2020 Honda RIDGELINE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
168 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
18,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 48 of 168 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 35 | 20.8% |
| Braking behavior | 27 | 16.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 9.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 48 |
| Unknown Or Other | 41 |
| Engine | 37 |
| Exterior Lighting | 12 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Back Over Prevention | 10 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 9 |
| Power Train | 9 |
Electrical System: 48; Unknown Or Other: 41; Engine: 37; Exterior Lighting: 12; Air Bags: 10; Back Over Prevention: 10; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 9; Power Train: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 143 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 16 |
| 2023 | 34 |
| 2024 | 53 |
| 2025 | 38 |
| 2026 | 13 |
2020: 4; 2021: 10; 2022: 16; 2023: 34; 2024: 53; 2025: 38; 2026: 13
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 35 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 16 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11340406 · 2020-07-20 (July 20, 2020)
2020 HONDA VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE ZF 9 SPEED TRANSMISSION ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO PLACE IN NEUTRAL, IF THE BATTERY IS DEAD. HONDA SELLS A TOOL (HONDA 07AAA-TZ3A100 LOCK RELEASE) FOR $225.00. USING THIS TOOL IS THE ONLY WAY TO PLACE THESE VEHICLES IN NEUTRAL, IF THE BATTERY IS DEAD. HONDA SHOULD BE INCLUDING THIS TOOL FREE OF CHARGE IN EVERY 2020 VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE ZF 9 SPEED TRANSMISSION.
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11340406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11377272 · 2020-12-01 (December 1, 2020)
HONDA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE ZF-9 SPEED TRANSMISSION CANNOT BE PLACED INTO "NEUTRAL" IF THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY IS FLAT. A SPECIAL HONDA TOOL THAT IS NOT INCLUDED WITH EACH VEHICLE, IS THE ONLY WAY TO PLACE THE ZF 9 SPEED TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL, TO ALLOW FOR TOWING, OR PHYSICALLY MOVING THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC, IF THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY FAILS. HONDA SHOULD INCLUDE THIS TOOL #07AAA-TZ3A100 LOCK RELEASE, WITH EVERY HONDA EQUIPPED WITH THE ZF 9 SPEED TRANSMISSION.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11377272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11394480 · 2021-02-03 (February 3, 2021)
THE BRAKES ARE SOFT IF YOU HIT THE BRAKES OUT OF THE "CLEAR BLUE". IF YOU RECENTLY PRESSED THEM WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF SECONDS, THE PEDAL HAS A MUCH FIRMER AND GRABBIER PERCEPTION. THE BRAKES FUNCTION NICELY, BUT THE VARIANCE IN BRAKE FEEL COULD BE DETRIMENTAL WHERE FRACTIONS OF A SECOND MATTER. THE VEHICLE DOES IT ALL THE TIME REGARDLESS OF TERRAIN OR TEMPERATURE.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11394480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453830 · 2022-02-24 (February 24, 2022)
Like other Honda models being investigated, this 2020 Ridgeline also applies the automatic braking system with on vehicle directly ahead (nearest vehicle is 2 lanes over). The date below is today, but events were in the past
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453830 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11488854 · 2022-10-11 (October 11, 2022)
Several times over the past two months, I started having issues with the auto engine idle stop. I'm at about 25,000 miles and my vehicle has completely stalled out 4 times in two months. This is due to a failure of the auto engine idle stop system to restart the engine after I take my foot off the brake pedal. This has put my safety and others at risk in all of these incidents, all happened in busy, high traffic areas. In one instance it took a full minute to be able to turn my car back on. One time it triggered the collision system, and I coul…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11488854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11488999 · 2022-10-12 (October 12, 2022)
Engine fails to restart after Idle Stop engaged. Engine stops normally when brake pedal is pressed and vehicle comes to full stop. Brake pedal is then released to restart engine but the engine does not start. Dashboard says "Shift to Park". The transmission is shifted to Park and then Start button is pushed to restart engine. Sometimes the Start button has to be pushed multiple times to restart engine. This is a safety issue because the vehicle cannot move in traffic, crossing an intersection, etc. It is equivalent to an engine stall. Th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11488999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11444210 · 2021-12-17 (December 17, 2021)
Strong engine oil odor after driving and then parking vehicle. Also checked engine oil, has a very strong gasoline smell to engine oil. Dealer claims unable to replicate, however I pointed out the smell to them once I arrived. Dealer mentioned that the smell was normal. They took the vehicle in anyway and claim again that the smell is normal. There are no warning lights or anything to indicate a problem. Smell first noticed around 5600 miles. Vehicle now at 16000 miles and still getting the same result with odor and fuel smell in the oil.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11444210 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11503743 · 2023-01-26 (January 26, 2023)
The plastic fuel line coming from the gas tank cracked and there is no way to replace a small hose and Honda make me purchase a brand new tank for a repair of $2000 that should have been covered under warranty. The line failed at 25,000 miles
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11503743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11619824 · 2024-10-15 (October 15, 2024)
Scheduled my vehicle for recall related to the tailgate/camera/rear area warning system harness replacement for today 10-15-2024 after two notices. Upon arriving for my appointment, I learned that the dealer, Voyles Honda Marietta, GA does not have the parts, nor can they provide a time/date when parts would be available. Further, the Service Manager, Marvin, said the same parts issue is present with a fuel pump and electric steering campaign currently released. From prior involvement with many heavy truck campaign recalls, I know the O.E.M. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11619824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11680951 · 2025-08-15 (August 15, 2025)
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, a large sheep ran out of a yard and crashed into her vehicle with its head and horns on the driver's side front end near the bumper. The contact stated that the impact moved the vehicle to the right side of the road. The contact stated that she was lifted out of the seat and forward by the impact. The contact hit her head on the roof of the vehicle. The contact stated that her abdomen and left knee hit the steering wheel, and her right knee h…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11680951 at NHTSA ↗