Is the 2006 Honda Ridgeline a bad year?
244 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Ridgeline years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2006 Honda Ridgeline are in line with other Ridgeline years. Air bags stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Ridgeline owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 115,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 63 (26%) | 78k–133k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 32 (13%) | 32k–148k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 22 (9%) | 64k–115k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 16 (7%) | 60k–138k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 43 (18%) | 40k–102k miles · mostly behind | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Visibility and wipers | 16 (7%) | 35k–106k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 15 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 13 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 115,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 244 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 15 mention a fire · 18 report an injury · 8 say the car was towed.
5 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The A/C condenser fan get loose and its blade were moving unproperly making a large hole in the radiator.
The cooling line for the transmission where it enters the bottom of the radiator failed due to galvanic corrosion.
Honda ridgeline 2006 air conditioning lines are located right next to an engine bracket. Over time (3YRS) the aluminum pipe wears out causing the freon to leak out of the system and the compressor to stop working.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 115,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Honda Ridgeline: 14
An accumulation of road salt may cause the frame mounting surface, where the fuel tank mounting bands are attached, to corrode and possibly detach the fuel tank, which can result in a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
A wiring harness connector for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor located under the passenger's side of the instrument panel may be accessible to kicking by the front seat passenger's feet. Should the wiring insulation melt and the exposed wires make contact with each other (Short circuit), a fire may occur.
A pinch bolt exists between the bike arm bracket and the upright assembly of the "Hitch" Style bicycle rack. When moving the bike arm bracket to its down position, this pinch bolt has the potential of causing severe laceration or amputation to the user's fingertips or hand.
On certain vehicles, a coil wire inside the fuel pump relay may break, causing the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start. If the fuel pump loses power while driving, the engine could stall without warning, and a crash could occur.
On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the national highway traffic safety administration's (NHTSA) vehicle safety hotline. The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 34
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Honda Ridgeline. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Never use conventional wheel & tire assemblies on pax vehicles; MIL on after throttle body cleaning or replacement…
In certain vehicles, the driver s (Front) airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment
For any TPMS-related warranty repairs, all recorded DTCs must now be entered into the warranty claim
On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (Ast) module capable of testing alternators, installed on GR8 diagnostic battery station
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
FIRE
Neighbouring years
2007 Ridgeline: 160 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda Ridgeline year
2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Ridgeline years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Honda Ridgeline a bad year?
244 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Ridgeline years. At 115,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Honda Ridgeline?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (63), body structure (32), engine (22), transmission and drivetrain (16), electrical system (43).
How many recalls does the 2006 Honda Ridgeline have?
14 recall campaigns list this model year: Body structure (NHTSA 22V-430), Speed control (NHTSA 19E068000), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-501), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-499) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.