2020 Honda RIDGELINE: complaints, problems and recalls

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 ↗

THE REAR WINDOW SWITCH DOES NOT FUNCTION ON DEMAND WHEN ACTIVATING TO OPEN THE BACK WINDOW IN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. IT DOES FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECTED AND NOT AT THE WILL OF THE OPERATOR.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11343643 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THE AUTO DIMMING HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHT SYSTEM OFTEN FAILS TO DIM THE HIGH BEAMS WHEN AN ONCOMING VEHICLE IS APPROACHING - OFTEN CAUSING THE ONCOMING DRIVER TO "FLASH" HIS HIGH BEAMS IN ANGER. THE SYSTEM WILL ALSO DIM THE HIGH BEAMS WHEN IT SHOULDN'T.- WHEN THERE'S NO VEHICLE AHEAD OF YOU AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. I FIND OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM HERE... HTTPS://WWW.RIDGELINEOWNERSCLUB.COM/THREADS/AUTO-HIGH-BEAM-COOL-MAYBE-NOT.215738

Owner-reported narrative. 1,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 11374100 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

ON TWO OCCASIONS, I WAS DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS IN A COLD CLIMATE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. I DECELERATED ONTO AN OFF RAMP. UPON ACCELERATION, I RECEIVED A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND REDUCED POWER. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP HOME AT DECREASED SPEEDS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL CODES P0304 - CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE, P0305 - CYLINDER 5 MISFIRE, C342D - MANUFACTURER CONTROL. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SEE ANY CODES OR REPRODUCE THE ISSUE.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11394325 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

THE AUTO HIGH BEAM FEATURE DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. TURNS ON AND OFF AT IT'S OWN REFLECTION FROM ROADSIDE SINGS OF ALL SHAPE AND SIZES. FLASHES OTHER VEHICLES WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON LOW BEAM. HAVE COMPLAINED TO HONDA AND WAS TOLD IF I DID NOT LIKE IT TOO DEACTIVATE THE FEATURE.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406889 at NHTSA ↗

THE AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM FUNCTION IS ERRATIC AND HAS SWITCHED TO HIGH WHEN ON-COMING TRAFFIC IS APPROACHING. IT ALSO SWITCHES TO LOW WHEN THERE'S NO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS DURING HIGHWAY TRAVEL.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11407144 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2021-11-29 (November 29, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2023-03-16 (March 16, 2023)

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."

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2023-06-29 (June 29, 2023)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2023-12-18 (December 18, 2023)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2024-02-01 (February 1, 2024)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2024-05-09 (May 9, 2024)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2026-05-21 (May 21, 2026)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2026-06-04 (June 4, 2026)

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.

Consequence: 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.