2021 Honda PASSPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
139 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
5,650 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking is the most frequently named component, appearing in 34 of 139 complaints (24.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 53 | 38.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 18 | 12.9% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 8.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 7.9% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 5.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 34 |
| Engine | 25 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 24 |
| Electrical System | 23 |
| Power Train | 22 |
| Service Brakes | 21 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 34; Engine: 25; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 24; Electrical System: 23; Power Train: 22; Service Brakes: 21; Unknown Or Other: 12; Fuel/Propulsion System: 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 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 121 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 19 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 26 |
2021: 13; 2022: 24; 2023: 19; 2024: 30; 2025: 27; 2026: 26
Pattern summary
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 53 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 18 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 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 11406823 · 2021-04-07 (April 7, 2021)
THE CAR IS PARK AT HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER THE PURCHASE FROM THE DEALER THE DAY BEFORE. I WENT TO START THE CAR IN THE MORNING THE BRAKE PEDAL IS STIFF, HARD, OR LOCKED CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT START WHEN START BUTTON IS PUSHED. I ENDED UP USING THE REMOTE START AND GOES IN THE CAR PUT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL; THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NO LONGER STIFF, HARD, OR LOCKED AND THE CAR START WHEN I PUSHED THE START BUTTON. EVERY DAY IS THE SAME SINCE.
Owner-reported narrative. 14 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406823 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11414260 · 2021-04-28 (April 28, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM INADVERTENTLY AND FORCEFULLY ACTIVATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. NORM REEVES HONDA SUPERSTORE VISTA (401 W VISTA WAY, VISTA, CA 92083) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED IN ERROR, SENSING A POSSIBLE COLLISION. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED OCCASIONALLY WITH…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11414260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11394358 · 2021-02-02 (February 2, 2021)
BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALER DROVE GREAT ! WEEKS INTO OWNING IT TRANSMISSION IS CLICKING BANGING AND DRIVING ROUGH MOST OF THE ISSUES ARE SECOND AND THIRD GEARS . STREET OR HIGHWAY . SERVICE CAN'T SEEM TO FIX IT VEHICLE IS ALSO SOME TIMES SLUGGISH AND DOESN'T HAVE THE PEP THAT IT SHOULD . TEST DROVE 2 OTHER PASSPORTS AND THEY BOTH HAD GREAT POWER AND NO TRANSMISSION ISSUES PLEASE HELP!
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11394358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11422348 · 2021-06-25 (June 25, 2021)
When I bought vehicle it came rated with 5000lbs towing. To achieve that towing rating I had to buy and get installed the Honda Transmission Cooler. I got the kit installed and right after install there is a noise when the vehicle shifts from 7-8 gear. It sounds like rumble strips. I did some research and there are others who have the same issue. See link to Honda passport forum. https://www.passportforums.com/threads/noise-when-shifting-from-7th-to-8th-gear.2923/ Took vehicle to dealership and they looked it over. They checked fluid level…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404753 · 2021-03-24 (March 24, 2021)
PURCHASED THIS AUTOMOBILE THAT HAVE A VIBRATION WHILE RIDING IN EVERY TYPE OF ROADS THAT I NOTED AFTER RIDING BACK HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. AT THE MOMENT OF THE INITIAL TEST DRIVE THIS CONDITION WASN'T NOTED SINCE WE TEST DRIVE A PASSPORT EX-L TRIM MODEL. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP (APPOINTMENT ON RECORD) AND INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE ISSUES. I WAITED AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 2.5 HRS AND THEY INFORMED THAT THEY VERIFIED THE ALIGNMENT AND WHEEL BALANCES AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. I RETURNED HOME AND CALLED BACK THE DEALER AND INFORMED TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413746 · 2021-04-25 (April 25, 2021)
HELLO I'VE HAD MY 2021 PASSPORT AWD FOR ONLY A WEEK AND HAVE NOTICED IT PULLS NOTICEABLY TO THE RIGHT. THIS EVEN HAPPENS WHEN " THE LANE KEEP ASSIST" IS SWITCHED OFF. IT IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE TO KEEP IT FROM DRIFTING INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND OTHER CARS. THIS HAPPENS ON ALL TYPES OF ROADS BUT IS MOST NOTICEABLE OF HIGHWAYS. THE PULL IS SO STRONG THAT IT MAKES THE LANE KEEP ASSIST SYSTEM (LKAS) UNUSABLE. WHEN USING LKAS ON CRUISE CONTROL THE VEHICLE KEEPS DRIFTING INTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND EVEN CROSSES THE LINE. I WENT TO TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431414 · 2021-09-01 (September 1, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Passport. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the instrument panel lights, and GPS navigator screen inadvertently turned black. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the dashboard wiring connectors were faulty. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired as the parts for repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring upon starting the vehicle and while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the fa…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11431414 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11498755 · 2022-12-24 (December 24, 2022)
I am writing to make you aware of an alarming incident that happened with our 2021 Honda Passport this fall. My wife backed out of the garage and was in our driveway when the vehicle engine suddenly turned off and a message appeared on the entertainment display. It said that the antitheft system had lost power and that the power button needed to be pushed to restore it. She finally got the car to start by pushing the “volume” button, NOT the power (engine on/off) button. The message disappeared. If this would have happened while actually on …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11685164 · 2025-09-04 (September 4, 2025)
my vehicle shut off during idle for energy compensation. It failed to restart and allow the vehicle to be in drive causing the car to stall out and not turn back on.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11685164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11456230 · 2022-03-10 (March 10, 2022)
Confirmed high pressure fuel pump makes a high pitched “chirp” when engine is warm and at idle.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11456230 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11699437 · 2025-11-14 (November 14, 2025)
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Passport. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle vibrated abnormally and drove roughly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer suggested that the fuel injector and throttle body n…
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11699437 at NHTSA ↗