HondaRidgeline2011Overview/honda/ridgeline/2011/base/

2011 Honda Ridgeline

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Ridgeline.

Body TRUCKTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2011 Honda Ridgeline is a truck built on a unibody platform, powered by an engine requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil and paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 15/20/17 mpg (city/highway/combined). In the context of the Ridgeline's broader complaint history spanning 2003 to 2026, the 2011 model year represents a relatively stable point in the vehicle's reliability trajectory, with 39 total owner complaints recorded alongside 11 recalls—a complaint count that falls well below the model's peak of 333 complaints in 2017, though not as low as the record low of just 2 complaints logged in 2015. The 2011 Ridgeline's standing within this range, combined with its Air Bags-related issues accounting for the top complaint category, positions this model year as a middle-ground example within the vehicle's lifecycle rather than one of its problem-prone iterations.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820172011

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
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
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.

6.2–9.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 2021 Sport HPD (5'4" Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012Sport 3.5L V68.00 sec16.30 sec250 hpAWD
2009RTL 3.5L V67.70 sec16.00 sec250 hpAWD
2014RTL 3.5L V68.30 sec16.50 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

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 Capacity1.20-1.34 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.15-4.63 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 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 2011 Ridgeline sits in the mature, low-complaint phase of the first generation (2006–2014), where annual complaints stabilized between 24 and 45 after a sharp drop from the 2006 peak of 240. Its 39 complaints, zero investigations, 11 recalls, and 60 TSBs align closely with the 2009–2010 figures and precede a slight uptick in TSBs through 2013. Air bag complaints dominate the 2011 profile at 27 of 39 entries, though the data does not specify a root cause; crash complaints total two with no fire reports. Compared to the second generation (2017 onward), where complaints routinely exceed 95 and investigations appear annually, the first generation's later years show markedly better federal metrics. Recalls remained steady at 7–12 per year across the first generation, so the 2011 count is unremarkable in that context. This is a good year to buy within the first generation, offering low complaint volume and no open investigations, though buyers should verify completion of the 11 recalls and note the air bag complaint concentration.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
60
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
39
Owner complaints
2 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 39 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags27
Structure3
Unknown Or Other3
Structure,Unknown Or Other1
Suspension1
Visibility1
Electrical System,Structure1
Tires1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V662000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/09/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles nationwide. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2012 Acura RL, 2011 Honda Element and 2011-2013 Ridgeline vehicles in Arizona… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer…

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 60 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 2011 Ridgeline take?

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

Does the 2011 Ridgeline have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 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.