HondaRidgeline2018Overview/honda/ridgeline/2018/base/

2018 Honda Ridgeline

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Ridgeline.

Body TRUCKTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2018 Honda Ridgeline is a truck powered by a 6-speed automatic transmission that achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 18/25/21 mpg, with engine oil capacity specified at 5.7 quarts using 0W-20 API viscosity. This model year carries 8 recalls on record, with total owner complaints reaching 157, the Electrical System cited as the primary concern among drivers. Across the Ridgeline's complaint history spanning 2003 to 2026, this places 2018 below the peak of 333 complaints logged in 2017 yet above the model's lowest point of just 2 complaints recorded in 2015, suggesting moderate but not minimal reliability concerns relative to the nameplate's overall trajectory.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820172014

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque94 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/25/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 620 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 48 · 620 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length209.8 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height70.9 in
Wheelbase125.2 in
Curb weight4442 lb
Track (front / rear)66.1 / 66.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 25 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainAll-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.

6.0–8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.00 sec — 2024 TrailSport (5'4" Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017RTL-E 3.5L V66.40 sec15.00 sec280 hpAWD
2017Black Edition 3.5L V66.60 sec15.20 sec280 hpAWD
2017RTL-E 3.5L V67.30 sec15.70 sec280 hpAWD
2019RTL-E (5'4" Bed) 3.5L V66.60 sec15.20 sec280 hpAWD
2019RTL (5'4" Bed) 3.5L V66.90 sec15.40 sec280 hpAWD
2019Black Edition (5'4" Bed) 3.5L V67.20 sec15.60 sec280 hpAWD
2021Sport HPD (5'4" Bed) 3.5L V66.20 sec15.00 sec280 hpAWD
2021Sport HPD (5'4" Bed) 3.5L V66.30 sec14.80 sec280 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.7 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.8 qt
Engine CoolantUse Honda Type 2 Antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity7.5
Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.7 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)3.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)68.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)33.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)16.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55.0 ft-lbs;
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts24 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts94 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerHonda
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque16 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.40 lbs
Oil TypeRL85HM
Oil Capacity4.00-5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance620 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)57.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum60.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum67.0
Engine Compression135

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 53; Rear: 25
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 101; Rear: 65
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.024; Rear: .354
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor Runout.0016
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake Drum: 8.307

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
290.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6048 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
111MM Bolts30 ft. lbs
211MM Bolts47 degrees
336.0

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 2018 Ridgeline represents the second model year of the second generation, following a 2017 launch year that recorded 333 complaints and 163 TSBs. The 2018 figures show meaningful improvement at 157 complaints, 8 recalls, 5 investigations, and 113 TSBs, though 2019 rebounded to 230 complaints and 12 recalls, indicating the generation had not yet stabilized. The leading complaint categories for 2018 were Electrical System (34), Back Over Prevention (22), Engine (18), and Fuel/Propulsion System (17), with three crash complaints and one fire complaint reported; the data does not specify root causes for these issues. Compared to the first generation's 2006-2014 arc — which peaked at 240 complaints in its debut year before settling into the 24-45 range — the second generation's trajectory remains more volatile through 2019. The 2018 model sits at a local low point between two higher-complaint years, suggesting Honda addressed some launch issues but new ones emerged. For a used buyer, 2018 is a reasonable choice within this generation, but verify Electrical System and Back Over Prevention recalls have been completed and budget for potential fuel or engine concerns.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
113
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
157
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 157 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System34
Back Over Prevention22
Engine18
Fuel/Propulsion System17
Fuel System, Gasoline10
Unknown Or Other9
Power Train6
Structure4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V053000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 24/01/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ridgeline trucks. Exposure to acids, such as from car wash soaps, can result in the fuel pump feed port cracking. Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, if necessary, and install a fuel pump cover, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact…

18V221000SeatsReported 05/04/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 113 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ATI&032620269052026-03-26Electrical SystemDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2019…
ATI&031120269022026-03-11Electrical SystemDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2019…
ATI&022420269022026-02-24Electrical SystemDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2019…
ATI&012020269012026-01-20Visibility/WiperDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2019…
ATI&010520269012026-01-05Electrical SystemDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2019…

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 2018 Ridgeline take?

5.7 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Ridgeline have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Ridgeline get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg.