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2021 Honda Passport VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

The 2021 Honda Passport has good reliability. There are 5 recalls and 119 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Honda Passport. Severity signals include 10 crash-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (21), Forward Collision Avoidance (20), Electrical System (19).

Passport reliability snapshot

68/100
Latest model-year reliability score
4.0/5
RepairPal rating (medium)
$521
Avg annual repair cost

Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.

Used-car research

Research the Honda Passport before checking the VIN

Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.

Most-reported 2021 Honda Passport issues

Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.

  • Power Train21
  • Forward Collision Avoidance20
  • Electrical System19
  • Service Brakes15
  • Engine8
  • Unknown Or Other5

Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2021 Honda Passport

Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.

  • Test Auto Idle Stop system for stalling and restart issues
  • Check forward collision avoidance system for false activations
  • Inspect brake rotors for warping and steering wheel shaking
  • Verify transmission shifts smoothly, especially between 4th and 5th gear
  • Ensure engine does not exhibit knocking sounds at low RPMs
  • Confirm all safety systems are operational, including airbags and seat belt sensors
  • Check for any outstanding recalls and verify completion

What owners reported

2021 Honda Passport owner complaints in detail

Owners have reported 10 crashes and 3 injuries to NHTSA for the 2021 Honda Passport. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.

Owner complaints21

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2021 Honda Passport often report issues with the power train, particularly involving the transmission unexpectedly shifting into neutral or failing to engage properly. Common symptoms include the vehicle decelerating or the engine revving without corresponding acceleration, especially during turns or when merging onto highways. These issues frequently occur at various mileages, with some owners experiencing problems as early as 12,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of sudden loss of power and one crash incident linked to a transmission-related failure. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring transmission issues and the potential for unexpected vehicle behavior.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints20

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners report that the 2021 Honda Passport's forward collision avoidance system frequently misfires, with symptoms including abrupt, unprovoked braking and false brake warnings. These issues often occur when vehicles are on highways, navigating curves, or encountering oncoming traffic, suggesting the system may misinterpret road conditions. Complaints span a range of mileages, with some reports starting as early as 4,300 miles. Safety implications are noted, including one crash and one injury linked to these malfunctions, highlighting potential risks of rear-end collisions or loss of vehicle control. Buyers should be aware of these documented issues, especially if considering a vehicle that has not been serviced for this specific problem.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints19

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2021 Honda Passport frequently report issues with the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system, which can cause the vehicle to stall and fail to restart after coming to a stop, particularly when releasing the brake. Symptoms include the vehicle shutting down unexpectedly, entering neutral, and requiring a complete restart, with some incidents occurring in traffic and posing safety risks. Additionally, complaints mention problems with the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) activating unnecessarily, leading to sudden braking, and issues with the infotainment system, such as freezing and crackling audio. These problems often occur at varying mileages, with some reports indicating issues as early as 3,000 miles. Two crashes are linked to these electrical failures, highlighting potential safety concerns for prospective buyers.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints16

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2021 Honda Passport frequently report issues with the automatic emergency braking system activating unexpectedly, often without any obstruction present, leading to sudden braking. Complaints also describe problems with brake pressure loss, with some instances involving brake fluid leaks, and steering wheel shaking due to warped rotors. These issues are noted at various mileages, often as early as 10,000 to 20,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of near-misses and one confirmed crash. Buyers should be aware of these potential braking system malfunctions when considering this vehicle.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints8

ENGINE

Owners report several engine-related issues with the 2021 Honda Passport, with the most common being the malfunction of the Auto Idle Stop system. Multiple complaints describe the engine failing to restart after stopping at traffic lights, often taking several minutes to restart. These incidents typically occur around 17,000 to 46,000 miles. Additionally, some owners experience engine knocking sounds at low RPMs, which is sometimes diagnosed as a crank bearing issue. One report involves a crash where the engine unexpectedly accelerated, resulting in a collision and airbag deployment. Safety implications include potential stalling in traffic and unintended acceleration, which may concern prospective buyers.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints5

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2021 Honda Passport report issues with the vehicle unexpectedly shutting off or failing to restart, particularly related to the auto-idle stop feature, with some describing a struggle to restart and dimming dashlights. Additionally, multiple complaints highlight problems with the vehicle's collision avoidance and cruise control systems, which activate unexpectedly or cause abrupt braking. Some owners also experience transmission issues where the vehicle shifts to neutral without input, accompanied by a warning message about a transmission problem. These issues typically occur at various mileage ranges and can pose safety risks, including potential crashes or loss of control.

