- What you'll get from Honda Ridgeline VIN check?
- Honda Ridgeline Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Honda Ridgeline VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Honda Ridgeline
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Honda Ridgeline VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Honda Ridgeline VIN.
- 10th Character in the Honda Ridgeline VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Honda Ridgeline VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Honda Ridgeline Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Honda Ridgeline
- How to find a Honda Ridgeline's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Honda Ridgeline
What you’ll get from Honda Ridgeline VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as the year 2021, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the vehicle type as a Truck, and details like it being a Pickup offer insight into the vehicle’s functionality and design.
- Engine Type: The VIN may reveal the engine’s configuration as V-Shaped, along with specific displacement measures and the fact that it’s Gasoline-powered, offering valuable details about the vehicle’s performance characteristics.
- Safety Features: The dataset may highlight a range of standard safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assistance, and Forward Collision Warning, indicating the vehicle’s focus on passenger safety.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency: Noting that the primary fuel type is Gasoline can give potential buyers or owners an idea of the vehicle’s environmental impact and operating cost.
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Standard features like Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and a Backup Camera point towards a vehicle equipped with modern technology to support the driver.
- Transmission and Drive Type: The presence of a 9-speed Automatic transmission and a 4-Wheel Drive system suggests the vehicle’s capability in various driving conditions and its performance level.
Honda Ridgeline Vehicle History Risk Factors
Honda has one of the strongest reliability reputations in the used car market, but that reputation can mask specific model-year problems that show up disproportionately in vehicle history reports. A Bumper VIN check on a used Honda is particularly valuable for catching three recurring patterns.
Transmission issues on 2015–2017 CR-Vs and 2016–2017 HR-Vs. Honda’s CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) in these years generated an elevated number of NHTSA complaints and TSBs related to shuddering, hesitation, and premature failure. Look specifically for service records that reference transmission flushes or replacements — a clean-looking CR-V can have a transmission already on borrowed time.
Airbag recall compliance. Honda vehicles were among the most affected by the Takata airbag inflator recall — one of the largest automotive recalls in U.S. history. While most inflators have been replaced, a Bumper report will show you exactly which recalls are open on the specific VIN you’re checking, and whether the prior owner ever had the work done.
Flood and water damage on Civics and Accords. Honda sedans, particularly Civics from 2012–2015, appear frequently in flood damage reports from hurricane-affected regions. Water intrusion causes long-term electrical issues that don’t always show up immediately. If a VIN shows a registration history in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, or New Jersey, a flood damage check is worth running.
Odometer rollback on high-demand models. Honda Accords and CR-Vs rank consistently among the most stolen and most resold used vehicles in the U.S., which also makes them disproportionately common in odometer fraud cases. Verify reported mileage against service record intervals.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Honda Ridgeline VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Honda Ridgeline VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of vehicles worldwide. For the Honda Ridgeline, the WMI codes 2HJ and 5FP indicate trucks manufactured by Honda in two different locations. The 2HJ vehicles were produced by Honda of Canada Mfg., Inc. in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, covering the model years from 2006 to 2009. Meanwhile, the 5FP vehicles are associated with the American Honda Motor Co., Inc., located in Torrance, California, United States, covering model years from 2009 to 2014 and then from 2017 to 2024. These codes not only establish the geographic origin of the vehicle but also help in identifying specific vehicle types, such as trucks in this instance.
