2020 Honda Ridgeline problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 169 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Honda Ridgeline, most often about electrical system. There are 8 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
169
Recalls
8
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Median mileage
18,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 49 of 169 complaints (29%).
  • Engine (38) and driver assistance & safety tech (31) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 18,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury.
  • The 2020 Honda Ridgeline has 8 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 3rd of 20 Honda Ridgeline model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 22% fewer complaints than the 2019 model year (218).

2020 Honda Ridgeline problems by category

  • 49 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    42 complaints
  • 38 complaints
  • 31 complaints
  • Lighting
    12 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    10 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    10 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    9 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    8 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    5 complaints
  • Brakes
    5 complaints
  • Suspension
    2 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system49
Unknown or other42
Engine38
Exterior lighting12
Air bags10
Back over prevention10
Power train9
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking9

When problems happen (mileage)

10Under 10k310k–30k630k–60k460k–100k2100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2020 Honda Ridgeline complaints that list mileage.

2020 Honda Ridgeline recalls (8)

  • Recall 26V365000Jun 4, 2026880,514 vehicles
    STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · SUSPENSION:REAR

    American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

    Risk: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.

  • Recall 26V332000May 21, 202698,892 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

    Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

  • Recall 24V321000May 9, 2024187,290 vehicles
    BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

    Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.

    Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.

  • Recall 24V064000Feb 1, 2024750,114 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

    Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

  • Recall 23V858000Dec 18, 20232,490,460 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

  • Recall 23V458000Jun 29, 2023124,077 vehicles
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.

    Risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

  • Recall 23V174000Mar 16, 2023339,404 vehicles
    VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.

  • Recall 21V932000Nov 29, 2021724,826 vehicles
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.

    Risk: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • EA25004Opened Mar 26, 2025Open

    No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages

    On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to r…

  • PE24004Opened Feb 13, 2024Closed Aug 5, 2024led to recall 24V321

    Rear-View Camera Failure

    On February 13, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24004 to assess alleged failures of the rear-view camera (RVC) in 2020-2023 Model Year (MY) Honda Ridgeline vehicles. At this time, ODI has received a total of 50 complaints with allegations of the RVC image failing to display when the vehicle was in reverse. The RVC wire harness is routed near the hinge in the tailgate, in a location where frequent opening and closing of the tailgate causes bending stress on the harness. Honda determined the wire harness was manufactured with a material which is pe…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2020 Honda RIDGELINE PU/CC AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
2020 Honda RIDGELINE PU/CC FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Recent 2020 Honda Ridgeline complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 16, 2026MAElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
    Engine idle stop function failed to restart automatically while i was stopped at a stop light. I was at a complete stop at a four way intersection with vehicles behind me and my vehicle did not restart after light turned green and i released brake and stepped on accelerator. error message flashed stating to press brake and push start button. Vehicles behine me honked for me to proceed but i could not move. i turned on my hazards and attempted to restart engine. i stepped on…
    NHTSA complaint #11764707 · source
  2. Filed Aug 27, 202680,000 miNYTowedEngine
    The contact owns a 2020 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal knocking sound was heard, and smoke emerged from under the hood. No warning lights illuminated, and the engine failed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but was not inspected. The vehicle was then towed to another dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed engine. The dealer informed the contact that a piston went through the engine and advised that the…
    NHTSA complaint #11759933 · source
  3. Filed Aug 16, 2026PABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    When driving normally, oncominng traffic is triggering the frontal collision warning system. Is some cases long enough to start the emergency braking procedure if I do not engage the brakes manually preventing the automatic emergency braking. This usually happens on curves in the road in typically right hand curves. This is happening on 2 lane roads at between 45 and 55 mph. Initiating and emergency braking at this speed could send my car into the oncoming traffic. I am…
    NHTSA complaint #11757268 · source
  4. Filed Aug 4, 2026CAElectrical SystemEngine
    The vehicle's Auto-Idle Stop (AIS) feature is defective and creates a severe safety hazard. While stopped at a busy road intersection, the feature engaged and shut the engine off normally. However, when releasing the brake pedal to proceed, the engine glitched and completely failed to restart, leaving the vehicle completely stalled, unpowered, and stranded in live traffic. The vehicle became a sitting duck in the intersection. This is a recurring issue that requires a…
    NHTSA complaint #11754865 · source
  5. Filed Aug 4, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The vehicle's front-facing monocular camera experienced an internal component failure that triggered a permanent error code U3000-49. This hardware failure instantly disabled multiple core safety features simultaneously, including the Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation, and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) ABS Braking and High Beam Support with all dash lights remaining on. The sudden, unexpected loss of automatic safety…
    NHTSA complaint #11754863 · source
  6. Filed Jul 23, 2026118,000 miPAEngine
    The contact owns a 2020 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, there was a misfire coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and, upon inspection, the contact determined that one of the ignition coils had failed. The contact purchased a new ignition coil, replaced the part, and resumed driving; however, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound while driving. The vehicle…
    NHTSA complaint #11752401 · source
  7. Filed Jul 18, 2026AZDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
    2020 Honda Ridgeline-Internal failure, multi purpose camera. Multiple lights on dashboard and codes associated with driving support system, Collision Mitigation, Braking System, Lane keeping assist system, Road departure mitigation, Transmission System error. All these are showing up because of the front camera going out due to overheating. Dealership quoted $1197.20 for replacement. Multiple safety violations making vehicle unsafe to drive. Extended warranty will not cover.
    NHTSA complaint #11751289 · source
  8. Filed Jun 19, 2026NJElectrical SystemLighting
    BCM module failure. Keyless entry error. Vehicle dashboard lit up with many errors. Car alarm went on and off. Car will not start . Disconnect battery toe reset. Drove home and the car doesn’t want to stop running or idling. Disconnect battery till it turns off.
    NHTSA complaint #11745207 · source

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Other 2020 Honda models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology