HondaRidgeline2009Overview/honda/ridgeline/2009/base/

2009 Honda Ridgeline

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Ridgeline.

Body TRUCKTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2009 Honda Ridgeline is a truck equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission and an engine that takes 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil, returning EPA-estimated 15/20/17 mpg. With 35 total owner complaints and nine recalls, its most reported issue area is air bags. Across the model's tracked history from 2003 to 2026, the 2009 year sits well below the peak of 333 complaints seen in 2017 and above the low of two in 2015, placing it in the lower-complaint tier of the lineup.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820172009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque94 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/20/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-65R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length206.7 in
Overall width76.8 in
Overall height70.5 in
Wheelbase122 in
Curb weight4504 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 20 / 17 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Ridgeline of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.70 sec — 2009 RTL
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009RTL 3.5L V67.70 sec16.00 sec250 hpAWD
2006RTS 3.5L V67.90 sec16.30 sec255 hpAWD
2006RTL 3.5L V68.10 sec16.40 sec255 hpAWD
2006RTL 3.5L V68.50 sec16.50 sec255 hpAWD
2006RTL 3.5L V68.60 sec16.50 sec255 hpAWD
2006RTL 3.5L V69.30 sec17.20 sec255 hpAWD
2012Sport 3.5L V68.00 sec16.30 sec250 hpAWD
2014RTL 3.5L V68.30 sec16.50 sec250 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.3-3.6
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Main Bearings11MM Bolts: 54 ft-lbs, 10MM Bolts: 36 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts94 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub242 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque16 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.21-1.32 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.22-4.63 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)57.0
Engine Compression135 Minimum PSI. 28 Maximum variation PSI
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ idle, 71 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.008-0.009 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.011-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket53 ft-lbs / 16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle101 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.098 in / 0.429 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.437 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
147 ft. lbs, step 2: 6047 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The first generation of the Honda Ridgeline experienced a significant spike in complaints, recalls, and TSBs between 2006 and 2008, peaking in 2006 with 240 complaints and 110 TSBs. The 2009 model year marks a sharp decline in this trend, recording only 35 complaints and 0 investigations, a substantial improvement over the 140 complaints reported in 2008. This stability persists through 2014, contrasting sharply with the resurgence of complaints seen in the 2017 model year. For 2009, the primary area of concern was air bags with 21 complaints, though the data does not specify the root cause of these reports. While recalls remained consistent with neighboring years at 9, TSBs remained stable at 54. Given the significant drop in complaints relative to the mid-generation peak, 2009 is a good year to buy.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
54
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
35
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 35 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags21
Tires3
Structure2
Steering2
Suspension,Structure,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Unknown Or Other,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Power Train,Electrical System1
Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V182000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 06/03/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may…

19E068000Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator PedalReported 10/10/2019

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda… Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 54 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A18-0502026-06-30Air BagsService Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's…
A18-0482026-02-28Air BagsService Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag…
A14-0772026-01-27SuspensionService Bulletin - A pop or clunk is heard from the rear suspension in cold weather going…
A21120A2023-06-13Electrical SystemService News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS…
A22-0212022-09-30StructureService Bulletin - (Repair Procedure and Parts Information Revision) In salt-belt states…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Ridgeline. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Ridgeline take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Ridgeline have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Ridgeline get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg.