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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-HONDA-RIDGELINE NHTSA data synced 7 hours ago
2012 · Honda

Honda Ridgeline problems

1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 24 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

1
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Ridgeline?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
14 reports · fails ~63,789 mi · avg $1,100
moderate
body
4 reports · fails ~41,000 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2012 Ridgeline's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2012 Ridgeline?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2012 Ridgeline · airbags
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Honda ridgeline. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for…
2012 Ridgeline · airbags
Takata inflators: I had service performed for the takata airbag issue on or about july 13. Within a month the SRS unit light came on. I took it in to lucas Honda, where I bought the ridgeline. After a few days of them not finding the problem, they came back to me and said the…
10/13/2016 · at 63,789 mi · NHTSA ODI #10915717.0 · see airbags pattern →
2012 Ridgeline · steering
1. Left Rear Cam Bolt Seized, YES 2. This will not allow for any movement to have tires probably aligned. 3. Yes, I have documentation available upon request 4. No 5. It was caught during an alignment, I first noticed it during the first rear end recall but area was outside…
10/10/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11549158.0
2012 Ridgeline · electrical Fire
After returning from a short trip to the local convenience store smoke was observed coming from under the hood and also into the cabin as the truck was entering the driveway. Driver immediately opened the hood and witnessed that the engine was smoking and on fire. Driver…
10/04/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11487806.0
View all 24 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2012 Honda Ridgeline? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

critical NHTSA 17V029000 January 10, 2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.
severe NHTSA 12V025000 January 26, 2012

Honda is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 ridgeline vehicles manufactured from august 25, 2011, through november 29, 2011

An incorrect label could lead to improper tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tire and if necessary, exchange the spare tire assembly or replace the tire information placard free of charge. The safety recall began on february 10, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
severe NHTSA 12V432000 September 5, 2012

Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Ridgeline vehicles manufactured on April 18, 2012

Without the proper passenger airbag indicator, the driver and other vehicle occupants may not be informed or aware that the front passenger airbag is off and will not deploy in a crash, thereby potentially increasing the risk of injury to a front passenger seat occupant that may have chosen to sit or been seated elsewhere in the vehicle if the correct indicator had been given.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger airbag indicator free of charge. The safety recall began on September 21, 2012. Owners may contact Honda Automobile Customer services at 1-800-999-1009.

Common questions

Is the 2012 Honda Ridgeline reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Honda Ridgeline is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2012 Honda Ridgeline?

The 2012 Honda Ridgeline is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Honda Ridgeline?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 14 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,789 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 63,789 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Honda Ridgeline has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Honda Ridgeline?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 24 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Honda/Ridgeline. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Honda. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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