2023 Honda Passport Safety Report

The 2023 Honda Passport presents a mixed safety picture, achieving an excellent 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with 5 stars in side impact and 4 stars in frontal and rollover tests. However, this strong crash test performance is contrasted by a notable number of complaints and four significant recalls. With 27 total complaints, including 2 crashes and 7 injuries, there are clear patterns of concern. A significant portion of complaints, 3 out of 27, relate to the POWER TRAIN, often describing hesitation, gear searching, and harsh acceleration, which can pose a safety risk during merging or quick maneuvers. Another prominent issue, also with 3 complaints, is the FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE system, with drivers reporting unexpected braking when no obstacles are present, leading to potential rear-end collisions or loss of control, as evidenced by multiple detailed complaints. The recall history further highlights critical safety vulnerabilities. Four recalls have been issued, addressing serious defects. One recall pertains to the fuel filler neck tube, which could separate and cause a fuel leak, increasing fire risk. Another critical recall involves the steering gearbox assembly, where the inner ball joint housing may loosen and detach, leading to a loss of steering control and increased crash risk. A third recall addresses the brake master cylinder, where a tie rod fastener issue could cause separation and a complete loss of brake function. Finally, a recall for the rearview camera system due to a faulty communication coaxial cable could result in the camera not displaying an image, reducing rear visibility and increasing crash risk. These recalls indicate fundamental design or manufacturing flaws that could severely compromise vehicle safety. In summary, while the 2023 Honda Passport performs well in controlled crash tests, the real-world data from NHTSA complaints and recalls reveals several concerning issues. The high number of complaints regarding the powertrain and the forward collision avoidance system, coupled with four significant recalls addressing fuel leaks, steering loss, brake failure, and rearview camera malfunction, suggest that despite its high safety ratings, owners may encounter serious safety-related problems. The 7 reported injuries and 2 crashes underscore the potential severity of these issues, indicating that the vehicle's active safety systems and fundamental components have experienced failures that could lead to dangerous situations.

Our recommendation: Despite strong NHTSA crash test ratings, potential buyers of a 2023 Honda Passport should be aware of the four significant safety recalls and numerous owner complaints regarding powertrain issues and unexpected automatic emergency braking. Thoroughly check if all recall repairs have been completed and consider an extended test drive to assess powertrain and active safety system behavior.