Hidden Honda Detail Surprises Owners with High Repair Costs
Sometimes the smallest components reveal the most important stories about modern car ownership. Beneath all the technology, safety systems, and modern design, it’s often the hidden details that determine how expensive a vehicle is to operate.
One of the most striking examples is the situation recently faced by an owner of a Honda Ridgeline pickup. If you own this vehicle, there’s one part you really don’t want to damage: the rear bed floor. If it gets damaged and an insurance claim is denied, you could be facing a shockingly high bill for replacement.
Cost of the Bed Floor
Honda’s official parts catalog lists the price of the rear bed floor for 2017–2025 Ridgeline models at over $10,000, and that’s just the cost of the part itself, excluding installation labor.
For comparison, a new pickup model starts at around $40,000, meaning a single sheet of metal represents approximately a quarter of the vehicle’s total cost. This is even more striking when you consider that some high-mileage 2017 models sell for as little as $12,000. If the rear bed floor is damaged on such vehicles, the insurance company would likely just write off the vehicle rather than approve such an expensive repair.
Searching for Alternative Solutions
The author of a Reddit post didn’t specify how exactly the bed floor of their pickup was damaged, but mentioned they were able to find one at a junkyard for $500 plus $400 for delivery. Some Honda parts suppliers offer a new bed floor for around $6,500, but even that amount seems excessive for such a part.
High Parts Prices “Kill” Cars
One user suggested that the bed floor might be so expensive because it’s supplied by an emergency manufacturer that has the ability to set any price. Others believe that replacing the floor might not have been necessary, as the damage wasn’t structural and unlikely to affect the vehicle’s safety or performance.
$10,000 Honda… part list price.
byu/HamZam_I_Am inJustrolledintotheshop
The rapid increase in parts prices is becoming a serious problem. It contributes to more and more vehicles being declared “total losses” after accidents. According to a recent study, 27% of vehicles involved in accidents are now completely written off, compared to 19% in 2018.
The rising cost of repairs and components doesn’t only affect those involved in accidents. It also leads to higher insurance premiums for everyone, adding another layer of cost to car ownership today.
This situation with the Honda Ridgeline highlights a broader trend in the automotive industry, where design complexity and high spare parts costs make repairs impractical for many vehicles, especially older models. Drivers should consider such risks when purchasing and operating vehicles, especially if they plan to keep them long-term without insurance coverage.