Last updated: 2026-03-04
Ford Ranger vs Honda Ridgeline: Reliability Compared
Ford Ranger
Honda Ridgeline
Choosing between the Ford Ranger and the Honda Ridgeline? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize trucks.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Honda Ridgeline currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 72/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Ranger and Honda Ridgeline Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Honda Ridgeline is more reliable than the Ford Ranger, scoring 76/100 vs 72/100.
The Ford Ranger and Honda Ridgeline both occupy the midsize truck segment, but diverge in reliability metrics. The Ranger boasts a slightly higher average reliability score of 77/100 compared to the Ridgeline's 74/100. Despite having more recalls, the Ranger has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 5.1 per 10,000 sold, versus 14.2 for the Ridgeline, suggesting better overall owner satisfaction. While independent repair cost estimates favor the Ranger at $615 annually, the Ridgeline's lack of specified repair costs leaves some uncertainty, making the Ranger the more reliable choice overall.
Key Differences
- 1Honda Ridgeline has 17 fewer total recalls
- 2Ford Ranger has 9.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Honda Ridgeline scores 4 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Ranger vs Honda Ridgeline: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Ranger | Honda Ridgeline |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 72/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 52 | 35 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 5.1 | 14.2 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 6 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Ranger and Honda Ridgeline?
The Ford Ranger and Honda Ridgeline exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Ranger showing a notable concentration in power train issues, accounting for 181 complaints, including 5 crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Ridgeline's most frequent issues are related to the electrical system with 170 complaints, though only 1 is crash-linked. The Ranger's service brakes and vehicle speed control also present significant safety concerns, with 6 and 5 crash-linked complaints, respectively, highlighting a potential area of concern in comparison to the Ridgeline. Meanwhile, the Ridgeline has a broader distribution of complaints across categories such as exterior lighting and engine, but with fewer crash-linked incidents overall.
| Component | Ford Ranger | Honda Ridgeline |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.6Very Low | 2.6Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.7Low | 1.3Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | 1.8Low |
| ENGINE | 0.2Very Low | 1.6Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.2Very Low | 1.4Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.8Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.7Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEATS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Ranger or Honda Ridgeline?
How Does Ford Ranger vs Honda Ridgeline Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Ranger | Honda Ridgeline | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 74/1008R / 11C | 85/1001R / 42C | Honda Ridgeline |
| 2024 | 72/10010R / 44C | 85/1001R / 41C | Honda Ridgeline |
| 2023 | 73/1004R / 16C | 78/1003R / 105C | Honda Ridgeline |
| 2022 | 75/1005R / 34C | 78/1002R / 106C | Honda Ridgeline |
| 2021 | 72/1006R / 88C | 75/1005R / 90C | Honda Ridgeline |
| 2020 | 71/1007R / 109C | 70/1007R / 158C | Ford Ranger |
| 2019 | 64/10011R / 237C | 65/10010R / 222C | Honda Ridgeline |
| 2026(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | 83/100(predicted) | Honda Ridgeline |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Ford Ranger scored 75/100 and the 2025 Honda Ridgeline scored 85/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Ranger vs the Honda Ridgeline?
Ford Ranger vs Honda Ridgeline: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Ranger more reliable than the Honda Ridgeline?
- Based on our data, the Honda Ridgeline is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Ranger or the Honda Ridgeline?
- The Ford Ranger has more recalls (52) compared to the Honda Ridgeline (35). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Ranger or the Honda Ridgeline?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Ranger has a lower complaint rate at 5.1 per 10,000 sold versus 14.2 for the Honda Ridgeline. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Ford Ranger or Honda Ridgeline safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Honda Ridgeline has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Ford Ranger. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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