2021 Honda Passport Safety Report
2021 Honda Passport Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Honda Passport
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Honda Passport. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (122) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 10 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Forward Collision Avoidance | Compare forward collision avoidance issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Honda Passport with 13 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Honda Passport before buying across this generation. |
Honda Passport Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Honda Passport years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Honda Passport | 47 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Honda Passport | 84 | 8 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Honda Passport | 27 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Honda Passport | 257 | 8 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Honda Passport | 13 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2025 Honda Passport | 15 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2021 Honda Passport Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Honda Passport, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Forward Collision Avoidance
19 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Honda onlyPower Train
17 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Honda onlyEngine
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Honda onlyService Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Honda onlyElectrical System
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Honda onlyService Brakes
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Honda onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Honda Passport
Reliability Score
The 2021 Honda Passport receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Honda Passport
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Honda Passport
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Honda Passport:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance System The system occasionally activates unexpectedly, causing sudden braking. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Train Multiple recalls have been issued for power train issues, indicating a high frequency of problems. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes Issues with hydraulic components have been reported, leading to recalls. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System The system has shown signs of malfunction, leading to recalls. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Honda Passport:
The system is prone to unexpected activation, causing sudden braking.
Recalls for power train issues are frequent.
Hydraulic components have shown issues, leading to recalls.
The system has shown signs of malfunction, leading to recalls.
Recall Details for the 2021 Honda Passport
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Honda Passport by NHTSA:
Summary: 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, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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 Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Honda Passport
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Honda Passport with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes.
I purchased a used 2021 Passport the end of May 2025. While driving, the 'collision mitigation braking system' or CMBS would activate the braking system and would intermittently just brake, causing panic for not only myself, but I'm sure drivers behind me for suddenly braking with no imminent threat in from of me. This happened multiple times without receiving any warning or notifications, just ...
After having constant issues with the idle stop and the car alarm going off in the middle of the night and day for no apparent reason I took it to the dealer to get it fixed. After supposedly fixing the idle stop, about two weeks later I was going up a ramp during a heavy traffic hour and the car completely shot down. It took me a few minutes to get it back on. I’ve had issues with this car from d...
During an oil change my magnetic drain plug was caked with magnetic gray material with specks of silver flake in it. This oil change has 6142 miles on it. I am concerned because my passport was built in Sept of 2020 right at the transition of the previously recalled j35 motors were produced. Car has been serviced at the Honda dealer since new except last 2 oil changes which were performed by me.
Auto idle malfunctioned. At a stop light the engine turned off and it took 5 minutes to restart the engine. No warning lights or messages appeared before it happened. Had the PGM-Fl Idle stop software update done 9/16/23 at 17,582 miles. Took to dealer they could not re create , the car has 46,359 miles now. This is 2nd vehicle this has happened to me , other vehicle same exact auto idle problem s...
One day the lights just started flashing. Took to dealer and was told that someone must have backed into me and would be about $2500 to replace the camera (which is behind the windshield). Occasionally it will function but clearly seems to be a malfunction. In research online there appear to be many others that have experienced the same issue - can’t just be a coincidence. Shouldn’t happen on a re...
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A SECONDARY ROAD AFTER EXITING THE INTERSTATE ENGINE POWER WASNT THERE AND THE CAR FELT AS IT WAS GOING TO EVENTUALLY JUST DIE. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN OVER 50 MILES, SO IT WAS AT OPERATING TEMP.. REMOVING FOOT OFF THE THROTTLE AND REALPPLYING SEVERAL TIMES HAD THE CAR RETURN TO FULL POWER. LUCKILY, FOR THIS INCIDENT, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND THE MER...
During a winter storm in approximately 10°F weather, my vehicle became immobilized due to a no-start condition. The starter initially engaged and cranked the engine several times, then failed and would only free-spin without turning the engine. After this occurred, the vehicle could not be shifted into neutral because it is equipped with an electronic shift-by-wire transmission. The only method to...
Was driving 47 mph at 12:35 EST on a clear sunny day and car braked automatically. No car in front of me.
During a normal drive we came to a stoplight, seconds after stopping, an emissions alert displayed along with transmission and VSA (I think). Upon seeing these codes I began to drive into a gas station and the vehicle barely moved with little power. We were able to park about 40 feet away and the vehicle would not move any further. This sounds similar to the existing recall but this model year ...