Owner complaints3

AIR BAGS

Owners of the 2021 Honda Passport commonly report issues related to the airbag system, particularly involving the passenger seat weight sensor and seat belt alarm. Complaints frequently mention that the sensor fails to communicate with the dashboard, resulting in malfunctioning seat belt alarms. One owner describes an unresolved issue even after multiple dealership visits, which led to a crash, highlighting potential safety implications. Additionally, two owners report delays in obtaining parts for recall repairs, indicating a parts distribution disconnect. These issues are noted over extended periods, with one complaint extending into 2025, suggesting a prolonged problem for some owners.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints3

STEERING

Owners report issues with the 2021 Honda Passport's steering, primarily involving electronic system failures and steering lock. Complaints frequently mention warning lights indicating problems with safety assist systems, which are linked to a faulty microchip affecting power steering and other systems. One incident describes a crash following a steering lock after turning, highlighting a severe safety implication. These issues are noted in vehicles as young as two years old, suggesting potential reliability concerns for used car buyers.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints3

VISIBILITY

Owners of the 2021 Honda Passport report issues with the functionality of the side view mirrors, specifically the failure of the button used to collapse them. This problem is noted around 28,000 miles and persists even after attempted repairs by dealerships. Another complaint involves delays in receiving parts for a recall related to visibility, though no failures have been experienced by that owner. There are no reports of crashes, fires, or loss of control associated with these issues, but potential buyers should be aware of these recurring problems and the availability of recall parts.

Owner complaints2

SUSPENSION

Owners of the 2021 Honda Passport report issues related to vibration in the suspension system. Complaints frequently mention a persistent vibration felt through the driver's seat and steering wheel, occurring on various road types, including newly asphalted and highways. One owner describes the problem as present immediately after purchase and persisting despite multiple dealership visits and repair attempts, including wheel balancing and tire changes. The vibration is also noted to occur during braking, suggesting a potential expansion of the issue. No specific mileage range is mentioned, but the problem's persistence raises concerns about ride comfort and safety, as one owner reports feeling unsafe due to these vibrations.

2021 Passport recalls (5)

Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2021 Passport. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

  1. AIR BAGSNHTSA 24V064000Feb 1, 2024

    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.

    Consequence: 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, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. 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.

  2. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023

    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.

    Consequence: 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.

  3. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICNHTSA 23V458000Jun 29, 2023

    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.

    Consequence: 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.

  4. BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 23V431000Jun 15, 2023

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy

    Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.

  5. VISIBILITYNHTSA 23V174000Mar 16, 2023

    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."

    Consequence: 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.

Used-market value

2021 Honda Passport resale snapshot

97.2%estimated value retained after 1 years
21listings in the model-level benchmark

Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.

2021 Honda Passport on the road

53,133 2021 Honda Passport units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.

How the 2021 Honda Passport stacks up against rivals

The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.

Reliability verdict for the 2021 Honda Passport

With an 81/100 reliability score versus a 74/100 segment average, the 2021 Honda Passport rates above average. That gap suggests a generally solid ownership outlook, with fewer reliability concerns than typical for the segment. As year three of this generation, the data points to a model that’s performing consistently rather than showing a late-cycle drop.

Complaint activity is not confined to a single system. The leading categories span powertrain, forward collision avoidance, electrical, and service brakes, indicating a broad spread across core mechanical systems and driver-assist electronics rather than one dominant weak point. Recall activity is elevated, which increases the amount of manufacturer-corrected risk to track in the model’s record.

Overall risk level: moderate-to-low, with above-average reliability but elevated recall exposure.

What you get in a 2021 Honda Passport report

Available title brand history
Odometer readings & rollback detection
Accident & damage records
Auction sales with photos
Open safety recalls
Theft & stolen vehicle check

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2021 Honda Passport — Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Honda Passport reliable?

With an 81/100 reliability score versus a 74/100 segment average, the 2021 Honda Passport rates above average. That gap suggests a generally solid ownership outlook, with fewer reliability concerns than typical for the segment. As year three of this generation, the data points to a model that’s performing consistently rather than showing a late-cycle drop.

How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Passport have?

5 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2021 Honda Passport. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

What are the most common 2021 Honda Passport problems?

The most-reported 2021 Honda Passport problem areas are: Power Train (21), Forward Collision Avoidance (20), Electrical System (19).

Should I run a VIN check on a 2021 Honda Passport?

Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2021 Honda Passport, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.