What 90 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Honda Passport

I was at a red light and all of a sudden my car switched to neutral. I could not get out of neutral and tried unsuccessfully to get my car into drive. I finally was able to shut the car off (not sure if opening the door helped reset the system) and start it again. I now turn off the idle option

NHTSA ODI 11746675

It's a sunny day in Florida and approximately at [XXX] while traveling straight on a public roadway, the vehicle directly in front of me moved into the left-turn lane, completely clearing my lane of travel. As I actively accelerated to pass the turning vehicle, my Honda’s Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) inadvertently activated despite my lane being completely clear and unobstructed. The emergency automatic braking engaged forcefully just after I passed the vehicle in the left-turn lane. This unexpected, false-positive braking event caused a severe, rapid deceleration that nearly resulted in a rear-end collision by the vehicle traveling behind me. This exact situation has occurred on 3 other separate occasions. I'm in fear of being rear-ended, especially with my kids in the car, because my vehicle body language prior to the forceful braking has been acceleration. The drivers behind me are likely to see my acceleration and proceed with their own acceleration just to be blind-sided with my vehicles sudden and hard braking. It's a disaster waiting to happen, especially on busy roadways. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11744941

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Passport. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle with the Push-To-Start feature, the Adaptive Cruise Control, Road Departure Mitigation, Collision Mitigation Brake System, and Lane Keeping assist system, and the high beam messages were displayed on the instrument panel. An audible alarm sounded while the messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the multipurpose camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost, and because the parts were on back order. Upon further investigation, the contact stated that the windshield heat exposure might have caused the failure in the hotter weatehr. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,078.

NHTSA ODI 11744752

Car tried to start on its own, set off the alarm multiple times and killed a new battery after 6 months. Would not allow me to enter car by remote had to unplug battery. issue with Start/stop idle system, it is know issue with Honda ridgeline but having same issue with passport.

NHTSA ODI 11743870

1. Component/System: Multipurpose Camera Unit (IDAS/ADAS system) — U3000-49 "Internal Electronic Failure" + cascading CAN communication faults. The vehicle and diagnostic data (May 15, 2026 scan) are available for inspection upon request. 2. Safety Risk: Warning lights for LKAS (Lane Keeping) and ACC (Adaptive Cruise) disabled those systems. No crash or loss-of-control occurred; the issue was discovered post-service before driving. 3. Reproduction/Confirmation: Confirmed by dealer lights absent at drop-off (their photo, Exhibit A), present after oil change. Diagnostic scan at dealer (2:26 PM May 15) verified U3000-49 + codes. Not independently reproduced. 4. Inspections: Scanned by Germain Honda dealer only. No manufacturer (Honda Corporate), police, or insurance inspection yet. This complaint package is being submitted to Honda Customer Relations. 5. Warnings/Symptoms: None prior. Vehicle had no ADAS issues or lights at drop-off (dealer photo + advisor confirmation). Lights appeared during/after the May 15, 2026 oil change

NHTSA ODI 11738769

don’t have the exact locations,date or time but this has happened around 5 times where I am driving and comes to a come a complete stop and my engine wouldn’t start,I had to put on my hazard lights turn off the vehicle then restart it

NHTSA ODI 11727178

Brakes were being applied when no cars were around me. Now, 5 warnings were given to me as I drove down the highway. The warnings were as follows: Adaptive Cruise Control Problem Collision Mitigation System Problem Road Departure Mitigation System Problem Lane Keeping Assist ProblemAuto High-Beam Problem Brake System Light

NHTSA ODI 11717124

Engine failed and now the piston rod is knocking inside the engine. Engine failure while operating a vehicle is extremely dangerous and could cause an accident or death to myself and anyone else around my vehicle while its being operated. This type of issue can even cause a fire in the engine bay. When the issue presented itself I was going 60 down the highway. Yes, the vehicle has been in two independent shops which have both confirmed the engine failure due to premature connecting rod bearing wear which was most likely caused by manufacturer crankshaft issues. No it has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance, or others. No there were not any warning lights, messages, or sysmptoms prior to the failure.

NHTSA ODI 11714777

Car shuts down and does not restart. Also goes to neutral and does not allow car to be steered. Also seems to be related to auto restart.

