HondaRidgeline2006Overview/honda/ridgeline/2006/base/

2006 Honda Ridgeline

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Ridgeline.

Body TRUCKTransmission Automatic 5-spd

Defined as a truck, the 2006 Honda Ridgeline pairs a 5-speed automatic transmission with EPA fuel economy ratings of 15/20/17 mpg and requires 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. In the context of the model's history spanning 2003 to 2026, this year generated 240 total owner complaints with air bags listed as the top complaint area alongside 14 recalls. While this volume is substantially lower than the 333 complaints recorded in 2017, it exceeds the model's lowest point of 2 complaints in 2015, placing the 2006 model firmly between the extremes of the vehicle's reliability history.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820172006

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 · 550 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 · 550 CCAOEM · 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.

7.9–9.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 2006 RTS
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
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
2009RTL 3.5L V67.70 sec16.00 sec250 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
Transfer Case FluidGL-4 · GL-5 · 80W-90
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity0.9 Pints

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
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)730 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK, DENSO
Spark Plug Gap.039
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.27-1.38 lbs
Oil TypePAG 46
Oil Capacity6.00-6.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
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 2006 Honda Ridgeline marks a pronounced spike in federal activity within its generation, with 240 complaints, 14 recalls, and 4 investigations—figures dramatically higher than the near-zero levels seen in 2003–2005 and significantly above the declining trend that follows through 2015. This surge reflects early production challenges, particularly in air bags (50 complaints) and electrical systems (35 complaints), alongside elevated crash (21) and fire (15) reports, though the data does not specify root causes. Subsequent years show a sharp drop in complaints and recalls, stabilizing at lower levels by 2009, suggesting Honda addressed many first-year issues through corrective actions. The 2006 model sits at the peak of this reliability arc, implying higher risk of unresolved defects compared to later years. While the Ridgeline’s overall durability remains strong, buyers should prioritize a meticulously maintained example with documented recall repairs. **Given the data, 2006 is a riskier year to buy—opt for a 2009 or newer model if possible.**

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
110
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
240
Owner complaints
21 involved a crash · 15 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 240 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags50
Electrical System35
Structure22
Visibility14
Engine & Engine Cooling11
Unknown Or Other9
Power Train8
Fuel/Propulsion System6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 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 110 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A18-0502026-06-30Air BagsService Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's…
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…
A20-0152022-05-03Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…

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 2006 Ridgeline take?

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

Does the 2006 Ridgeline have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 14 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.