MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index
NHTSA crash test of the 2023 Honda Ridgeline

NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED

2023 Honda Ridgeline

Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.

5Recalls
121Complaints
2Investigations
ABOUT THE HONDA RIDGELINE

The Honda Ridgeline is a unibody pickup truck aimed at buyers who want everyday practicality without the rough edges of a traditional body-on-frame hauler. Positioned squarely in the midsize truck segment, it targets commuters, families, and light-duty adventurers who value a car-like ride alongside genuine truck utility. From model years 2019 through 2025, it carries Honda's reputation for thoughtful engineering into a competitive and growing class.

VERDICT

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 88 out of 100, an strong result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. Both frontal and side crash protection reached the full 5 stars. It has 5 recalls on record, reflected in the score.

WHO IT IS FOR
  • new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
  • urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY

Reviewers generally praise the Ridgeline for its refined, car-like driving character and clever storage solutions, including its in-bed trunk. Most see it as the right choice for buyers who want truck versatility without sacrificing daily comfort. Critics sometimes note it feels less capable than body-on-frame rivals for serious towing or off-road use, positioning it as a lifestyle truck rather than a workhorse.

NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk 16.9%

Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 17230

Index breakdown

Crash protection66/70
Avoidance tech10/10
Defect record12/20
Forward collision warning: StandardLane departure warning: StandardStability control: Standard

NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images

Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.

NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS26V365000

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.

Remedy: 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. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 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 thi

Reported 2026-06-04

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER26V332000

Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 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

Reported 2026-05-21

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA24V321000

Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported 2024-05-09

STEERING:RACK AND PINION24V184000

Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gearbox as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is LHY.

Reported 2024-03-07

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER23V458000

Risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported 2023-06-29

NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints

121 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.

2reported crash
2reported fire
0reported injuries
0reported deaths
Most-reported systemsExterior Lighting 39Unknown Or Other 18Engine 17Electrical System 16Forward Collision Avoidance 11Power Train 10

Other Ridgeline years

Rivals in Sedan (2023)

Last verified 2026-07-03. Sources: NHTSA SafetyRatings (VehicleId 17230), recallsByVehicle, complaintsByVehicle for Honda Ridgeline 2023. Class rank 56 of 92 in Sedan 2023. Methodology · Disclosure