2021 Honda Passport Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 20%of 145 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 700miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Honda Passport, 20% of the 145 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 700 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2021 Honda Passport Elite suffered cataphoric engine failure at 90,000 miles. The 6th cylinder bearing was missing when my vehicle was towed into Honda for diagnosis after my engine shut off while I was traveling 55 mph. I had no warnings for this failure including no engine noises and no check engine lights. I had to have a new engine put in my vehicle and Honda refused to cover the cost at 100% because they stated there were no open recalls at this time. …”
NHTSA complaint #11735989, filed 2026-05, 90,212 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11406823, filed 2021-04, 14 miles“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!”
NHTSA complaint #11394358, filed 2021-02, 700 miles“I was at a traffic light, when the light turned green I gave the car gas it hesitated, then went into neutral, the battery sign showed on the dash, the car would not go. I was 1 line under half a tank of gas, so I wasn’t empty. Also, just before this happened the radio became full of static on an FM channel. It wouldn’t allow me to switch to park to try and restart it. Scary and Frustrating!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11770229, filed 2026-10“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11719633, filed 2026-02Related service bulletins
- 11020578Jul 7, 2025Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or…
- 11005272Jul 20, 2024Service Bulletin - MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more common…
- 11002716Jun 19, 2024Service Bulletin - The MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more…
- 11000142May 1, 2024Service NewsDue to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) On-Board…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 9% |
| 2025 | 18 | 38% |
| 2024 | 3 | 15% |
| 2023 | 5 | 13% |
| 2022 | 11 | 17% |
| 2021 | 29 | 20% |
| 2020 | 18 | 17% |
| 2019 | 52 | 18% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 3 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2021 Honda Passport
52 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsLane departure
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Honda Passport
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology