Honda Ridgeline extended warranty: cost, coverage and plans
Why an extended warranty could make sense
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Honda Ridgelines are known to have average reliability, so extended warranty options could offer extra protection against unexpected repairs as the vehicle ages.
We’ll break down what a Honda Ridgeline warranty covers, how much it costs, what your options are and whether a warranty is worth it in the long run.
All new Honda Ridgelines come with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty from the factory.
Jump to insightQuotes we received for an extended auto warranty on a 2021 Ridgeline ranged from $1,028.16 to $936.07 a year. That’s less expensive than the average cost of an extended warranty.
Jump to insightHonda has average reliability compared with other vehicles.
Jump to insightGetting an extended warranty on a Ridgeline gives you peace of mind and protection against repair bills once the factory warranty expires.
Jump to insightHonda Ridgeline extended warranty coverage
An extended auto warranty is an optional, paid extension of the factory warranty your Ridgeline comes with. For context, Honda Ridgelines come with the following warranties from the factory:
- A three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty
- A five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty
Factory warranties follow the vehicle, not the owner. So if you buy a 2-year-old truck with 20,000 miles on it, you still have one year or 16,000 miles worth of factory bumper-to-bumper warranty remaining.
For an extended warranty on your Honda Ridgeline, you have two options:
- Buy the official Honda extended warranty, called Honda Care.
- Buy a plan from a third-party extended warranty company, which allows you to take your truck to any ASE-certified mechanic for repairs.
A ConsumerAffairs investigation found that only 41% of American drivers surveyed had enough cash to cover a $1,000 repair bill, and 13% of respondents had no way to handle a repair bill that large, even with credit.
In either case, you’ll generally get the most value by purchasing whichever plan offers comprehensive, exclusionary protection (often called bumper-to-bumper or Platinum). These plans cover 90% or more of the parts on your vehicle. Less comprehensive Gold, Silver and powertrain plans may be cheaper, but they tend to cover fewer parts per dollar.
Auto warranties don't cover damage or accidents, and repairs generally aren't covered if you don't properly maintain the vehicle or you make aftermarket modifications. They only pay for repairs and replacements of specifically covered parts that fail from normal wear and tear.
In general, here are the differences between what a bumper-to-bumper warranty and a powertrain warranty cover:
| Warranty type | Typical coverage | Not covered |
|---|---|---|
| Bumper-to-bumper | ||
| Powertrain | Parts that create power and deliver it to the wheels | Parts not related to the engine, transmission or drive axle |
Note that some extended auto warranty plans fall somewhere between bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage.
» LEARN: What to know about manufacturers’ extended warranties
How much does a Honda Ridgeline extended warranty cost?
We were quoted $936.07 a year from olive for three years of bumper-to-bumper coverage for a 2021 Honda Ridgeline registered in Austin, Texas, with 40,000 miles. From Endurance, the quote for similar coverage was $1,028.16 annually for 30 months of coverage for the same vehicle with the same mileage. Both quotes assumed a $100 deductible. Note that both of these are third-party extended auto warranty companies.
The “official” Honda extended warranty is called Honda Care, and it may cost less than a third-party option. Be sure to get a quote from your local Honda dealer to compare your options.
In general, quotes for extended auto warranties vary based on coverage, vehicle, deductible, location and other factors. A 2022 Ridgeline with zero miles typically has cheaper extended warranty options than a 2020 model with 50,000 miles, for example.
Compare quotes from multiple providers to be sure that you're getting a good deal on an extended warranty.
For context, the average cost of an extended warranty is around $1,000 per year of coverage. The quotes we collected for our hypothetical 2021 Honda Ridgeline were less expensive by comparison.
Our quotes were for a base model vehicle, but a more expensive trim can raise the price of your plan. For a lower price, you can opt for a powertrain plan or one that covers less than a bumper-to-bumper warranty. Just be aware that coverage limits can lead to a frustrating situation in which you're left paying out of pocket for repairs.
Keep in mind that some extended auto warranties start from the original owner's purchase date of the vehicle. So if the factory warranty lasts for four years and 50,000 miles, a six-year/100,000-mile plan may only provide two additional years or 50,000 additional miles of coverage.
Is a Honda Ridgeline extended warranty worth it?
Yes, a Honda Ridgeline extended warranty is worth it. In general, an extended auto warranty is worth it if any of the following are true:
- Your vehicle has a bad reputation for reliability.
- The warranty costs less than you expect to spend on repairs.
- A big repair bill could hurt you financially.
- You don’t mind paying for peace of mind.
Honda as a brand has average reliability, with J.D. Power ranking Honda 19th out of 29 car brands for overall dependability. As for the Ridgeline specifically, RepairPal gave it a 3.5 out of 5.
Many Ridgeline owners will tell you they’re some of the most reliable little trucks on the market. That being said, 4-cylinder and V6 engine failures in some model years mean that a powertrain warranty could be worthwhile, while a bumper-to-bumper warranty may be overkill.
Honda maintenance is generally pretty cheap, but the Ridgeline’s middling reliability means that an extended warranty could still be a good idea. Considering that the cost of a plan is well below average, it might be worth the peace of mind.
Article Sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- J.D. Power, “Vehicle Dependability Slumps as Rate of Deterioration Increases, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed Aug. 14, 2024.
- RepairPal, “Honda Ridgeline Reliability Rating.” Accessed Aug. 14, 2024.
