2020 Honda Ridgeline: engine knocking or ticking

5 of the 172 complaints about the 2020 Honda Ridgeline describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 17 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

2025
1
2024
2
2023
6
2022
2
2021
6
2020
5
2019
20
2018
15
2017
54
2007
1
2006
2

What owners say

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Dec 5, 2025 · Engine · PA

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.

Filed Oct 31, 2025 · Engine · OH

The rod bearings had failed on cylinders 3,5, and 6 at 140 thousand miles with proper mantice being done to it. This has been confirmed by the dealer Honda Maryslviie in Maryslive, Ohio. The vehicle has just been looked at by the dealer. No warning lamps but just started to hear knocking in the engine.

Filed Oct 31, 2025 · Engine · 140,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked or while driving, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that three rod bearings and that cylinders #3, #5, and #6 had failed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Dec 16, 2024 · Engine · CA

I have had an engine knocking noise at startup but now is continuous/constant. Diagnosed at my local Honda dealer as a connecting rod failure of my well maintained 2020 Honda Ridgeline. Recommended repair, short block replacement or engine replacement with a used engine. My 2020 Honda Ridgeline is not part of the safety recall for the connecting rod bearing recall and should be. I have read numerous stories of owners with Honda Ridgelines and Pilots that are outside the recall years with this failure.