2009 Ford Explorer vs 2009 Honda Ridgeline
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2009 Ford Explorer
2009 Honda Ridgeline
Stories from the shop
These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2009 Ford Explorer scores 4.2; the 2009 Honda Ridgeline scores 4.1. Different testing populations, different driving patterns, different categories of failure. Use the data below to understand what each one is good at and what each one breaks.
If you lean 2009 Ford Explorer, know what you're getting into on cruise control and engine. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2009 Honda Ridgeline sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.
Going with the 2009 Honda Ridgeline? Watch the airbags and tires. The 2009 Ford Explorer has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.
On the dollars-and-cents side, total repair exposure across the top problem areas runs 5.2x higher on the 2009 Ford Explorer. That's the number to keep in mind when you're pricing the deal — a $2,000 difference in purchase price disappears the first time you're staring at a transmission rebuild.
Bottom line: these are different categories of vehicle. Pick based on what you actually need it for. We're showing the reliability data so you can factor in long-term ownership cost, not pick a winner.
Side-by-side by problem area
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2009 Ford Explorer or the 2009 Honda Ridgeline?
It's close to a tie. Both vehicles score within 0.2 points on our reliability index (4.2 vs 4.1). At this margin, either choice is defensible — base your decision on the specific failure modes that matter to you.
What goes wrong more often on the 2009 Ford Explorer?
Compared to the 2009 Honda Ridgeline, the 2009 Ford Explorer sees more reported issues in cruise control and engine. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.
What goes wrong more often on the 2009 Honda Ridgeline?
Compared to the 2009 Ford Explorer, the 2009 Honda Ridgeline has more complaints in airbags and tires. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.
Which has more recalls?
Both vehicles have 0 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.
Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?
Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $6,550 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.