NHTSA ODI 11711008

Was at a red light and the car just shut off. NOTHING! After about 5-10 seconds I pushed the start stop button and it hesitated for a few seconds and I let go and then tried it again. It hesitated and then came on. No problem the rest of the day. I have had the car for a year and zeo issues with the. My Mother had it for 3 years previously and she never had the issue. The battery is good (and only 1 year old) because I put it on my tester a few months ago. 70,000 miles. I looked up the symptoms and found that this has been an on going issue for a few years. NOT NEW. I reached out to Honda and they said I have to have it diagnosed and pay for it.

NHTSA ODI 11705925

At approx. 5 years of age & 67,500 miles, the engine began to make rattling or ticking noises that were in sync with engine speed (RPM). Within 1 day of noting the noise, I took the first available appointment to bring the vehicle to my local Honda dealership, Napleton Honda in Loves Park, IL. Napleton Honda diagnosed the issue as "rod knock" due to failing connecting rod bearings. The dealership advised that the only recourse is to replace the engine. Honda Motor Corp (manufacturer) was notified by me about the issue, but they declined to make any substantive effort to assist with the repair costs despite the fact that the issue is increasingly known and documented as per NHTSA campaign # RQ24013

NHTSA ODI 11704578

Fuel pump failure mid-traffic in busy two lane road, unable to start vehicle. The engine sputtered and then halted with all warning lights on dashboard lighting up. Full propulsion of the vehicle ceased while in traffic causing car to be dead on the side of the road until police and tow truck could be dispatched. If this occurred on a busier road or in a 65 mile per hour divided highway, this could have caused a major mukti-vehicle accident and placed me in significant danger.

NHTSA ODI 11703262

The brake system is not working properly when stopped on a hill. The vehicle will roll backwards after pushing the brake. If you are stopped on a hill you have to keep the brake engaged while also accelerating to keep from rolling backwards and hitting the car behind you.

NHTSA ODI 11702848

Burnt Oil Smell Inside Cabin (When Heater Is on High) I frequently notice a burnt oil smell inside the cabin, especially during the first hour of driving in the morning with the heater set to high. My local Honda dealership inspected the vehicle but did not find a specific cause, attributing it instead to a “Honda smell.” They demonstrated a similar odor on a new Passport and suggested using a charcoal cabin filter. However, I remain concerned about a potential fire risk. Auto Idle Start-Stop Feature Unavailable The Auto Idle Start-Stop system rarely functions properly—it has worked approximately 10% of the time I’ve owned the vehicle. After each service visit, it temporarily resumes operation, then soon displays the message “Auto Idle Start-Stop Feature Not Available.” Blank Center Display / ‘MOST Net Off’ Message The center display intermittently goes blank or reboots repeatedly, showing a “MOST Net Off” message. This makes it difficult and distracting to navigate while driving. I understand a previous recall was intended to resolve this issue, but the problem persists.

NHTSA ODI 11698869

My Honda is 3.5 L V6 engine blew up I know there’s a recall for the 3.5 L V6 engine on my Honda. However, the recalls don’t include the passport, which is what I have but the connecting rods blue causing engine failure.

NHTSA ODI 11696963

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Passport. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle began to shake. The vehicle was steered into a parking lot and the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11696141

2020 Honda Passport VIN [XXX] engine start stop system fails at stop in a crossroad light. Vehicle becomes inoperable, on screen instructions not executable. After several attempts of turning vehicle off / on it finally starts. Stranded vehicle at light causes traffic to start swerving to avoid stalled vehicle - unsafe condition. No warning lights nor messages were observed in driver information system previous to failure occurrence. Malfunction has happened at least 3 times in last 6 months INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11695725

Car would not start. Jump start immediate remedy, also same as before. Symptoms identical to those that occurred prior to the service work performed by Elmhurst Honda for the Honda Idle Stop Recall (Service Bulletin 23-009)

NHTSA ODI 11693539

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Passport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts needed for the recall repair were not yet available. The dealer advised the contact not to have a passenger seated in the front passenger’s seat due to the risk associated with the recall. The dealer recommended that the vehicle be inspected to verify if the vehicle was affected by the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and a case was opened. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11691631