Vehicle has been having AIS issues for a couple of years, requiring new batteries, new starter/relays and countless internal computer updates (none of which have helped btw...). This morning she had the AIS engaged, went to turn left at a green light and when she released the brake the vehicle threw itself into Neutral and flashed a "Auto Idle Stop System Problem" message on the dash. She put it i...
SRS warning light came on. Diagnostic found Code U3000-49 Internal Failure of the SRS unit-Seat weight sensors on front passenger seat Front seat lower frame/rail required replacement and was completed by the dealer at my out of pocket cost. This vehicle was not included in the Honda 750,000 vehicle recall for this same defect. Reference Notice 24-050
Car slammed on brakes while on interstate, the system likes to say brake, brake, brake, when there is nothing to brake for but a few days ago it actually took action and slammed on brakes on the freeway.
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,...
No incident has occurred. However, my concern is that a recall was issued on February 1, 2024 (NHTSA Recall Number 24V-064), and as of October 31, 2025, Honda is still stating that parts are not available to complete the repair. I first contacted Honda in March 2025—over a year after the recall was issued—and was informed that the necessary parts were still unavailable. I called again in October...
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Passport. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the connecting rod bearing in cylinder #3, resulting in damage to the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. After investig...
To preface: All of these issues only occur when the engine idle feature is on. I have not experienced any of these problems when the feature is off. Question #1: When I release the brake with the engine idle on, the vehicle will sometimes completely shut off. When this happens, the steering wheel and brakes lock up, and I am unable to restart the vehicle for at least 60 seconds. Question #2: On ...
I own the 2021 Honda Passport (Touring). On numerous occasions while making left or right turns. The truck will decelerate by itself, and the engine will rev up and the RPM increase but the truck fails to respond when the accelerator pedal is depressed. I continue to press the accelerator pedal, and the truck eventually appears to catch up with its speed. Very dangerous when trying to enter from ...
CMBS (Collision Mitigation Braking System) Problem
My Passport has shut down 4 times recently while idling at a stop. There is a auto start/stop feature on the car that shuts down the engine at stops until the brake is released. The problem is that it sometimes does not restart after releasing the brake. The first 3 times it happened at an intersection so it was no big deal. The last time, today, it stalled on a highway as soon as I stopped for he...
When I turn on the car, the "BRAKE SYSTEM" warning light appears, along with several alerts that disable all Honda safety features, including: 1. Road Departure Mitigation System Problem 2. Auto High-Beam Problem 3. Adaptive Cruise Control Problem 4. Lane Keeping Assist Problem 5. Collision Mitigation System Problem After taking the vehicle to a Honda dealership, the diagnosis was a failure ...
Showing 20 of 122 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 Honda Passport
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
Opened 2024-03-07 · Closed 2025-01-17
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 a...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor
Opened 2025-03-26
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, ...
Component: Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
Opened 2025-01-17
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 a...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Honda Passport
Has the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT have?
The 2021 HONDA PASSPORT has 122 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 10 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT?
The 2021 HONDA PASSPORT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT involve forward collision avoidance (19 complaints), power train (17 complaints), engine (7 complaints). Other affected components include service brakes,forward collision avoidance, electrical system, service brakes.
How many crash reports does the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT have?
There are 10 crash reports associated with the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT out of 122 total complaints (8.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 HONDA PASSPORT?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT is acceptable with caveats. It has 122 complaints, 5 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT are: 1. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (19 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (17 complaints), 3. ENGINE (7 complaints), 4. SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (7 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6 complaints). FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE is the single most-reported problem area with 19 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 HONDA PASSPORT?
Be aware of potential issues with the forward collision avoidance system, power train, service brakes, and electrical system. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2021 HONDA PASSPORT has 122 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT?
The 2021 HONDA PASSPORT receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 122 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 10 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Forward Collision Avoidance System and Power Train.
What are the known issues with the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT?
Known issues with the 2021 HONDA PASSPORT include: Forward Collision Avoidance System, Power Train, Service Brakes, Electrical System. These are based on patterns found across 122 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2021 Honda Passport?
Common issues include unexpected activation of the forward collision avoidance system, power train recalls, and problems with service brakes and the electrical system.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Honda Passport?
Yes, there have been recalls for issues with the air bags, fuel system, and visibility, including the rearview mirrors.
What should I do if I experience unexpected braking from the forward collision avoidance system?
Contact your local Honda dealership for a diagnostic check and potential software updates or repairs.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential issues with the forward collision avoidance system, power train, service brakes, and electrical system. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Honda Passport
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Honda Passport. The data includes 122 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 10 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Honda Passport an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16