,000 or so miles on it. i contacted honda, which was a drawn out affair to let them know my vehicle is on the recall and they set something up . There are 12 recalls issued for this model year.

30

Total Complaints

12

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

14 complaints
47%
  • TAKATA RECALL. TO DATE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED BUT IF I HADN'T SEEN SOMETHING ON MY LOCAL NEWS I WOULD STILL BE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, WHICH BY THE WAY ONLY HAS 22,000 OR SO MILES ON IT. I CONTACTED HONDA, WHICH WAS A DRAWN OUT AFFAIR TO LET THEM KNOW MY VEHICLE IS ON THE RECALL AND THEY SET SOMETHING UP
  • "TAKATA RECALL" I FOUND OUT MY VEHICLE WAS ON THE RECALL LIST IN FEBRUARY 2016, EVEN BEFORE I RECEIVED MY RECALL LETTER WHICH WAS MARCH 29, 2016. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE ME OR EVEN KILL ME AND DO SERIOUS HARM TO ANY PASSENGERS AS WELL AS SOMEONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. I
  • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA RIDGELINE. THE CONTACT WANTED TO VOICE THEIR DISPLEASURE ON THE WAY THE RECALL WAS BEING HANDLED. THE CONTACT STATED THE LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT PROVIDING ANY LOANER VEHICLES OR WOULD NOT OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR A TEMPORARY LOANER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT M
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TAKATA RECALL. TO DATE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED BUT IF I HADN'T SEEN SOMETHING ON MY LOCAL NEWS I WOULD STILL BE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, WHICH BY THE WAY ONLY HAS 22,000 OR SO MILES ON IT. I CONTACTED HONDA, WHICH WAS A DRAWN OUT AFFAIR TO LET THEM KNOW MY VEHICLE IS ON THE RECALL AND THEY SET SOMETHING UP

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (12)

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 2012 Honda RIDGELINE

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,824
Per month
$235
Per mile
23.5¢
MPG
17
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$3,001/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,286/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 2012 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
$1,663
Full coverage / month
$139
Liability only / year
$648
vs US avg
-1%
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 age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1663

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 2012 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
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 30 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL. TO DATE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED BUT IF I HADN'T SEEN SOMETHING ON MY LOCAL NEWS I WOULD STILL BE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, WHICH BY THE WAY ONLY HAS 22,000 OR SO MILES ON IT. I CONTACTED HONDA, WHICH WAS A DRAWN OUT AFFAIR TO LET THEM KNOW MY VEHICLE IS ON THE RECALL AND THEY SET SOMETHING UP

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

  • BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA RIDGELINE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT GARNISH SET DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. EIGHT MONTHS LATER, WHILE THE

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

  • STEERING: I HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOSS IN POWER STEERING, SOMETIMES, WHEN DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES OF WATER. I SEE THIS AS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AS IF YOU'RE EXPECTING TO BE ABLE TO TURN A CERTAIN WAY, AND THEN YOU CAN'T, YOU'RE GOING TO RUN INTO SOMETHING, AND THIS HAS ALMOST HAPPENED TO ME ON A COUPLE OF OC

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

  • OTHER: Roof Garnish Molding it’s pop ups two times and i change everything new but my concern is when i drive in the highway or interstate that part can blow off to the air and can cause an accident. Last time I went to the dealership was 07/01/2022. That’s my concern. Thank you.

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

  • RECALLS: Verify all 12 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
30
Recalls
12
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
134

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Honda RIDGELINE