List of WMI Codes for a Honda Ridgeline
WMI: 2HJ
- Model Years Covered: 2006-2009
- Example VIN: 2HJYK16506H500438
- Manufacturer Name: Honda of Canada Mfg., Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Alliston
- State or Province: Ontario
- Country: Canada
WMI: 5FP
- Model Years Covered: 2009-2014, 2017-2024
- Example VIN: 5FPYK16209B100228
- Manufacturer Name: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Torrance
- State or Province: California
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Honda Ridgeline VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Honda’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes trim level, engine type, body style, and restraint system in a way that’s relatively consistent across model years but uses alphanumeric combinations that aren’t intuitive without a reference. For the CR-V, for example, codes beginning with “RE” indicate the third-generation platform, while “RM” and “RW” codes correspond to later generations with different powertrain configurations. The engine character within the VDS will distinguish between Honda’s 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder, the 2.0L naturally aspirated, and hybrid variants — all of which affect insurance costs, parts availability, and maintenance schedules differently. If you’re comparing two Honda VINs that appear identical by year and trim, the VDS characters are where meaningful differences often hide.
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Honda Ridgeline VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Honda Ridgeline VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 Honda Ridgeline |
| P | 2023 Honda Ridgeline |
| N | 2022 Honda Ridgeline |
| M | 2021 Honda Ridgeline |
| L | 2020 Honda Ridgeline |
| K | 2019 Honda Ridgeline |
| J | 2018 Honda Ridgeline |
| H | 2017 Honda Ridgeline |
| E | 2014 Honda Ridgeline |
| D | 2013 Honda Ridgeline |
| C | 2012 Honda Ridgeline |
| B | 2011 Honda Ridgeline |
| A | 2010 Honda Ridgeline |
| 9 | 2009 Honda Ridgeline |
| 8 | 2008 Honda Ridgeline |
| 7 | 2007 Honda Ridgeline |
| 6 | 2006 Honda Ridgeline |
11th Character in the Honda Ridgeline VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Honda Ridgeline Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Lincoln | Alabama | United States | 5FPYK16209B100228 | |
| C | Sayama | Saitama | Japan | 5FPYK3F56HC027199 | |
| E | Greensburg | Indiana | United States | 2HJYK16238E430556 | |
| H | Alliston | Ontario | Canada | 2HJYK16506H500438 | |
| T | Takanezawa | Tochigi | Japan | 5FPYK3F88LT711903 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Honda Ridgeline
The final 6 characters in a Honda Ridgeline’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Honda Ridgeline’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Honda Ridgeline is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look for the VIN on the driver’s side dashboard of your Honda Ridgeline, visible through the windshield on a small, engraved plate.
- The driver’s side door jamb on your Honda Ridgeline is another typical spot. The VIN can often be found where the door latches, on a label or sticker.
- Examine the engine block of your Honda Ridgeline; the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
- Check the rear wheel well; sometimes, the VIN is placed above the tire for added security.
- Review your Honda Ridgeline’s insurance card or insurance policy documents; the VIN will be listed along with other important vehicle information.
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Don’t have your Honda Ridgeline’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Honda Ridgeline
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Base Price ($) | 39470.00 |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Pickup |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Cab Type | Extra/Super/Quad/Double/King/Extended |
| Cooling Type | Water |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 3500.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 213.58310433156 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.5 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 280 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Honda |
| Engine Model | J35Y6 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Engine Stroke Cycles | 4 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Lane Centering Assistance | Standard |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Standard |
| Model | Ridgeline |
| Model Year | 2021 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Engine Info | Direct Fuel Injection |
| Other Restraint System Info | Front: Seat Belt / Side Curtain Air Bag & Rear: Seat Belt and Side Curtain Air Bag (Outer positions) / Seat Belt (Center position) |
| Plant City | Lincoln |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Alabama |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Standard |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 9 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | RTL |
| Valve Train Design | Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 5FPYK3F5*MB |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 125.20 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 18 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 18 |
| Sample VIN | 5FPYK3F50MB000130 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Honda Ridgeline for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Honda Ridgeline?
On most Honda vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Honda Ridgeline's history for free?
Enter the Honda Ridgeline’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Honda Ridgeline VIN numbers start with?
Honda Ridgeline VIN's start with 2HJ for vehicles manufactured by Honda of Canada Mfg., Inc. in Canada, 5FP for vehicles manufactured by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Honda Ridgeline.
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