Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Honda Ridgeline problems

Owners filed 171 complaints about the 2020 Honda Ridgeline with NHTSA between Jul 2020 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (50).

Complaints
171
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system50
  2. Engine39
  3. Forward collision avoidance15
  4. Back over prevention14
  5. Exterior lighting12
  6. Lane departure10
  7. Air bags10
  8. Power train9
  9. Visibility/wiper8
  10. Fuel/propulsion system7
  11. Service brakes4
  12. Structure4
  13. Suspension2
  14. Visibility2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20204
202110
202216
202334
202453
202538
202616

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

50 reports
“The contact owns a 2020 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while stopped at a red traffic light, the vehicle suddenly shut off and failed to restart. Other motorists began honking their horns as traffic approached. A nearby pedestrian was able to assist the contact in restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. The contact believed that the failure was associated with the STOP/START system. The vehicle became disabled in traffic. The local Honda dealer was contacted and advised that there was a diagnostic test was needed and scheduled an appointment. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11775427

Engine

39 reports
“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 brake and pushed start button. Vehicle did not start, i repeated stepping on brake and start button again and did not start. I did it a third time and vehcile started. A police car behind me pulled up and asked if i was ok just as i started my vehicle and pulled away. This is the second time this has happended but i did not report it and thought it was me not stepping on the brake hard enough. the first time was about six months ago in a similiar situation at a four way traffic light.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11764707

Forward collision avoidance

15 reports
“Basically the warning lights and warning tone are showing and sounding off repeatedly when driving. My mechanic advised me that he has seen this issue on other Honda models and there is rumor of a recall. It has to do with the camera located in a housing with the rear view mirror. It is believed the heat here in [XXX] affects the solder abd causes all the safety systems to think there is a problem. The systems do still work, however you get constant dash board warning lights and warning tones. It is not an item that is caused by the owner neglecting maintenance and is estimated at between $1000 to $2000 to have it replaced. Honda should do a recall. It is a safety concern because it is a distraction to the driver and it affects all the safety features. This site only let me identify 3 but it is basically all of them.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2026Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11773371

Back over prevention

14 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2020 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that the rearview camera was intermittently inoperable while reversing. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the rearview camera became operable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V321000 (Back Over Prevention), and 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V321000 (Back Over Prevention); unless the rearview camera image was blank and inoperable while reversing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 27, 2024Air bags, Back over preventionODI 11627675

Exterior lighting

12 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11745207

Lane departure

10 reports
“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 braking and driver-assist features while moving poses an immediate highway safety risk.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2026Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11754863
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.