2020 Honda Ridgeline Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 5%of 170 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Honda Ridgeline, 5% of the 170 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 $225.00. 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11340406, filed 2020-07, 600 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11377272, filed 2020-12, 1,500 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11438991, filed 2021-11“My cars auto engine idle is malfunctioning causing my car to have serious transmission issues. I currently have 3 warning signs on my dashboard. 1. All wheel drive system problem 2. Auto engine idle stop system problem 3. charging system problem. I bought the car used last year. Its a 2020 honda ridgeline with only 29k mikes. Ive been seeing reports online that this issus has been affecting many honda users. Please help!! Honda needs to be responsible for this problem! RECALL NOW!”
NHTSA complaint #11569117, filed 2024-01“On May 31, 2023, my wife and I were in our Honda ridgeline when attempting to back up into a parking spot. We noticed the instrument cluster went dark with only a P flashing. There were no alarms or indications of any fault. We shut down the truck. After trying to restart there was no instrument cluster along with the shifter locked in park. On this current model their is no emergency override out of park as on other vehicles. We had traffic backed up for hours as we called a tow truck to move the vehicle from the main street. Upon the ridgeline being towed to the local Honda dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11529664, filed 2023-06Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 5 | 7% |
| 2023 | 12 | 9% |
| 2022 | 11 | 9% |
| 2021 | 11 | 11% |
| 2020 | 9 | 5% |
| 2019 | 36 | 15% |
| 2018 | 10 | 6% |
| 2017 | 42 | 12% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 5 | 4% |
| 2007 | 12 | 8% |
| 2006 | 16 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2020 Honda Ridgeline
49 complaintsOther or unknown
42 complaintsEngine
38 complaintsForward collision avoidance
15 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
14 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsLane departure
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Honda Ridgeline
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology