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.
2020 Honda Ridgeline engine problems
39 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 116,000.
- owner complaints
- 39
- of this car's complaints
- 23%
- typical mileage
- 116,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Honda Ridgeline engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Honda Ridgeline engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
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 restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.the federal safety agency has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
EA25004
What 2020 Honda Ridgeline owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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 engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The dealer offered to replace the engine with a salvaged engine and cover the repair under warranty; however, the contact declined the repair and requested a new engine, which was denied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
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 complete ignition power cycle to recover, posing an immediate risk of a rear-end or side-impact collision. It happens most often under heavy load. Hot day with AC on, or Cold day with Heater on and seat warmers. Dealer ignored or failed to re-create at first because it was intermittent. I've been through SOFTWARE UPDATE, STARTER, RELAY REPLACEMENT AND VALVE ADJUSTMENTS (twice) and a new BATTERY over several years and it still stalls. It's dangerous and terrifying to be immobilized in traffic when it won't start.
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 was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed due to a loosened connecting rod and needed to be replaced. The contact ordered a new engine. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
While stopped in heavy traffic at a traffic signal, the engine stopped and would not restart. This was due to the AIS system. The car became disabled in heavy traffic. I was only a few feet from the entrance to a gas station, however due to the interlock system that locks the transmission in Park, the truck could not be pushed out of traffic. Honda, unlike other manufacturers the use the same transmission, does NOT supply an emergency over ride to get the transmission out of park ( hazard). After a few minutes of sitting in heavy traffic and nearly. wing hit by fast moving cars, the engine did restart. This is not the first time this has happened. The dealership is over 100 miles drive to have to checked (r/t).
Connecting rod/bearing failure.
After parking on the roadside with engine off for about 10 minutes, the truck would not start. I tried to start twice; the dash lights came on, I could hear the starter try to engage, felt a slight forward lurch from the vehicle, then nothing. The starter seemed to disengage' the dash lights stayed on, and the electric system went into ACC mode. I tried twice with same result. I attempted to put the shift selector in neutral, but it stayed in Park. I was seated in truck, seat belt on, foot pressing on brake pedal. After waiting a few minutes, it cranked and started normally. No further issues the rest of the day. The weather was mild, sunny, temperatures in the mid-60’s fahrenheit.
Stranded in traffic unable to start almost got rearend because the start-stop died and to cycle to park to get it started. This has happen on more than one time.
Spun Rod Bearing at 70,000 miles. Truck will need a new Short Block. Truck has been at the dealer for all recommended service and oil changes.
Questions about the 2020 Honda Ridgeline engine
Does the 2020 Honda Ridgeline have engine problems?
Owners have filed 39 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Honda Ridgeline, 23% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2020 Honda Ridgeline engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 116,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Honda Ridgeline engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Honda Ridgeline have bad engine?
The Honda Ridgeline model years with the most engine complaints are 2017 (99 complaints), 2019 (44 complaints) and 2020 (39 complaints).
Other 2020 Honda Ridgeline problems
Electrical 50Driver assistance 32Lights 12Airbags 11Visibility 10Transmission 9Fuel system 8Body 5Brakes 5Suspension 3Acceleration 1Locks 1Seat belts 1Wheels 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2020 Honda Ridgeline?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history