2020 Honda Ridgeline Electrical Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11754865

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

2020 Honda Ridgeline-Internal failure, multi purpose camera. Multiple lights on dashboard and codes associated with driving support system, Collision Mitigation, Braking System, Lane keeping assist system, Road departure mitigation, Transmission System error. All these are showing up because of the front camera going out due to overheating. Dealership quoted $1197.20 for replacement. Multiple safety violations making vehicle unsafe to drive. Extended warranty will not cover.

NHTSA ID

11751289

Incident

Jul 17, 2026

BCM module failure. Keyless entry error. Vehicle dashboard lit up with many errors. Car alarm went on and off. Car will not start . Disconnect battery toe reset. Drove home and the car doesn’t want to stop running or idling. Disconnect battery till it turns off.

NHTSA ID

11745207

Incident

Jun 6, 2026

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).

NHTSA ID

11730561

Incident

Apr 11, 2026

While stopped at a traffic light on a state highway the idle stop did shut off the engine. When the light turned green, I released the brake, but the engine did not crank or start. After placing transmission into Park, I attempted to start normally. There was no response to the start button being pushed, other than all the typical pre-start warning lights check on the panel. Tried to start with transmission selector in Neutral..same result. All doors and hood was closed, driver in seat, belt fastened, and key nearby. I attempted to get out and push the truck to the side of road with assistance. Unable to do that because of the transmission park interconnect. After about 3 minutes trying multiple times to start the engine, it finally did start normally. The vehicle battery is pretty new and checking the voltage at home, it is fine. This is a dangerous situation. This “ Idle stop” system is senseless and a safety hazard. I have not received any notice from Honda about any recall on this system.

NHTSA ID

11691717

Incident

Oct 5, 2025

My 2020 Honda Ridgeline has an Auto Idle/Start system. The truck engine turns off when it stops, then automatically turns on when brake is released or gas pedal pressed. There was a Honda notice issued that the system may not automatically restart. A fix (software update) from Honda was implemented on my truck on 03/29/23. This "fix" did not work. On 09/05/25 at 1:25 pm I pulled up to an intersection. The Auto Idle system automatically turned off the engine as intended. About 2 minutes later, when the brake was released and gas pedal pressed, the engine did not restart. The truck stalled. Various efforts (~ 1 minute of panic) ensued to start the engine. Eventually, put the truck in park, waited, then started the engine. This situation occurred during high traffic at a busy intersection. It caused other drivers to take risks pulling out in front of other cars to get around my stalled vehicle. It was a very dangerous situation. A class action lawsuit was filed against Honda about this. Honda claims their software update fixed the problem. My scary experience shows that it did not fix the issue. Their auto idle/start system is simply unsafe. Also, it is not possible to permanently disable it.

NHTSA ID

11685560

Incident

Sep 5, 2025

In then last 6 months my Honda Ridgeline fell to restart engine at the stoplight 7 times

NHTSA ID

11667757

Incident

Jun 17, 2025

My rear camera failed again. The vehicle was recalled for rear camera failures and a supposed better cable was installed. In less than a year it failed again. So I once again are without a rear camera even though it was recalled and repaired. The repair apparently didn't work.

NHTSA ID

11667616

Incident

Jun 13, 2025

Reference Investigation: EA25004, No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages 2 separate instances 1st instance during stop and go driving on highway in heavy traffic, engine failed to restart automatically after full stop, message stating something about neutral appeared, unsure exactly what message stated. I had to shift to park and hold the brake down for a normal start. 2nd instance 2 weeks after 1st 04/04/2025 while stopped at a traffic light engine failed to Auto start - same result as above (1st incident)

NHTSA ID

11654708

Incident

Apr 4, 2025

Sunday March 23, 2025 vehicle would not restart after the auto engine idle shut off feature turned off the engine. Attempted to restart several time with no success. Vehicle finally did restart when jumped the battery. Could be a safety hazard being stuck in traffic. Have not reported to dealer but will on next scheduled service. No warning lamps indicated a problem but every lamp on the dash console lit up when attempting to restart.

NHTSA ID

11651958

Incident

Mar 23, 2025

On two occasions the vehicles auto start/stop system has shut off the truck and not restarted it after releasing of the brake.

NHTSA ID

11651911

Incident

Nov 16, 2024

Stopping behind another vehicle. My vehicle engine was off because it was in ASD((automatic shutdown mode).Vehicle ahead moves forward. Immediately the dashboard says vehicle ahead has moved. Depressing the gas pedal the vehicle will not move forward. It does not come out of ASD. Message on dash says SHIFT TO PARK. Then I have to restart my vehicle The delay of moving is a safety hazard to me and obviously an irritant to the traffic behind me at least. Perhaps more than that. This has happened more than a few tmes

NHTSA ID

11639734

Incident

Jan 29, 2025

Scheduled my vehicle for recall related to the tailgate/camera/rear area warning system harness replacement for today 10-15-2024 after two notices. Upon arriving for my appointment, I learned that the dealer, Voyles Honda Marietta, GA does not have the parts, nor can they provide a time/date when parts would be available. Further, the Service Manager, Marvin, said the same parts issue is present with a fuel pump and electric steering campaign currently released. From prior involvement with many heavy truck campaign recalls, I know the O.E.M. Is required to have adequate repair parts to satisfy the released safety recall. In the previously noted Honda recalls this requirement is ignored by the manufacturer placing safety concern on the public, stressing dealers, and forcing vehicle owners to operate defective vehicles because parts to repair are not available, nor is there an expected date when they will be. Responses like “on manufacturer back order “ is not acceptable for a released National Safety Recall. Honda Corporate needs to be held accountable and owners need to be compensated for their inconvenience. Maybe restrict Honda from selling more vehicles until ALL safety campaigns are completed. NHTSA, check your records on Honda’s completion performance and take appropriate actions.

