Most Honda Ridgeline VINs open with 5FP (the United States, 2009–2026) or 2HJ (Canada, 2006–2009). Position 11, the plant, shows 4 codes, most often B (76%); a 2026 Ridgeline carries T in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 42 recall campaigns and 2,095 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Honda Ridgeline VIN
Here is a real 2026 Honda Ridgeline VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 5FPYK3F16TB014206 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Honda Ridgeline VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
The Honda Ridgeline VINs on record carry 2 different prefixes. The main one is 5FP (the United States, 2009–2026), then 2HJ (Canada, 2006–2009):
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2HJ | 2006–2009 | Canada | Truck | |
| 5FP | 2009–2026 | United States | Truck |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Honda Ridgeline it is not one number either — assembly moved between 4 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 2009–2026 | 1,597 | |
| H | 2006–2009 | 482 | |
| 5 | 2006–2008 | 6 | |
| 0 | 2009–2017 | 4 |
Counted from 2,087 dated Honda Ridgeline VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Honda Ridgeline
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Honda Ridgeline has not yet outlived: its 21 years still map one-to-one. All 21 model years of the Honda Ridgeline, 2006 to 2026, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | T | — |
| 2025 | S | — |
| 2024 | R | — |
| 2023 | P | — |
| 2022 | N | — |
| 2021 | M | — |
| 2020 | L | — |
| 2019 | K | — |
| 2018 | J | — |
| 2017 | H | — |
| 2016 | G | — |
| 2015 | F | — |
| 2014 | E | — |
| 2013 | D | — |
| 2012 | C | — |
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Honda Ridgeline VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 205 VINs the Honda Ridgeline uses 8 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | Y (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | K (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | 5 (32%) · 8 (21%) · 7 (20%) · 6 (14%) · 1 (7%) · 4 (4%) | 6 distinct |
What a decoded Honda Ridgeline VIN gets you
Behind a Honda Ridgeline VIN: 2,095 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 42 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 2,095 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 19 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Crash-test ratings | 10 rated model years | NHTSA |
| Model years covered | 21 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Honda Ridgeline
A Honda Ridgeline VIN normally opens with 5FP; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Honda Ridgeline VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 42 recall campaigns and 2,095 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Honda Ridgeline.
Why does my Ridgeline VIN start differently from another Ridgeline?
Because the Honda Ridgeline was built under several maker codes, by plant and period. Across the Honda Ridgeline VINs on record we see 2 of them: 2HJ (2006–2009), 5FP (2009–2026). Each is genuine for its years.
What year is my Ridgeline by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2026 Ridgeline carries T, a 2025 Ridgeline carries S, a 2024 Ridgeline carries R.
Where was my Ridgeline built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 2,095 dated Honda Ridgeline VINs it reads B 76%, H 23%, 5 0%, 0 0%.
What does position 4 mean on a Honda Ridgeline VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 205 Honda Ridgeline VINs here, Y is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Honda Ridgeline check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with 5FP or 2HJ. A plate that starts with anything else, or disagrees with the other copies of the number, needs documents checked before any money changes hands.
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