Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
2026 Honda RidgelineRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints for the 2026 Honda Ridgeline. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (6) and forward collision avoidance (3). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
20–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
12
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2026 Honda Ridgeline as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
12 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2026 – Oct 2026
- Exterior lighting6
- Forward collision avoidance3
- Engine1
- Structure1
- Lane departure1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Exterior lighting
6 reports
“Honda made a change a couple of years ago from the 2 camera auto dimming of high beams to an all in one camera on the newer models of the Honda Ridgeline. I experienced that the auto dimming of the high beam did not function well on my previous 2024 Honda Ridgeline. And now I have a 2026 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition. It is having the same problem. When driving at night the high beam lights switch on when no on coming traffic. When on coming traffic is seen it is supposed to switch off. I have found that the system switches on and off from road signs and other lights nearby the road traveled. Sometimes it does not switch off with on coming vehicles and they are flashing their headlights at me. It is a safety defect that Honda has known about for a few years, with Ridgeline owners reporting this to them about the malfunction. Honda needs to fix this so that there will not be a safety problem anymore, which could blind on coming drivers to be partially blinded due to the defect. This defect has happened several times when I drive at night.”
Forward collision avoidance
3 reports1 crash
“The front crash system alerts at least once a day, when there are no vehicles in front of me, or when they vehicles in front of me are more than 10 car lengths. The alert with also come on when a vehicle is coming in the opposite direction. This system has alerted on some day up to six times in a day. This started the day I drive the vehicle off the dealer lot.”
Engine
1 report
“I was driving about 75 miles an hour down the highway, the transmission started slipping and then I started to get warning saying transmission problem, pull over, do not drive, etc. I could not change gears at all, could not accelerate or anything. Had to have the vehicle towed to dealer.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
2 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S9)
- Drive
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgeline AWD Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 441 |
| Ridgeline AWD TrailSport Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,200 | 446 |
- 21mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5HONDA RIDGELINE PU/CC N/A AWD
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 16.9%
Overall
5 / 5
HONDA RIDGELINE PU/CC N/A FWD
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 16.4%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2026 Ridgeline questions
How many recalls does the 2026 Honda Ridgeline have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 6, 2026.
What are the most common 2026 Honda Ridgeline problems?
Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (6), forward collision avoidance (3), engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2026 Honda Ridgeline get?
The EPA rates the 2026 Honda Ridgeline at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
How safe is the 2026 Honda Ridgeline?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Honda Ridgeline 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026