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U.S. public vehicle records

2021 Honda PASSPORT: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported patterns

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.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior5338.1%
Transmission and shifting1812.9%
Steering behavior128.6%
Electrical and battery issues117.9%
Engine operation85.8%
Fuel system concerns21.4%

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.

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
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking34
Engine25
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings24
Electrical System23
Power Train22
Service Brakes21
Unknown Or Other12
Fuel/Propulsion System6

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.

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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00011
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

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.

2021
13
2022
24
2023
19
2024
30
2025
27
2026
26
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
202113
202224
202319
202430
202527
202626

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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

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 11398931 · 2021-03-03 (March 3, 2021)

THE VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO PARK IF THE DRIVER STOPS THE VEHICLE AND EXITS THE VEHICLE WITHOUT TAKING IT OUT OF DRIVE, REVERSE, OR NEUTRAL. IT'S DESIGNED TO DO THAT ON THE PUSH BUTTON TRANSMISSIONS USED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE SENSOR THAT DOES THIS IS ACTIVATED BY UNBUCKLING THE SEAT BELT. IF SOMEONE IS USING A SEAT BELT EXTENDER AND UNBUCKLES THE SEAT BELT FROM THE EXTENDER AND LEAVES THE EXTENDER PLUGGED IN THIS SYSTEM IS DEFEATED. THE VEHICLE CAN MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THOUSANDS OF PEOPL…

Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 11398931 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 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 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 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 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 11422638 · 2021-06-28 (June 28, 2021)

Car shifted into neutral on its own while accelerating up a freeway on ramp with a transmission error warning light on dash and could not get the vehicle to go back into gear until ignition was cycled a couple times. Obvious safety risk as any vehicle movement was impossible, and was not able to completely coast out of the traffic lane. There was no known symptom prior to this event and the vehicle is currently at the dealership for repair/warranty evaluation though they state "it is not showing any error codes on the diagnostics plug in", they…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422638 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

23V174000 · Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior

Reported: 2023-03-16 (March 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V431000 · Back Over Prevention:Display Function

Reported: 2023-06-15 (June 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V458000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder

Reported: 2023-06-29 (June 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump

Reported: 2023-12-18 (December 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V064000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger

Reported: 2024-02-01 (February 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. 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
26V332000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger

Reported: 2026-05-21 (May 21, 2026)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
26V365000 · Suspension:Rear | Structure:Frame And Members

Reported: 2026-06-04 (June 4, 2026)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