Diagsheet

Third generation

2021 Honda Passport

The most reported problem on the 2021 Honda Passport is phantom braking, with 25 complaints.

  • 142owner complaints
  • 7recalls
  • 10involved a crash
  • 20,000median miles at failure

Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026

miles

2021 Honda Passport
Photo: Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

What is your Passport doing?

Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.

Is the 2021 Honda Passport reliable?

The 2021 Honda Passport has 142 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 8 Passport model years since 2019, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.

At a glance

Next to the 2020 and 2022
The 2021 stands out from the model years on either side. It draws 24 complaints for each year on the road, while the 2020 draws 14 and the 2022 12.
Top problem
Two problems run close. Phantom braking has 25 complaints and false collision warning has 24, out of 142 in all. Too few of the phantom braking reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
Crash, fire and injury reports
11 of the 142 complaints (8%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little above the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 10 reports mention a crash and 3 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 3 of 10, fall under phantom braking.
Recalls behind the top problems
No recall on file is on the same system as phantom braking. For those, the complaints are all there is.
When owners filed
Filings peaked in 2024 at 30 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 27. So far in 2026, 29 more have come in.

When each problem shows up

Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking), 25 complaints.

0k25k50k75k100k125k150kyou
Every complaint with a mileage23 of 142
23 complaints state a mileage. The most, 7, fall between 0 and 10,000 miles.
Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)25 reports3 crashes
too few reports state a mileage

middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.

Behind you

    Around your mileage

      Ahead of you

        How this compares

        2021 Honda Passport142
        Median 2021 model here (80 vehicles)190
        Median 2021 SUV here (50)216

        142 complaints is 1.3 times fewer than the median 2021 model on this site and 1.5 times fewer than the median 2021 SUV. Among the 4 Passport model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.

        Service bulletins for the 2021 Honda Passport

        Honda filed 93 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Honda Passport. 8 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.

        Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.

        Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 5 bulletins · 14 complaints

        • Service bulletinATI&07242023909Jul 24, 2023

          American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 Passports with a customer complaint of the rearview camera inop with gridlines still displaying on the screen.

        • Service bulletinATI&01032022904Jan 3, 2022

          American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2021 Passports with a customer complaint of the rear view camera inop.

        3 more on this problem
        • Service bulletinA20-058Jul 26, 2021

          There is a popping or crackling from the speakers or no sound from the audio system. You may also see a Network Loss message and/or display issues.

        • Service bulletinA21010CJan 19, 2021

          ServiceNews Article - We have received information from the vendor (Alpine) that display panels are being replaced for cracks on the center display screen.

        • Service bulletinAPaS07292020Jul 29, 2020

          On Monday July 27th, American Honda released Service Bulletin 20-049 for 19-20 Odyssey. Service Bulletin 20-058 for 19-21 Pilot and Passport is forthcoming.

        Check engine light or misfire 3 bulletins · 6 complaints

        • Service bulletinA23-009Jul 7, 2025

          Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque.

        • Service bulletinA23-091Dec 15, 2023

          Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441 (Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Purge Flow Malfunction).

        1 more on this problem
        • Service bulletinATI&03282023902Mar 28, 2023

          American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2020-2022 Accords, CR-Vs, Odysseys, Passports, Pilots, Ridgelines, 2020 Fits, 2020-2021 Civic Hatchbacks, 2020-2023 Civic Sedans/Coups with a customer complaint of the Check Engine Light (CEL) on & ...

        Complaints filed by year

        Complaints by the year NHTSA received them: 2021: 13, 2022: 24, 2023: 19, 2024: 30, 2025: 27, 2026: 2913'2124'2219'2330'2427'2529'26

        30 complaints came in 2024. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.

        NHTSA investigations

        EA25-004opened Mar 26, 2025
        Engine · model years 2019 to 2025

        No restart after auto start/stop engages. Open.

        NHTSA summary
        On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has review
        EA25-002opened Jan 17, 2025
        Collision avoidance · model years 2019 to 2023

        Inadvertent automatic emergency braking. Open.

        NHTSA summary
        On March 7, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24008) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year 2019-2022 Honda Insight and 2019-2022 Honda Passport vehicles. The complainants allege activation of the AEB system with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's path, resulting in rapid vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that it is aware of a total of 412 reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and stated that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the AEB system and its limitations. However, many consumer complaints received by ODI allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that Honda dealerships informed the consumer that this is considered normal AEB operation. To date, ODI has received a total of 106 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of AEB in the subject vehicles.In total, ODI reviewed 475 reports involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect. Of the reports reviewed by ODI, three (3) allege a crash caused by the inadvertent activation of AEB and two (2) allege injury. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations. Further, the scope of the investigation is being expanded to include assessment of model year
        PE24-008opened Mar 7, 2024
        Collision avoidance · model years 2019 to 2022

        Inadvertent automatic emergency braking. Closed jan 17, 2025.

        NHTSA summary
        On March 7, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24008) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year 2019-2022 Honda Insight and 2019-2022 Honda Passport vehicles. The complainants allege activation of the AEB system with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's path, resulting in rapid vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that it is aware of a total of 412 reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and stated that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the AEB system and its limitations. However, many consumer complaints received by ODI allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that Honda dealerships informed the consumer that this is considered normal AEB operation. To date, ODI has received a total of 106 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of AEB in the subject vehicles.In total, ODI reviewed 475 reports involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect. Of the reports reviewed by ODI, three (3) allege a crash caused by the inadvertent activation of AEB and two (2) allege injury. This Preliminary Evaluation is being upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA25002) to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations. Further, the scope of the Engineering Analysis is be

        Recalls that include the 2021 Honda Passport

        Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        26V-365Jun 4, 2026
        Structure:Frame And Members

        American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

        Risk and remedy
        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 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
        26V-332May 21, 2026
        Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger

        Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

        Risk and remedy
        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) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
        24V-064Feb 1, 2024
        Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger

        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.

        Risk and remedy
        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.
        23V-858Dec 18, 2023
        Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump

        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.

        Risk and remedy
        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.
        23V-458Jun 29, 2023
        Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder

        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.

        Risk and remedy
        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.
        23V-431Jun 15, 2023
        Back Over Prevention:Display Function

        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."

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: 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.
        23V-174Mar 16, 2023
        Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior

        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."

        Risk and remedy
        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.

        All 7 recalls on the 2021 Honda Passport, with the owner complaints on each recalled system

        Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean

        Questions

        What is the most common problem on the 2021 Honda Passport?

        Phantom braking, with 25 of the 142 complaints.

        At what mileage do 2021 Honda Passport problems start?

        Of the 23 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 6,000 miles and half by about 20,000.

        Is the 2021 Honda Passport better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?

        Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has more complaints than both the 2020 and the 2022: 24 a year against 14 and 12.

        How many 2021 Honda Passport complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?

        11 of them (8%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.

        Is there a recall for phantom braking on the 2021 Honda Passport?

        No recall on file for the 2021 Honda Passport is on the same system as phantom braking. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        Other model years

        201927820201012021142202663