The Lemon Index
202020223rd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: automatic emergency braking
86 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1252021 Ford Edge 532021 Nissan Murano 19
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2021 Honda Passport
- Engine stalling11 complaints
- Phantom braking (collision system)10 complaints
Specific parts named in the 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Honda Passport (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 13 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V365000 (body structure), 26V332000 (airbags) and 24V064000 (airbags) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into inadvertent automatic emergency braking. Has this car had that problem?
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Honda sent dealers 93 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Honda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 86 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 7K miles (0K to 11K km) on the car (13 of all 86 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The forward colision warning comes on for no reason and brakes are getting applied for no reason. Very dangerous and can cause a rear end crash.
2021 Honda Passport owner · NHTSA complaint 11583738
More owner reports
Under many normal driving conditions, the front collision brake system activates. This has almost caused a collision as it shakes the wheel and applies the brakes.
NHTSA complaint 11577349
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 93 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential
- Service Bulletins A20-058 and A20-049 are now released to address popping or crackling
- ServiceNews Article - We have received information from the vendor (Alpine) that display…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Body structure · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
- Airbags · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- Airbags · recall issued 2024
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Show all 7 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2023
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Brakes · recall issued 2023
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.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2023
Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display.
- Visibility · recall issued 2023
The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenInadvertent automatic emergency braking2025
- OpenNo restart after auto start/stop engages2025
- ClosedInadvertent automatic emergency braking2024–2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda PASSPORT SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Honda PASSPORT SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$2,850 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Honda Passport year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/honda-passport/?y=2021" title="Honda Passport reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/honda-passport/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Honda Passport reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Honda Passport reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 167; 100 is average, lower is better). The Honda Passport year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2022.
What are the most common 2021 Honda Passport problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (50%), brakes (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Passport have?
7 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Honda Passport get?
21 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Honda Passport safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2021 Honda Passport have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Honda Passport cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Honda Passport have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Passport year is better than the 2021?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works