Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Ridgeline.
The 2012 Honda Ridgeline is a truck fitted with a five-speed automatic transmission, requiring 4.5 quarts of 0W-20 API engine oil and carrying EPA fuel-economy ratings of 16/21/17 mpg. With just 24 owner complaints registered against it—far below the model range’s peak of 333 complaints seen in 2017—and 12 recalls on file, this model year lands among the more stable entries in the Ridgeline’s 2003–2026 production span. That relative scarcity of grievances, even with air bags cited as the top complaint category, positions the 2012 variant as a comparatively quiet chapter in the truck’s reliability history.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
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.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Overall length | 206.7 in |
| Overall width | 76.8 in |
| Overall height | 70.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 122 in |
| Curb weight | 4504 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 66.9 / 66.9 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 58/42 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 16 / 21 / 17 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
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.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Sport 3.5L V6 | 8.00 sec | 16.30 sec | 250 hp | AWD |
| 2014 | RTL 3.5L V6 | 8.30 sec | 16.50 sec | 250 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | RTL 3.5L V6 | 7.70 sec | 16.00 sec | 250 hp | AWD |
| 2017 | RTL-E 3.5L V6 | 6.40 sec | 15.00 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2017 | Black Edition 3.5L V6 | 6.60 sec | 15.20 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2017 | RTL-E 3.5L V6 | 7.30 sec | 15.70 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2006 | RTS 3.5L V6 | 7.90 sec | 16.30 sec | 255 hp | AWD |
| 2006 | RTL 3.5L V6 | 8.10 sec | 16.40 sec | 255 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.5 qt of 0W-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.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.3-3.6 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 5.5 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.5 qt |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 54 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Main Bearings | 11MM Bolts: 54 ft-lbs, 10MM Bolts: 36 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 9 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 94 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | NGK |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.039-0.043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 16 ft-lbs |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Reference RPM | Idle rpm |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.20-1.34 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.15-4.63 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24F |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 550 cca |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0 |
| Engine Compression | 135 Minimum PSI. 28 Maximum variation PSI |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 53 ft-lbs / 16 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 101 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in |
| Minimum Shoe Thickness | 0.039 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.098 in / 0.429 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.102 in / 0.437 in |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 48 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 | 48 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2012 Honda Ridgeline sits in the mature back half of the first generation (2006–2014), and its federal record reflects a vehicle whose major teething problems had largely been resolved but whose regulatory scrutiny was quietly rising. Complaints fell to 24 — the lowest of any full production year in the generation and well below the 39 recorded in 2011 and the 45 that would follow in 2013, continuing a steep decline from the 240 complaints that plagued the 2006 launch year. However, recalls ticked up to 12, the generation's highest figure, surpassing 2011's 11 and 2013's 8, and a federal investigation appeared for the first time since 2006's four — a signal that some systemic issue was drawing regulator attention even as owner complaints subsided. The complaint mix is dominated by Air Bags (14 of 24 complaints), with one fire-related complaint also recorded, though the data does not specify root causes for either. Taken together, the 2012 model represents a low-complaint outlier in a generally stabilizing generation, but the elevated recall count and reemergence of an investigation suggest buyers should confirm all recall work was completed and pay particular attention to airbag system service history before purchase.
All 24 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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…
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…
Showing 5 of 67 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A18-048 | 2026-02-28 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag… |
| A14-077 | 2026-01-27 | Suspension | Service Bulletin - A pop or clunk is heard from the rear suspension in cold weather going… |
| A21120A | 2023-06-13 | Electrical System | Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS… |
| A22-021 | 2022-09-30 | Structure | Service Bulletin - (Repair Procedure and Parts Information Revision) In salt-belt states… |
| A20-015 | 2022-05-03 | Air Bags | Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.5 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 16 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.