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2020 Honda Ridgeline

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Honda Ridgeline
Pictured: 2022 Honda Ridgeline Touring in Sonic Gray Pearl, front left, 2024-05-11. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
4dr Pickup
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Horsepower
280 hp
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
22 combined · 19 city / 26 hwy
Length
209.8 in
Curb weight
4,442 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
8 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline is a small pickup truck offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 210 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 125-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,442 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 26 highway), 2% better than the 2020 small pickup truck average of 21.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 8 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 170 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2020

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 Ridgeline — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Ridgeline →

Trims, performance & features

Engine280 hp3.5L 6-cyl
Transmission6-speed automatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

RTL-ERTLBLACK EDITIONSPORT

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Rear cross-traffic alertStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard

Built in: Lincoln, Alabama

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 Ridgeline configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Pickup209.8 in78.7 in70.9 in125.2 in66.1 / 66.5 in4,442 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Ridgeline FWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S9)Front-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22+2%$3,050407
Ridgeline AWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S9)All-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 21+13%$3,200433
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.6 MPG2020 Small Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2020 Honda RIDGELINE PU/CC AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★16.9%
2020 Honda RIDGELINE PU/CC FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★16.4%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2020 Honda RIDGELINE PU/CC AWD
Frontal crash test — 2020 Honda RIDGELINE PU/CC AWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2020 Honda RIDGELINE PU/CC AWD
Side crash test — 2020 Honda RIDGELINE PU/CC AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2020 small pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 Honda Ridgeline (this car)22 MPG★★★★★8
2020 Ford F-15024 MPGNot rated11
2020 Toyota Tacoma21 MPG★★★★★1
2020 Ford Ranger23 MPG★★★★★7
2020 Nissan Frontier20 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (8)

Structure › Frame And Members · Jun 4, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V365000 · 965,561 vehicles

Problem
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Risk
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.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · May 21, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V332000 · 98,892 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Fix
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · May 9, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V321000 · 187,290 vehicles

Problem
Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Feb 1, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V064000 · 750,114 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Risk
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Dec 18, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2,490,460 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder · Jun 29, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V458000 · 124,077 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. 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.
Risk
Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior · Mar 16, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V174000 · 339,404 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch · Nov 29, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V932000 · 724,826 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
Risk
A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Honda Ridgeline is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

170Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
18,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System49
Unknown Or Other42
Engine38
Exterior Lighting12
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking10
Back Over Prevention10
Air Bags10
Power Train9
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/10: 324/11: 424/12: 225/01: 325/02: 425/03: 325/04: 225/05: 225/06: 425/07: 425/08: 525/09: 425/10: 425/11: 225/12: 126/01: 126/02: 226/04: 126/05: 126/06: 226/07: 226/08: 426/09: 126/10: 124/1025/0125/0425/0725/1026/0126/0526/08max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Honda Ridgeline buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 49 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Engine — 38 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Exterior Lighting — 12 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 18,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Honda Ridgeline. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Ridgeline years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Ridgeline21210.2 inNot rated011
2025 Ridgeline21210.2 in★★★★★2102
2024 Ridgeline21210.2 in★★★★★172
2023 Ridgeline21210.2 in★★★★★5131
2022 Ridgeline21210.2 in★★★★★3118
2021 Ridgeline21209.8 in★★★★★7102
2019 Ridgeline22209.8 in★★★★★11238
2018 Ridgeline22209.8 in★★★★★7162
2017 Ridgeline22209.8 in★★★★★8347
2014 Ridgeline17206.7 inNot rated631
2013 Ridgeline17206.7 inNot rated745
2012 Ridgeline17206.7 inNot rated1124

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Honda. How we calculate this →