Head-to-head reliability
Honda FIT vs Honda Ridgeline
How the Honda FIT and Honda Ridgeline compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Honda FIT vs Honda Ridgeline: The Fit averages about 114 complaints per year and has 51 recalls, while the Ridgeline averages about 141 complaints per year with 56 recalls. Both show 0 deaths in the data, but the Ridgeline's complaints more often involve engine shutdowns. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda FIT or Honda Ridgeline more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda FIT
The Honda Fit is a subcompact hatchback that has averaged about 114 complaints per year over the past decade, with 51 recalls. The most common owner-reported trouble spots are the electrical system, air bags, and fuel/propulsion system. Many complaints describe intermittent dashboard failures and occasional power loss, which can be unsettling but are often tied to specific conditions like cold weather. Overall, it's a small car with a steady stream of electrical and fuel-related gripes rather than a single catastrophic flaw.
Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline is a mid-size pickup that has averaged about 141 complaints per year, with 56 recalls. Owners most often report electrical system, engine, and exterior lighting problems. A recurring theme is the automatic idle stop feature failing to restart the engine, which can leave a driver stranded at intersections. Other complaints involve false collision warnings and automatic high beams that flash oncoming traffic. It's a truck with modern electronics that sometimes behave unpredictably.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda FIT | Honda Ridgeline |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,136 Better | 1,414 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 51 Better | 56 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 59 | 26 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 113.6 Better | 141.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 60 | 20 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Honda FIT
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM312
- 02AIR BAGS225
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM146
- 04ENGINE140
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER130
Owners report the instrument panel going blank or showing garbled pixels, especially in cool or cold weather. The fuel gauge and odometer can also intermittently disappear or display random graphics, which means you might lose critical driving information without warning.
Complaints include air bag warning lights and recalls for occupant classification sensors and passenger-side inflators. In at least one crash, the driver's air bag did not deploy as expected, raising concerns about proper function in a collision.
Some owners describe the car juddering, losing power, and flashing engine lights at highway speeds, often accompanied by multiple warning lights. The fuel gauge can also go blank or show weird graphics in cold temperatures, making it hard to know how much fuel is left.
Reports include misfires, such as a cylinder 2 misfire caused by carbon buildup, and episodes where the engine light, steering light, and tire light all come on while driving. These symptoms can lead to reduced power and require diagnostic attention.
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Electronic instrument panel goes blank or displays random pixels during cool and cold weather. Pushing the panel display selection button may bring the display…”
“The dealership changed the oil on my 2020 Honda Fit, and the Oil Life display was reset to 100%, on 1/8/24. Two days later the LCD panel, which shows the fuel gauge, odometer, remaining range, oil life, etc. began to intermittently go blank or become garbled…”
Honda Ridgeline
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM324
- 02ENGINE290
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER190
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING146
- 05POWER TRAIN136
Owners report a cascade of safety-critical warnings and automatic power-limiting, often triggered by multiple diagnostic trouble codes. The auto idle stop system can shut off the engine at a light and then fail to restart, leaving the truck stranded.
The automatic engine stop/start feature is a frequent complaint: the engine stops when the driver expects it to stay running, or it fails to restart when the brake is released. This can happen at stop signs or intersections and has left owners unable to move.
The automatic high beam system is described as inconsistent and sometimes flashes brights at oncoming traffic, potentially blinding other drivers. Owners say the high beams turn on briefly then off, or activate when they shouldn't, such as from road sign reflections.
Complaints include false warnings from the Collision Mitigation Braking System when meeting oncoming vehicles, and instances where the auto stop engine device would not restart, leaving the truck immobile. These issues can be distracting and erode trust in the vehicle's safety aids.
“The vehicle’s engine and powertrain management system repeatedly fails with multiple DTC's triggering a full-system cascade of safety-critical warnings and automatic power-limiting. The issue affects the engine, transmission, emissions, AWD, brake system, sta…”
“I am reporting a recurring Auto Idle Stop no-restart and starting-system failure in a 2024 Honda Ridgeline. At approximately 35,072 miles, while stopped at a traffic light with Auto Idle Stop engaged, the engine shut off but failed to restart when the brake p…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Honda FIT — 51 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of…
The risk: An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 13, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is 6DW. This recall has…
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles that were previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 23V-046. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit.…
The risk: An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are TIQ and DIR. Vehicles previou…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
Honda Ridgeline — 56 recalls
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
The risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
The risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Buyer analysis
Honda FIT or Honda Ridgeline: which should you buy?
The Honda Fit has fewer complaints per year (about 114) than the Honda Ridgeline (about 141), but both have similar recall counts. In practice, the Fit's issues tend to be electrical and fuel-related annoyances, while the Ridgeline's complaints more often involve the engine shutting off or failing to restart, which can be more disruptive. Neither vehicle shows a pattern of deaths in the data, but the Ridgeline's idle-stop failures could leave you stranded.
Key differences
- The Fit averages about 114 complaints per year, while the Ridgeline averages about 141, so the Fit has fewer reported issues annually.
- Fit owners frequently report dashboard and fuel gauge failures in cold weather, whereas Ridgeline owners often report the engine shutting off and failing to restart at stops.
- The Ridgeline has more complaints about exterior lighting, including automatic high beams that flash oncoming traffic, a category not prominent in Fit complaints.
- Both have air bag-related recalls, but the Fit's sample complaints include a crash where the air bag did not deploy, while the Ridgeline's air bag recall is for occupant classification.
- Check the instrument panel and fuel gauge operation in cold weather; look for blank or garbled displays that may indicate the electrical issue owners report.
- Ask about any history of engine misfires or power loss, and scan for stored trouble codes like P0302 that could point to carbon buildup.
- Test the auto idle stop system thoroughly: let the engine shut off at a stop and confirm it restarts promptly when you release the brake.
- Check the automatic high beam function at night or in low light to see if it flashes or behaves erratically, which owners say can blind oncoming drivers.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been repaired, especially air bag and back-over prevention recalls.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any dashboard warning lights, unusual noises, or hesitation, and note if the engine stops unexpectedly.
- For the Fit, test the fuel gauge and instrument panel after the car has been sitting in cold weather if possible.
- For the Ridgeline, specifically test the auto idle stop and automatic high beam systems in conditions that trigger them.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection that includes scanning for diagnostic trouble codes and checking the electrical system.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Honda FIT | Honda Ridgeline |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 36 | 169 |
| 2019 | 136 | 236 |
| 2018 | 117 | 162 |
| 2017 | 43 | 342 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Honda FIT or Honda Ridgeline in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda FIT vs Honda Ridgeline
- Honda FIT total complaints
- 1,136
- Honda Ridgeline total complaints
- 1,414
- Honda FIT total recalls
- 51
- Honda Ridgeline total recalls
- 56
- Honda FIT avg complaints/year
- 113.6
- Honda Ridgeline avg complaints/year
- 141.4
- More reliable overall
- Honda FIT
- Honda FIT top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Ridgeline top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM