NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Honda Ridgeline Safety Ratings
The 2020 Honda Ridgeline scores 83 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 8 recalls, and 162 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Honda Ridgeline earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 83/100, placing it in the Strong band. Backed by a five-star NHTSA overall crash rating and solid crash-protection scoring, it represents a meaningful safety step up from its predecessor, though eight active recall campaigns require attention.
The 2020 Honda Ridgeline received a five-star overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 83/100, based on NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 105 Sedans from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline ranks 69 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 83 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 16.9% |
| Recalls on file | 8 |
| Owner complaints | 162 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 69 of 105 Sedans tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Honda Ridgeline?
The 2020 Honda Ridgeline marks a notable jump in the NHTSA Safety Index, rising eight points from the 2019 model year's 75/100 Average band to 83/100 in the Strong band. That improvement is anchored by a crash-protection subscore of 66 out of a possible 70 points, reflecting the vehicle's five-star NHTSA ratings across overall, frontal, and side categories. The rollover subscore is the one area where the vehicle does not achieve a top mark, posting four stars and a 17 percent risk figure. The avoidance-tech subscore of 6/10 reflects that both forward collision warning and lane departure warning are optional rather than standard equipment on this model year, with only electronic stability control included as standard. The defect-record component scores 11.25 out of 20, a figure shaped by eight recall campaigns that have accumulated across this model year. Two of those campaigns address occupant classification sensor issues in the front passenger air bag system, a safety-critical area. The rearview camera wire harness recall is specific to 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles, making it directly relevant to this year. Shoppers evaluating a used example should weigh the strong crash-test foundation against the volume of open recall activity.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Honda Ridgeline perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Honda Ridgeline achieved a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, matching this top score in both frontal and side crash protection. Its rollover resistance registered at four out of five stars, with a 17 percent risk of rollover. Dynamic tip testing for the Ridgeline resulted in a No Tip designation.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15029
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Honda Ridgeline have any recalls?
Eight recall campaigns cover this model year. Documented issues span structural frame members, two separate front-passenger occupant classification sensor campaigns, a rearview camera tailgate wire harness that may fatigue over time, and a gasoline fuel pump defect. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the supplied campaign data, but owners should verify remedy status by VIN.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS26V365000
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.
Remedy: 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
Reported 2026-06-04
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER26V332000
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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) involve
Reported 2026-05-21
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA24V321000
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2024-05-09
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER24V064000
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2024-02-01
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP23V858000
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2023-12-18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER23V458000
Risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2023-06-29
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR23V174000
Risk: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2023-03-16
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD21V932000
Risk: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2021-11-29
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Honda Ridgeline?
Owners have filed 162 unverified complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently alleged problem areas are the electrical system (46 reports), unknown or other issues (41), and the engine (34). Back-over prevention, exterior lighting, and forward collision avoidance each account for 12 to 14 additional alleged incidents.
162 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Honda Ridgeline?
The 2020 Honda Ridgeline has eight recall campaigns on record. Prospective owners should ensure all recall remedy work has been completed at an authorized dealer, particularly for issues involving the air bag sensor and rearview camera.
- The 2020 Ridgeline's Safety Index of 83/100 represents an eight-point gain over the 2019 model year's 75/100, the largest single-year improvement visible in the immediate prior-year comparison.
- Two distinct NHTSA recall campaigns specifically target the front-passenger occupant classification sensor on this model year, a component directly tied to air bag deployment behavior in a crash.
- The rearview camera tailgate wire harness recall applies specifically to 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles, meaning every 2020 example on the used market is potentially within the affected population.
- Forward collision warning and lane departure warning are listed as optional equipment for this model year, so individual used units may or may not be equipped with those crash-avoidance features. Buyers should confirm fitment on any specific vehicle.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Honda Ridgeline places
The 2020 Honda Ridgeline qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Honda Ridgeline safety questions
Was the 2020 Honda Ridgeline crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Honda Ridgeline, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 83 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 Honda Ridgeline crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Honda Ridgeline earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 16.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Honda Ridgeline have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 8 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Honda Ridgeline. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Honda Ridgeline?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 162 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Honda Ridgeline. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Ridgeline years
Rivals in Sedan (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Acura RLX | 99/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Acura RLX Sport | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2020 Audi S5 Sportback | 99/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Infiniti Q50 | 99/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Mazda Mazda3 | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2020 Nissan Maxima | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15029), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Honda Ridgeline 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 69 of 105 in the Sedan class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.