2009 Honda Ridgeline Problems & Complaints

Average30% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Ridgeline at the same age

Owners have filed 35 complaints about the 2009 Honda Ridgeline with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Ridgeline at the same age. The most reported problem area is the air bags (21 complaints, typically around 96,000 miles). 8 recalls cover this model year.

35complaints
8recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2009 Honda Ridgeline problems

  • Air bags~96,000 miles
    2160%
  • Wheels & tires~40,000 miles
    39%
  • Body & structure
    39%
  • Steering~0 miles
    26%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~108,000 miles
    26%
  • Electrical system~108,000 miles
    26%
  • Other / not specified~45,000 miles
    26%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    26%
  • Brakes~60,000 miles
    13%
  • Suspension
    13%

Share of the 35 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Honda Ridgeline complaints by model year

’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’262421601433542392445343451622371691021171296910110
Owner complaints per model year, Honda Ridgeline. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Ridgeline years: 2012, 2014, 2011. Years to avoid: 2017, 2019, 2025, 2023, 2020. Compare all years →

2009 Honda Ridgeline recalls (8)

Structure › Frame and members

NHTSA recall 22V-430 · Jun 16, 2022 · 132,882 vehicles

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,…

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-500 · Jun 27, 2019 · 1,558 vehicles

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.

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-501 · Jun 27, 2019 · 1,657,752 vehicles

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.

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-182 · Mar 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles

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…

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-041 · Jan 9, 2018 · 24,945 vehicles

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…

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-029 · Jan 10, 2017 · 308,884 vehicles

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,…

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.

Show 2 more recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-344 · May 23, 2016 · 1,790,894 vehicles

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,…

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-061 · Feb 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 vehicles

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.

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.

What 2009 Honda Ridgeline owners say

Air bags all 21 →

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Honda Ridgeline. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V041000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

148,000 miles · Apr 2021

Takata recall. I have been driving this vehicle around with my wife and small children unaware of the possible harm that could come to them from the "exploding" airbags. We just received our truck back with the fixed driver's side airbag after having a rental for 3 months since Honda did not have replacement parts yet. We just received another recall for the "exploding" passenger side airbag which they also do not have parts for. We have been unable to use our truck for fear that the airbags could hurt our small children or other passengers. We have contacted the dealership and the #s provided on the recall but have been unable to get any response for about 4 days. …

88,000 miles · Apr 2016

Wheels & tires

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Honda Ridgeline. When the vehicle was started, the tire warning indicator was illuminated. The contact placed air in the rear driver side tire; however, the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tire sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tire sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000. Updated 02/12/16

Pressure monitoring and regulating systems · 4,000 miles · Oct 2009

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.

40,000 miles · Mar 2013

Body & structure

Corrosion formed on the rear frame and a recall was issued for Honda Ridgelines. The Checkered Flag Honda dealership tested our Ridgeline, and it failed the punch test regarding corrosion. The fuel tank, which is mounted to the rear frame, can become unsecured as the rear frame deteriorates from corrosion. An unsecured fuel tank could have a fuel leak and an increased risk of fire. The dealership confiscated the Ridgeline and Honda manufacturer still has not issued a buyback or any compensation.

Body · Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Ridgeline. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V430000 (Structure) however, the equipment needed to repair the under carriage of the vehicle was unavailable and was not sent from the manufacturer to the local dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Dec 2022

2009 Honda Ridgeline engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic4WD/AWD15 / 20 / 17

EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Honda Ridgeline a good car?

Based on 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Ridgeline rates average: 30% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Ridgeline at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Honda Ridgeline?

The air bags — 21 complaints, 60% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the wheels & tires (3) and body & structure (3).

How many recalls does the 2009 Honda Ridgeline have?

There are 8 recalls for the 2009 Honda Ridgeline, the most recent from June 16, 2022 (frame and members). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Honda Ridgeline?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2014 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2019, 2025, 2023 and 2020. See the full Honda Ridgeline years comparison.

At what mileage do 2009 Honda Ridgeline problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 46% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.