NHTSA ID

11619824

Incident

Oct 15, 2024

I experienced multiple warning lights on my dash when disengaging my cruise control on the freeway to pass a slower vehicle in front of me. Attached photo depicts these lights and a loss of dash gauges. I arranged a vehicle inspection from the purchasing dealer the next day, but later the entire dash “blacked out” losing speedometer, tachometer, turn signals, back-up camera etc. Given the uncertainty of the safe driving condition of the vehicle I opted to have a closer authorized dealer inspect the vehicle. The consensus was that there was a failure of the dash panel resulting in a $1600.00 repair. Learning that this exact failure was known to American Honda Motor Co., Inc. I reached out to their customer service since like year(s) models of the Passport, Pilot & Odyssey were part of an official warranty recall (along with extended warranty coverage) by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. to see if any goodwill assistance would be provided, given what I’m sure are shared components between the three models. Honda declined. In all transparency, I am a retired AHM employee who services my own vehicles, so their decline, I’m told was partially based on the lack of an official service history. The failure that I have described is totally unrelated to scheduled service. In closing, I am attaching a “screenshot” for a Honda Pilot Owners blog which goes into greater detail of the exact failure I experienced, described as inappropriate software programming. Again, these items in the Recall cited FMV SS101 & FMV SS111 as being key reasons for the issuance of the recall. Why the 2020 Honda Ridgeline which experienced this exact failure was excluded is a question that Honda should answer. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11602391

Incident

Jun 25, 2024

When operating the vehicle in reverse, the dashboard screen was black/blank instead of displaying the view from the rear backup camera. The issue began to occur intermittently at ~40,000 miles and the camera was completely non-operational at 42,163k miles (10/21/2023). Upon investigating and diagnosing the root cause of failure, the dealer determined that the rear backup camera wiring harness failed. The failure point was a flexible section at the rear tailgate hinge that permits opening and closing the rear tailgate. Because the dealer's total replacement cost was too expensive (>$500), the original wiring harness was repaired by the owner. At 50,185 miles, the failure is intermittently occurring again with the repaired harness. A non-operational backup camera puts pedestrians, cyclists and others at risk when the vehicle is backing up because the driver may not be aware of their presence and could strike them or cause a collision. The local dealer diagnosed the issue and subsequently sold the owner a new replacement wiring harness that has yet to be installed. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem occurred prior to the failure.

NHTSA ID

11588379

Incident

Oct 21, 2023

Back up camera no longer works, all black when in reverse.

NHTSA ID

11587071

Incident

Apr 22, 2024

Back-up camera failed.

NHTSA ID

11583834

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

Rear camera does not work. After investigation found four or five broken wires in the wire harness that goes to the rear camera and some other stuff

NHTSA ID

11583049

Incident

Apr 15, 2024

The back-up video is not operating on this vehicle. It stopped functioning properly within the past week. In checking on this, it appears multiple other owners of this vehicle are experiencing the same issue and it generally relates to wires being pinched or cut accidently due to apparent design or equipment failure while vehicle is being operated in routine fashion. Specifically, it appears these wires are pinched and ultimately severed when tailgate is being opened/closed. This is an issue as the camera is very important manner for safely backing.

NHTSA ID

11582059

Incident

Apr 4, 2024

Rear Camera has stopped working. Black Screen. Poor rear visibility when trying to back up causing a safety issue. Same Issue as Service Bulletin 22-049 describes, except this is a 2020 not a 2019.

NHTSA ID

11581758

Incident

Apr 8, 2024

My rear back-up camera suddenly stopped working. The display screen is fine, but no signal is reaching it. No warnings or messages. Worked one minute, not the next. Looking on-line in the forum, it looks like a common failure of the wiring harness at the tailgate.

NHTSA ID

11581619

Incident

Apr 7, 2024

Backup camera wires pinched, camera stops working!

NHTSA ID

11579545

Incident

Mar 2, 2024

The backup camera suddenly went black. I saw this was a problem that led to a recall on earlier models of the Honda Ridgeline. I was fortunate in that the dealer did get it covered by the warranty department. The confirmed it was a wiring problem.

NHTSA ID

11578924

Incident

Mar 6, 2024

Back camera failed and screen goes black.

NHTSA ID

11577701

Incident

Mar 15, 2024

rear view camera and rear traffic and warning systems stopped working. Honda diagnosed and repaired the wiring harness. NHTSA has opened an investigation PE24004 which appears to identical to the issue we have.

NHTSA ID

11572317

Incident

Jan 2, 2024