Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag Inflator for 2007-11 CR-V and Other Listed Years and Models.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Honda Ridgeline airbags problems
moderate 60 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
60
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
1crash
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 43% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 8 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 60 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 Ridgeline faced a widespread Takata airbag inflator defect spanning multiple recall campaigns in 2016–2017. Honda letters warned that faulty inflators "could kill or injure you or other people," yet the manufacturer could not deliver replacement parts for months. Owners received recall notices in March or July 2016 promising summer or fall delivery, then heard nothing.
Dealers consistently reported parts unavailable, on back order, or with no estimated arrival date. Owners who called back repeatedly—sometimes five or six times over months—received the same answer. One owner waited from March through August (five months) without progress. Another waited until January 2017 (six months after initial notice) with passenger-side parts still unavailable. A few dealers eventually installed driver-side airbags while passenger-side remained stuck in the queue.
Beyond parts delays, Honda's rental car policy ($35/day cap) left truck owners stranded. A man with a pregnant wife couldn't get a loaner. Another with six family members and Boy Scout towing needs was offered a compact car. Owners cancelled vacations, lost business use, and faced impossible choices: drive an unsafe vehicle or abandon their family obligations. American Honda case managers were assigned but never called back. No compensation was offered for any of it.
Same Honda Ridgeline airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Takata airbag inflator defect – recalled units
Faulty inflators in driver-side and/or passenger-side airbags subject to multiple NHTSA recall campaigns (16V061000, 16V344000, 16V346000, 16V349000, 17V029000, 19V501000). Honda issued letters stating the defect 'could kill or injure you or other people' and advised against passenger occupancy in front seat until repair. No actual airbag deployments or injuries reported in these narratives.
When: Recall notices issued March–July 2016; some reports through early 2017
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated (one case at 183,000 miles); No physical symptoms in most cases; defect detected via recall notice; Owners instructed not to use passenger seat pending repair
Codes mentioned: Resistance in front passenger airbag inflator (code retrieved by independent mechanic in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement airbag inflators or complete airbag assemblies required. Parts unavailable for months; one dealer ordered both front airbags 7/6/16 but passenger-side remained on back order as of September 2016. One case reports driver-side installed 9/17/16, passenger-side still unavailable. Another reports both replaced 8/2/16 after months of delay.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda recalled under NHTSA campaigns 16V061000, 16V344000, 16V346000, 16V349000, 17V029000, 19V501000. Letters stated parts would be available 'summer/fall 2016' or 'late summer/fall 2016' but supply critically delayed. Honda offered limited rental vehicles at $35/day cap or no rental option depending on dealership. Manufacturer stated inability to provide like-for-like replacements (e.g., full-size truck for truck owners towing trailers). American Honda case manager system described as unresponsive; owners report calling 1-888-234-2138 with no return contact. One case (19V501000) showed VIN not included in recall despite airbag warning code.
Delayed parts availability and logistics failure
Widespread inability of Honda dealers and American Honda to deliver replacement airbag parts within reasonable timeframes during 2016–2017 recall. Owners faced 4–6+ month waits from initial notice to parts arrival. VIN tool confirmed parts unavailable for numerous vehicles. Multiple narratives cite dealer lack of stock, back orders, and no estimated delivery dates.
When: March 2016 through early 2017; some owners still waiting 6+ months after recall notice
Symptoms owners cite: Dealers state parts 'not in stock,' 'on back order,' or 'unavailable'; Inability to schedule repair appointments; Repeated dealer callbacks with no progress; Manufacturer unable to provide estimated repair timeline
Repairs/costs cited: One owner followed up from March to August 2016 (5 months) with no parts; another waited from May 2016 and as of January 2017 (8 months) still had no passenger-side parts. Dealers 80+ miles away sometimes the only source of rental vehicles. One owner reported waiting 4–5 months additional even after July 2016 notice. Dealership examples: Bob Howard Honda (Edmond, OK), Ellis Brooks Honda (Yreka, CA), Planet Honda (Lakewood, CO), White Plains Honda, DCH Honda of Nanuet (NY), Spreen Honda (San Bernardino, CA), Bill Pearce Courtesy Honda (Reno, NV).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: American Honda acknowledged 'parts distribution disconnect' in NHTSA documents. Manufacturer unable to confirm availability dates. Case managers assigned but did not respond within weeks. No compensation or extended support offered for months-long delays. Honda letter stated parts unavailable until summer/fall 2016, contradicted by dealer statements in July 2016 of 4–5 month additional waits.
Inadequate alternative transportation during recall compliance
Honda's rental car allowance ($35/day cap) and refusal to provide loaner vehicles created hardship for owners of trucks with specific use cases (towing trailers, hauling family of 6, Boy Scout leader activities). Owners faced choice between driving an unsafe vehicle or accepting unsuitable rental replacements. Some dealers refused any alternative transportation option.
When: July 2016 onward during recall repair delays
Symptoms owners cite: Owners forced to drive recalled vehicles or abandon family activities; Rental vehicles incapable of towing or seating full family; Cancelled camping trips, vacations, boating excursions; Business disruption for owners using trucks commercially; Family separation due to reduced passenger capacity
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report being offered compact or mid-size cars in place of full-size trucks. One owner needing 5-person seating plus cargo space received only 4-person capacity (due to passenger-side airbag restriction). Towing capacity unmet: one owner needed 4,000 lbs with 285 lbs hitch weight; rental offered required $30/day upgrade fee that American Honda case manager refused to authorize. Another needed replacement truck to tow trailer; dealer could not provide. One owner sent 80 miles for only available rental vehicle. Vacation losses cited: Monterey bike ride, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite camping, boating, Boy Scout monthly camping trips.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: American Honda customer service (1-888-234-2138) stated policy of $35/day or less rental cap, no loaner trucks. Case managers assigned but failed to authorize upgrades or provide timely response. Dealers stated 'Honda policy' against rental reimbursement. One dealership explicitly refused loaner, citing 'Honda policy.' No compensation offered for lost vacations, business disruption, or family inconvenience.
Synthesized from 60 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Takata recall air bags
Takata recall. Front passenger seat has been unusable since a july, 2016 notice from Honda stating that the front passenger seat should not be occupied until the airbag has been replaced. Planet Honda in lakewood colorado ordered both front airbags on 7/6/16 since I had not been notified from Honda that parts were available. I finally received notice from the dealer that parts were in and the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda ridgeline. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16v349000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (spreen Honda in san bernardino, california) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Honda ridgeline. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v029000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called white plains Honda (344 central ave, white plains, ny 10606, phone number:…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Honda ridgeline. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16v344000 (air bags) and 16v061000 (air bags). The part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would…
Had airbags trouble with your 2008 Honda Ridgeline?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2008 Honda Ridgeline?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 60 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 75,000 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 95,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 75,000; a quarter make it past 110,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Honda/Ridgeline.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.