Honda Ridgeline Problems & Complaints: Are The Issues Worth Buying?

‍What are the Problems and Complaints with the Honda Ridgeline and are the Issues Still Worth Buying It?

Honda has long been a popular manufacturer of all sorts of different vehicles and many of us have owned a Honda at some point or another in our lives.

From minivans to compact two-door cars, Honda earned a strong reputation in the United States, thanks to its ability to design and manufacture vehicles that are not just reliable and safe, but take our many different lifestyle needs into account.

The Honda Ridgeline is the only truck that Honda produces. The manufacturing of the vehicle started in 2005 and has continued to be produced every year since then.

Currently, Honda sells just over 40,000 Ridgeline’s each year, which is significantly less than the number of trucks that Chevrolet or Dodge sell.

The Ridgeline is built on a unibody-style frame, which means that the whole outer shell and chassis of the Ridgeline is one piece. Many manufacturers believe that this makes the truck a bit lighter than models that have multiple pieces welded together. This may be counterintuitive, since many truck owners want a vehicle that feels heavier than others on the road, and are built to not only be rugged and durable, but to also feel that way when they are driving.

Others like the concept of the Ridgeline’s versatility and feel it’s more practical than other truck designs, since it’s more maneuverable and easy to navigate in areas that larger, more heavy trucks can’t.

The Honda Ridgeline comes only as a four-door extended cab version. Most owners of the Ridgeline claim that its interior is exceptionally roomy for a truck, and they like the fact that the ride feels smoother than most trucks typically do.

Anyone in the market for a new Ridgeline can expect to pay around $40,000 for the base model, and up to $48,000 for the top of the line trim package.

The Honda Ridgeline will work well for the person who wants to be able to haul equipment in the back, or attach a small trailer to the truck, but also wants to use it for errands around town. It’s versatility can make it a functional and fun truck to own, but there are some issues with it that may give you pause before you decide to purchase one.

Some of its biggest problems are worth thinking through before you can decide if the Honda Ridgeline is the next best truck for you.

1. The Honda Ridgeline’s Paint Tends to Chip Easily

Though this problem isn’t going to change the Ridgeline’s overall operational abilities or concern you when it comes to reliability, having exterior issues can also pose enough of a problem to make a potential buyer hesitate before purchasing any truck or car.

There have been many customers who have complained that the Honda Ridgeline’s paint tends to chip easily, and after minimal to little damage.

Now, if you aren’t planning on going off-roading in your Ridgeline, you may not be as concerned about rocks, debris or other natural elements causing damage to your truck’s exterior.

But even small items have been known to scuff the paint job of the Honda Ridgeline.

Anyone who spends much time behind the wheel knows the road debris that our vehicles encounter every day. From large trucks that spin rocks and asphalt off their tires into our vehicle’s outer bodies, to environmental factors, like falling branches or hail can also end up creating visible marks on our cars and trucks.

If your vehicle’s paint job doesn’t seem to be able to withstand these types of abuses, you are going to quickly find yourself frustrated that your car or truck no longer looks like it should.

Again, though this issue is cosmetic in nature, it’s still worth thinking about before you buy a Honda Ridgeline. Paint jobs can be costly and it can be disheartening to see a truck that you just paid good money for starting to look older than it is just because the paint job wasn’t as high quality as it should have been.

2. The Honda Ridgeline’s Fuel Pump Can Be Problematic

Moving to the interior workings of the Honda Ridgeline, another ongoing problem that has been complained about is the Ridgeline’s fuel pump.

The fuel pump is a simple apparatus that’s only job is to move the fuel that you are putting into your truck into the vehicle’s engine. But, though it’s a straightforward piece of equipment, it’s highly necessary for the operation of your car or truck.

Without an operating fuel pump, your fuel won’t make it to the engine, and your vehicle won’t operate. Worse, it could also cause a safety concern if the gasoline isn’t getting to your engine and is instead being transferred somewhere else.

One of the big complaints with the Honda Ridgeline’s fuel pump is that it tends to rust quickly, especially if you live in an area of the country where rust tends to happen more easily.

Often referred to as the Rust Belt, states that border a body of salt water or tend to be highly humid can cause more rust in your vehicles than other states that don’t have these factors.

If you live in one of these states, you may want to reconsider purchasing a Honda Ridgeline due to the fuel pump rusting issues.

You can also consider replacing the fuel pump if you are still sold on buying the Ridgeline. A replacement fuel pump will set you back around $300 to $500, once you factor in parts and labor.

Just remember, the fuel pump may continue to pose a problem regardless of where you live or how often you replace it, so you’ll want to think about this issue before you make a final decision.

3. The Honda Ridgeline Has Had Numerous Issues with the Multi-Informational Display

Another big concern that has affected many of the Ridgeline models is the multi-informational display that comes on all Honda Ridgeline models.

The multi-informational display sits inside the center console of the Ridgeline’s main cabin, directly in between the driver and front passenger seats.

Easily accessible by both driver and front passenger, the multi-informational display screen can help you navigate everything from your radio stations (regular and XM), your incoming and outgoing phone calls and your navigation screen.

The multi-informational display screen is also ideal for sending voice text messages, keeping track of any calendar dates or lists that you need to access and even will send you reminders when your truck needs certain services done, like its next oil change, or when it’s low on fuel.

Not all owners of a Honda Ridgeline use all the features of the multi-informational display system. But, as you can see, it can be super convenient for those that do, and super problematic when it’s not working appropriately.

Some of the issues that owners of the Honda Ridgeline have complained about when it comes to the multi-informational display system is that sometimes the screen will go black and all information will be lost, it will stop responding to finger-touch commands and it will also begin blinking unexpectedly for no apparent reason.

We all know that anything electrical that needs to be repaired on a vehicle is going to be costly. Finding a reputable Honda mechanic to diagnose the problem with your multi-informational display system can also be a challenge.

If having a fully functioning multi-informational display system is high on your lists of wants for your next truck, you may want to really think about whether or not the Honda Ridgeline is the right one for you.