Is the 2020 Honda Ridgeline a bad year?
171 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Ridgeline years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2020 Honda Ridgeline are in line with other Ridgeline years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2020 Ridgeline owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 39 (23%) | 50k–101k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 50 (29%) | too few with a mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Collision avoidance | 15 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 14 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 12 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 171 complaints: 1 mentions a crash · 1 reports an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
19 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2020 Honda Ridgeline: 9
The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure. 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.
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash. Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended. An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving. A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
If the tonneau cover is not properly secured in the open or closed position, wind resistance may cause the cover to flip and buckle. If this occurs, the hinges between the center and rear panel may deform, possibly allowing the rear panel to separate from the vehicle. A separated panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash or injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 64
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2020 Honda Ridgeline. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart
MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power
Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks
The engine will not crank on initial startup after precipitation and sub-freezing temperatures
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Rear-View Camera Failure
Neighbouring years
2019 Ridgeline: 239 complaints, keep it · 2021 Ridgeline: 103 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda Ridgeline year
2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Ridgeline years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2020 Honda Ridgeline a bad year?
171 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Ridgeline years. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Honda Ridgeline?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (39), electrical system (50), collision avoidance (15), backup camera (14), exterior lighting (12).
How many recalls does the 2020 Honda Ridgeline have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 26V-365), Air bags (NHTSA 26V-332), Backup camera (NHTSA 24V-321), Air bags (NHTSA 24V-064) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.