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Different vehicle classes · Different segments — choice depends on use case

2017 Ford Expedition vs 2017 Honda Ridgeline

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-05-03 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
2017 Ford Expedition versus 2017 Honda Ridgeline — different vehicles, different jobs

These two come from different segments, which makes a direct reliability comparison less meaningful than usual. Showing the data so you can see what each one is good at and where each one breaks down. The reliability scores (3.5 versus 3.5) reflect different testing populations and use patterns — don't treat them as apples-to-apples.

2017 Ford Expedition

3.5/5
Reliability score
344 complaints
1 recalls (0 critical)
$10,450 repair exposure
vs

2017 Honda Ridgeline

3.5/5
Reliability score
328 complaints
1 recalls (0 critical)
$10,300 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2017 Ford Expedition scores 3.5; the 2017 Honda Ridgeline scores 3.5. 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 2017 Ford Expedition, know what you're getting into on powertrain and brakes. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2017 Honda Ridgeline sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2017 Honda Ridgeline? Watch the engine and visibility. The 2017 Ford Expedition has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

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.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2017 Ford Expedition
2017 Honda Ridgeline
electrical
80 reports
severe · ~$850
82 reports
moderate · ~$850
engine
29 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
67 reports
severe · ~$3,100
powertrain
46 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
38 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
brakes
67 reports
severe · ~$450
8 reports
severe · ~$450
wheels
14 reports
severe · ~$400
No reports
cruise control
8 reports
severe · ~$600
4 reports
moderate · ~$600
visibility
No reports
12 reports
severe · ~$350
steering
11 reports
severe · ~$700
No reports
body
No reports
10 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
airbags
9 reports
severe · ~$1,100
No reports

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2017 Ford Expedition or the 2017 Honda Ridgeline?

It's close to a tie. Both vehicles score within 0.2 points on our reliability index (3.5 vs 3.5). 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 2017 Ford Expedition?

Compared to the 2017 Honda Ridgeline, the 2017 Ford Expedition sees more reported issues in powertrain and brakes. 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 2017 Honda Ridgeline?

Compared to the 2017 Ford Expedition, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline has more complaints in engine and visibility. 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 1 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 $10,450 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.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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