Last updated: 2026-10-10

2026 Honda Ridgeline
RELIABILITY SCORE: 86/100 (EXCELLENT)

2026 Honda Ridgeline Reliability Report

The 2026 Honda Ridgeline rates excellent for reliability. Its only complaints so far involve erratic automatic high beams, and it has no federal recalls.

Recalls

0

Complaints

2

Complaint Rate

5.5per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

N/A

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,850–$3,000

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity71/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs100/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity72/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

Excellent standing and no recalls, but its two complaints so far both involve erratic automatic high beams, and the year is still young.

Top Issues to Watch

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2)

Should You Buy the 2026 Honda Ridgeline?

Reliability standing is excellent, and it is well above average among 2026 trucks. Owners have filed only 2 complaints, and federal recall records show none. Much of that low count comes from how little time this model year has had on the road, so it does not guarantee a trouble-free truck. The 2025 model also rates excellent and about the same, but it has 42 complaints and 1 recall.

Both complaints are about the automatic high beams. Owners say the system switches on and off erratically. It drops to low beams on dark, empty roads, or keeps high beams on as traffic approaches, which can shrink the driver's view and dazzle oncoming drivers. Others report high beams that last a few seconds and then fall back to low. One owner says the system and other safety features stop working below 45 mph. The complaints show no mileage pattern.

On a test drive, try the automatic high beams on a dark road. Ask the seller for any lighting repair records.

See also the 2025 Honda Ridgeline for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • +Strong reliability score
  • +No recalls issued
  • +5-star NHTSA crash rating
  • +Only 2 complaints reported

Cons

  • −Above-average complaint rate for Truck
  • −EXTERIOR LIGHTING complaints dominate (100%)

Compare 2026 Honda Ridgeline With

Common Problem Categories

Other

LOW RISK
  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

0

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2026 Honda Ridgeline — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

5.5

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 0.9

LowAvgHigh
Low

Safety Incidents

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2026 Honda Ridgeline? Check its history first

Exterior lighting problems lead owner complaints about the 2026 Honda Ridgeline, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2026 Honda Ridgeline NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 16.4%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Not Available)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (TBT)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (Info Not Available)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Driver Monitoring System (No)Automatic High Beams (Standard)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Honda RidgelineRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

5Maintenance rating: 5 out of 5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

Honda Ridgeline Resale Value

The Honda Ridgeline is estimated to retain about 85.8% of its original value after 3 years, based on observed used-car listings.

This benchmark covers the Honda Ridgeline model overall and is not specific to the 2026 model year.

Value Retained
85.8%

after 3 years

Depreciation
14.2%

over the same period

Listings Analyzed
50

U.S. used-car listings

Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.

Explore Honda Ridgeline depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

20–21 MPG

Fuel cost: $2,850–$3,000/yr

Fuel only

18 city / 23–24 hwy MPG

Based on EPA fuel-cost estimates. Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
Ridgeline AWD 3.5L 6-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S9)182421$2,850
Ridgeline AWD TrailSport 3.5L 6-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S9)182320$3,000

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2026 Honda Ridgeline.

  • Drive an unlit road at night with auto high beams on and confirm they stay on without cycling off.

  • At night, approach oncoming traffic and confirm the high beams dip promptly and stay dipped until the car passes.

  • Watch whether the high beams fall back to low after a few seconds on a dark road.

  • Change the auto high beam settings, then retest at night to see if the behavior actually changes.

  • Test the auto high beams below and above 45 mph to see when the system turns on.

  • Ask the seller whether a dealer has been told about auto high beam problems and what they found.

2026 Honda Ridgeline Common Problems by Component

2 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaints

Automatic high beams switch on and off erratically. Reports describe the system dropping to low beams on dark, empty stretches of road, or keeping the high beams on as traffic approaches. That can shrink the driver's view of the road and dazzle oncoming drivers. Another pattern is high beams that turn on for only a few seconds and then drop back to low beams, no matter the settings or how dark it is. One complaint says the system and other safety features do not work below 45 mph. The 2 complaints filed show no mileage pattern.

2 complaints total

Best & Worst Honda Ridgeline Years

Best Honda Ridgeline Years to Buy

Honda Ridgeline Years to Avoid

Honda Ridgeline Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Honda Ridgeline reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201870/100Good
201965/100Good
202070/100Good
202175/100Good
202278/100Good
202378/100Good
202485/100Excellent
202585/100Excellent
202686/100Excellent

Honda Ridgeline Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
2026(selected)86/100+1Excellent02
202585/1000Excellent142
202485/100+7Excellent141
202378/1000Good3105
202278/100+3Good2106
202175/100+5Good590
202070/100+5Good7158
201965/100-5Good10222
201870/100—Good6153

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Honda Ridgeline reliable?
Yes, it has an excellent reliability standing and sits well above average among 2026 trucks. Owners have filed 2 complaints, and federal recall records list none. It also earns a 5 of 5 star federal crash-test rating. Because the model year is new, complaints have had little time to build up.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 Honda Ridgeline?
The only complaint pattern is the automatic high beams. Owners say they switch on and off erratically, drop to low beams on dark roads, or stay on as traffic approaches. Some report high beams that turn on for only a few seconds. Both complaints are in this one area.
Does the 2026 Honda Ridgeline have automatic high beam problems?
Yes, both owner complaints describe them. Reports say the system drops to low beams on dark, empty stretches or keeps high beams on near oncoming traffic, which can dazzle other drivers. One owner says the system and other safety features do not work below 45 mph. Test the feature at night before buying.
Has the 2026 Honda Ridgeline been recalled?
No. Federal recall records show 0 recalls for the 2026 Honda Ridgeline. The 2025 model has 1 recall on file. Before buying any used Ridgeline, check the VIN against federal recall records so you see the current status for that specific truck.
Is the 2026 Honda Ridgeline more reliable than the 2025?
They rate about the same, and both stand as excellent. The 2026 has 2 complaints and no recalls, while the 2025 has 42 complaints and 1 recall. The gap mostly reflects time on the road, since newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so it is not a clear win.

Don’t buy a 2026 Honda Ridgeline without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2026 Honda Ridgeline

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2026 Honda Ridgeline does best on repair costs (100/100) and worst on complaint severity (71/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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