8.8

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,764 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2020 Honda Ridgeline drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2020 Honda Ridgeline Owner Comments

problem #5

Nov 052021

Ridgeline

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On numerous occasions (at least 5 times) the following occurred: Upon exiting the highway after approximately 90+ minutes of driving, the truck's check engine light starts flashing and the vehicle goes into "limp mode" and will barely accelerate to avoid oncoming traffic from behind. The vehicle must be stopped and turned off to clear the engine light and return to normal performance. The on-board computer does not store any diagnostic codes when this occurs. There are numerous documented incidents exactly like this one on the Honda Ridgeline Owners forum. I have taken my truck to the dealer three times with no resolution. The dealer consults with Honda Tech support, who is unsure how to solve this issue. Assorted repairs have been documented on the aforementioned Honda forum, to no avail. This is definitely a safety issue when the truck loses power in traffic. I have almost been hit from behind while the vehicle is in limp mode. The initial occurence happened in November 2021 and most recently again April 16, 2022. Essentially for a year and a half Honda has done nothing to fix this problem.

- Menomonee Falls, WI, USA

problem #4

Dec 222021

Ridgeline 6-cyl

  • 11,721 miles
The contact's son owns a 2020 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while her son was reversing, the vehicle shifted to neutral independently. The warning message "Stop. Driving when Safe. Transmission Problem, See Manual." Was illuminated. The contact's son shifted to reverse and continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred twice the next day while reversing. The contact's son turned off and parked the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 11,721. Consumer traded in this truck on 2/14/2022 and traded up to a 2022 Ridgeline. Consumer had the truck for a week and it did the same thing.

- Allegany, NY, USA

problem #3

Oct 302021

Ridgeline

  • miles
Driving up a grade my small dog move forward onto forward part of console and steped on gearshift buttons and vehicle shifted in to neutral. Engine rev. Up to 5000 RPM. Had to remove dog from gear shift panel slow down engine and vehicle back in gear and excelerate away from large truck approaching the rear of my vehicle. Vary scary, why does Honda put a push button transmission controls on a console between the seats.

- Orangevale, CA, USA

problem #2

Sep 032020

Ridgeline

  • 1,500 miles
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.

- Timonium, MD, USA

problem #1

Jul 132020

Ridgeline

  • 600 miles
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. 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.

- Timonium, MD, USA

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