2021 Honda Ridgeline
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

- Class
- Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
- Body styles
- 4dr Pickup
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 280 hp
- Transmission
- 9-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 18 city / 24 hwy
- Length
- 209.8 in
- Curb weight
- 4,442 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 7 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 21 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2021 standard pickup truck (18.2 MPG).
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline is a standard pickup truck offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 210 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 125-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,442 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 24 highway), 15% better than the 2021 standard pickup truck average of 18.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Ridgeline — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Ridgeline →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2021 Ridgeline configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Pickup | 209.8 in | 78.7 in | 70.9 in | 125.2 in | 66.1 / 66.5 in | 4,442 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgeline AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S9) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 21 | +15% | $3,200 | 441 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Honda RIDGELINE PU/CC AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.9% |
| 2021 Honda RIDGELINE PU/CC FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |

Similar 2021 standard pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Honda Ridgeline (this car) | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2021 Ford F-150 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 29 |
| 2021 Toyota Tacoma | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2021 Ford Ranger | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2021 Nissan Frontier | 20 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2021 Jeep Gladiator | 24 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
Recalls (7)
Structure › Frame And Members · Jun 4, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V365000 · 965,561 vehicles
- Problem
- American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
- Risk
- Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · May 21, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V332000 · 98,892 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- Risk
- Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- 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, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · May 9, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V321000 · 187,290 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Feb 1, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V064000 · 750,114 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- Risk
- An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- 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 are XHP and VHQ.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder · Jun 29, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V458000 · 124,077 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
- Risk
- Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior · Mar 16, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V174000 · 339,404 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor · Nov 18, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V900000 · 4,346 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- 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.
Not every 2021 Honda Ridgeline is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Honda Ridgeline buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 29 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 15 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Exterior Lighting — 14 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 22,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Ridgeline years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ridgeline | 21 | 210.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 11 |
| 2025 Ridgeline | 21 | 210.2 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 102 |
| 2024 Ridgeline | 21 | 210.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 72 |
| 2023 Ridgeline | 21 | 210.2 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 131 |
| 2022 Ridgeline | 21 | 210.2 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 118 |
| 2020 Ridgeline | 22 | 209.8 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 170 |
| 2019 Ridgeline | 22 | 209.8 in | ★★★★★ | 11 | 238 |
| 2018 Ridgeline | 22 | 209.8 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 162 |
| 2017 Ridgeline | 22 | 209.8 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 347 |
| 2014 Ridgeline | 17 | 206.7 in | Not rated | 6 | 31 |
| 2013 Ridgeline | 17 | 206.7 in | Not rated | 7 | 45 |
| 2012 Ridgeline | 17 | 206.7 in | Not rated | 11 | 24 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Honda. How we calculate this →