Common problems
Honda Passport Common Problems
We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 8 Honda Passport model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.
Data updated April 2026
- Owner complaints
- 548
- Top recurring issue
- Power Train
- Crash reports
- 23
- Fire reports
- 0
8 model years
7 affected years
Owner-reported severity signal
19 injuries · 0 deaths
Pattern overview
Most reported Honda Passport problem categories
Power Train
61complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 7 model years; highest in 2019.
Electrical System
123complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 6 model years; highest in 2019.
Unknown Or Other
64complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 6 model years; highest in 2019.
Service Brakes
28complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2021.
Forward Collision Avoidance
64complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2021.
Engine
35complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2019.
Fuel System, Gasoline
24complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2019.
Vehicle Speed Control
5complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2022.
Steering
3complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2024.
Fuel Propulsion System
4complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2020.
What owners reported
Issue summaries by Honda Passport model year
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Honda Passport frequently report issues with the electrical system, specifically involving the instrument panel going blank and the infotainment system losing connection or going black. Numerous complaints highlight problems with the Auto Start/Stop function, where the engine fails to restart after stopping at traffic lights or intersections, sometimes requiring a jump start. These issues often appear around 50,000 to 90,000 miles and can pose safety risks, such as being stalled in traffic or losing essential vehicle functions. Additionally, some owners experience persistent battery drain and malfunctions in safety features like forward collision warnings, which may lead to unexpected vehicle behavior. These patterns suggest potential electrical reliability concerns for prospective used car buyers.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2019 Honda Passport frequently report issues with the auto engine idle stop feature, which often results in the vehicle stalling and failing to restart at stoplights or intersections. Common symptoms include the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly, requiring the driver to manually restart the engine by shifting to park and pressing the start button, sometimes multiple times. These incidents have been described at varying mileages and can pose safety risks such as the potential for rear-end collisions. Additionally, there are multiple complaints about the driver's side visor becoming difficult to adjust, which could lead to visibility issues. Some owners also report problems with the backup camera displaying distorted images, impacting rear visibility. These issues are prevalent regardless of the vehicle's mileage and have been noted by several owners over time.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners report that the 2019 Honda Passport experiences issues related to the fuel system, particularly stalling and loss of motive power, often while driving or idling. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle stalling without warning, sometimes accompanied by a failure to restart, and in some cases, the vehicle hesitates or shifts roughly before stalling. These issues are noted at various mileages, with some instances occurring as early as 1,000 miles and others around 107,000 miles. A significant safety implication is highlighted by a crash incident where the vehicle lost power and control, resulting in a collision with a semi-truck and causing injury. Potential buyers should be aware of the recall-related delays in obtaining parts for the repair of these fuel system issues, as many owners express concerns about the availability of necessary components.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the 2020 Honda Passport's auto stop/start system, where the engine fails to restart after being stopped at traffic lights or in traffic, often requiring multiple attempts or a complete power cycle to resume operation. Complaints frequently mention that this problem occurs even with fully charged batteries, and some incidents involve the vehicle shifting into neutral or park unexpectedly, leading to immobilization in active traffic. Additionally, another common issue involves the infotainment system, where owners describe crackling and popping noises from the speakers, along with screen malfunctions, which can occur randomly and may affect other vehicle functions. These issues are reported at various mileage points, with some starting as early as 31,000 miles, and have safety implications, particularly when vehicles become disabled in traffic. This information is crucial for potential buyers considering a used model, as these patterns suggest recurring electrical system malfunctions.
POWER TRAIN
Owners report that the 2019 Honda Passport frequently experiences power train issues, with multiple complaints highlighting sudden shifts into neutral or stalling while driving. Typical symptoms include the vehicle unexpectedly decelerating, failing to restart after auto-stop, and displaying error messages related to the transmission. These issues often occur at various speeds and can leave the vehicle stranded in traffic, posing a significant safety risk. Complaints are noted at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 1,000 miles and others around 60,000 miles. Buyers should be aware of these recurring transmission problems and the potential for loss of vehicle control.
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
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
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2019 Honda Passport frequently report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, particularly involving phantom braking and false collision alerts. Typical symptoms include the dashboard displaying a "BRAKE" warning, abrupt braking without obstacles, and the steering wheel shaking. These issues often occur across various driving conditions, including clear roads and highways, and some complaints mention the problem starting soon after vehicle purchase or around 60,000 miles. One complaint involves a crash due to unexpected braking, highlighting potential safety risks. Buyers should be aware of the reported need for costly repairs related to the front camera and the potential for ongoing safety system malfunctions.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Pre-purchase inspection
What to check on a used Honda Passport
When problems are reported to begin
- ADAS and visibility issues — 0–20,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
- Service brakes sudden hard braking — 3,400–4,300 miles on the 2024 model-year record
- Steering and braking system malfunctions — 10,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
- Service brakes issues — 22–8,500 miles on the 2023 model-year record
- Electrical system failures — 0–7,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
- Transmission hesitation — 8–25,300 miles on the 2022 model-year record
- Steering issues — 20,000–62,000 miles on the 2022 model-year record
- Service brake failures — 2,200–7,000 miles on the 2022 model-year record
Buyer red flags
- Test auto stop/start feature for hesitation or failure to restart
- Inspect sunroof for signs of damage or unusual noises
- Check for gasoline smell when parked in enclosed spaces
- Verify emergency braking system does not activate unexpectedly
- Ensure vehicle does not pull to one side during acceleration
- Confirm vehicle does not shift into neutral without brake application
- Inspect brake rotors for wear or defects
- Test for unexpected hard braking at highway speeds
How to interpret the counts
Complaint totals are not failure rates
A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.
Source trail
Where this Honda Passport data comes from
VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Honda Passport research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.
Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.
Buyer questions
Honda Passport research FAQ
What is the most common Honda Passport problem?
Power Train is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 7 years with 61 complaints represented.
Which Honda Passport year has the most reported problems?
The 2019 has the largest power train count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.
Do NHTSA complaints prove a Honda Passport has a defect?
No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.
Check the actual car
Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.
Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Honda Passport you are considering.
