2020 Honda PASSPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
98 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
7,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 98 complaints (27.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 34 | 34.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 12.2% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 8.2% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 5.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 27 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 23 |
| Engine | 16 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 13 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Lane Departure: Warning | 6 |
Electrical System: 27; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 23; Engine: 16; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 13; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 12; Unknown Or Other: 11; Service Brakes: 8; Lane Departure: Warning: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 75 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 17 |
2020: 13; 2021: 4; 2022: 7; 2023: 13; 2024: 17; 2025: 27; 2026: 17
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11340554 · 2020-07-21 (July 21, 2020)
VEHICLE BRAKING HEAVILY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ON HIGHWAY AND INTERSTATE DUE TO DEFECTIVE HONDA SENSING GROUP INPUT DATA (RADAR, CAMERA, ON-BOARD SOFTWARE CREATING DANGEROUS SITUATION) AT HIGH SPEEDS (60-70MPH).
Owner-reported narrative. 550 miles reported. Look up ODI 11340554 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11343466 · 2020-08-05 (August 5, 2020)
SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSES CRACKLING/POPPING TO COME OUT OF INFOTAINMENT SPEAKERS. INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM CAN BE SET TO OFF AND PROBLEM WILL STILL PERSIST. THE CRACKLING AND POPPING CAN HAPPEN RANDOMLY AND TO VARIOUS LOUDNESS LEVELS. UNDER ABRUPT BRAKING OR ROAD BUMP, PROBLEM WILL OCCUR LOUDLY. THE NOISE CAN SOUND LIKE ROAD GRAVEL HITTING WINDSHIELD AND IS VERY DISTRACTING. WEATHER, SUCH AS VERY HUMID OR RAINING CONDITIONS WORSENS THE PROBLEM AND INCREASES ODDS OF IT HAPPENING.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11343466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418556 · 2021-05-25 (May 25, 2021)
Not long after buying my car I noticed a popping sound from the speakers. I took it back to Honda in which they added a harness. This did nothing and the popping got louder to the point it became a distraction and even turning the radio panel off did nothing. The speakers would get hot along with a burning smell. I took it in for a 2nd time in which nothing was done and then the third time the speakers were re-wired. As of today the popping noise is back, I lose connection to all audio (Bluetooth, FM, AM, SirusXM, AndroidAuto, etc.) this makes …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418556 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11578026 · 2024-03-18 (March 18, 2024)
The engine lost power and shut down while driving on the highway. The vehicle has been at a Honda dealership since this date (so about 8 weeks now). It can be inspected but I am on the verge of replacing the engine at my cost. The loss of power resulted in putting the vehicle on the side of and icy highway at night and at risk of being hit or sideswiped. There was very little cell service which meant that a tow truck couldn't be called right away. There were no warning signs that the engine was experiencing trouble before this engine failure…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11578026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11618781 · 2024-10-08 (October 8, 2024)
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Passport. The contact stated while attempting to stop at a red light, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was restarted after the third attempt however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11618781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11432023 · 2021-09-07 (September 7, 2021)
Manufacturer Communication Number: A21-012 Summary Service Bulletin - A loose connection in the MOST bus network is causing 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. This is a known problem. On my vehicle it caused the rear camera to go out which is required safety equipment. Also the noise is so loud sometimes it startles me and I jerk the steering wheel. I have been to the dealer 2 times and they say it is a known problem but have no parts. Thi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11432023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11519774 · 2023-05-01 (May 1, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Passport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking Assist warning light illuminated, causing the steering wheel to vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the cameras were adjusted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11519774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11328673 · 2020-06-13 (June 13, 2020)
NEW VEHICLE RUNNING IN HIGHWAY WITH JUST 570 MILES (AND 3 WEEKS) STARTED TO LEAK FUEL UNDER THE FUEL TANK VERY FAST. FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUND HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. HOLLER HONDA DEALER FOUND SAME. I DIDN'T SEE OR FEEL ANY CONTACT WITH ANOTHER OBJECT. IT LOOKS FOR ME PLASTIC FUEL TANK IS DEFECTIVE, OR IT IS TOO THIN OR EXPOSED TO BE BROKEN AND FIRE DAMAGE IT IS HIGHLY PROBABLY WITH NORMAL USE IN ROADS. WE FEEL UNSAFE IN THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK OR THE BAD LOCATION OR TANK DESIGN IS RISKY . *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 12 miles reported. Look up ODI 11328673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11341082 · 2020-07-23 (July 23, 2020)
ON JULY 14 2020 A FLYING OBJECT WENT UNDER MY CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I73 (CLOSE TO GATE CITY BLVD GREENSBORO NC).THE OBJECT GASHED THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK CAUSING FUEL LEAK!THE PLASTIC TANK IS CLOSE TO THE MANIFOLD WHICH COULD OF CAUSED FIRE OR EXPLOSION OF THE VEHICLE!THE FUEL TANK IS SHIELDED FROM THE BOTTOM BUT IT'S NOT SHIELDED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER THE VEHICLE!I THINK IT'S A MISTAKE AND IT'S A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD BC IT'S VERY EXPOSED TO ANY ROAD DEBRIS OR RANDOM SMALL OBJECTS WHICH CAN HARM THE THIN TANK SIDE!THE CHASSIS…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11341082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11515971 · 2023-04-07 (April 7, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Passport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission erroneously shifted to neural and suddenly the vehicle would not accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. During the failure, the shift indicator displayed that the transmission was in drive(D). The failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate or determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 40,000. Th…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11515971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11681724 · 2025-08-19 (August 19, 2025)
Component Affected: Engine / Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: No Deaths: No Incident 1 •Date: January 30, 2025 •Time: ~9:45 AM •Location: Dysart Rd & E Van Buren St, Avondale, AZ •Witness: Taylor (passenger) •Speed: 0 mph (stopped at red light) •Weather: 49°F ambient temperature Description: While stopped at a red light, the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system engaged. When I attempted to accelerate as the light turned green, the engine failed to restart. The car was immobilized in the left-hand lane, hazards on, and shifted i…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11681724 at NHTSA ↗