The Nidec OEM part number 36160-TGS-A03-M1 has failed and causing all five of these alerts to appear as warnings: 1.Road departure mitigation problem 2.Collision Mitigation problem 3. Lane keeping assist problem. 4. Auto high beam problem. 5 Adaptive cruise control failure I don't know if the Nidec part is OEM from Honda and I believe the materials used by Nidec are creating the issue. I thought the Honda OEM part for this camera came from Bosch. The German part appears to made from aluminum, the Nidec part might be a plastic or other material. I am researching the failure rate on your part as I don’t believe there is a heat sink as part of the configuration and the part seems to be out of stock everywhere I look.

NHTSA ODI 11690896

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Passport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags). The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact to continue checking back with the dealer. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11690292

On 4-5 occasions, the auto shutoff system will shut the vehicle down at a stop light when the brake is depressed. The vehicle did not restart as normal. In order to get the vehicle to restart, the vehicle has to be turned completely off and allowed to sit for 1 minute. The battery was fully charged and less than 1 yr old. The dealer was asked and did not find any problems and could not determine a cause. As a retired couple, this is quite concerning especially when in a major city, fully stopped and unable to get the car moving. The other drivers get upset and angry, which is scary these days. I am concerned that the auto shutoff might engage in heavy interstate stop and go traffic, which could lead to a major highway crash. Interestingly, I just received a note from a law firm filing a class action suit against Honda, if repairs were made. So, clearly there is a defect in the auto shut off system which need to be addressed.

NHTSA ODI 11685379

Component Affected: Engine / Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: No Deaths: No Incident 1 •Date: January 30, 2025 •Time: ~9:45 AM •Location: Dysart Rd & E Van Buren St, Avondale, AZ •Witness: Taylor (passenger) •Speed: 0 mph (stopped at red light) •Weather: 49°F ambient temperature Description: While stopped at a red light, the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system engaged. When I attempted to accelerate as the light turned green, the engine failed to restart. The car was immobilized in the left-hand lane, hazards on, and shifted itself into Park. Multiple attempts to restart failed. After several minutes and repeated actions (cycling ignition, exiting and re-entering the vehicle), the car finally restarted. Safety Concern: The vehicle was disabled in active traffic, creating a hazardous situation for myself, my passenger, and surrounding drivers. Incident 2 •Date: August 13, 2025 •Time: ~6:37 AM •Location: Off-ramp of N Verrado Way & Papago Fwy, Buckeye, AZ •Speed: 0 mph (stopped at ramp light) •Witness: None •Weather: 86°F ambient temperature Description: While stopped on the freeway off-ramp, the AIS engaged. When I attempted to proceed, the engine failed to restart. The vehicle was stuck on the ramp with hazards on and remained inoperative for several minutes until it finally restarted. Safety Concern: The car was disabled on a freeway off-ramp during morning traffic, creating a serious risk of collision. Incident 3 •Date: August 19, 2025 •Time: ~3:04 PM •Location: 1520 N Verrado Way, Buckeye, AZ (Shell gas station parking lot) •Speed: 0 mph (shifting from Park to Reverse) •Weather: 110°F ambient temperature •Witness: None Description: After completing a quick errand, I entered the vehicle, started it normally, and attempted to back out of a parking space. When I shifted into reverse, the engine stalled due to AIS. This time, the car placd itself into Neutral rather than Park. The restart delay was shorter

NHTSA ODI 11681724

The first major issue I just started running into at about 90,000 miles is the engine auto start stop feature. I usually disable it when I drive due to the inability for the car to provide adequate start from a stop, but when I don’t, I’ve had the vehicle completely stall on me at a stoplight and won’t let me restart the vehicle for several minutes leaving me stranded and vulnerable sitting in a lane on a highway. I’ve had about a dozen instances of this issue now over the last several months. The second issue is with the adaptive, cruise control or the emergency, stopping on the vehicle where it will jam on the brakes, even though there are no cars in front of me it inaccurately picks up vehicles in the oncoming lane. There are more than 8 feet separated from my vehicle. I have had the system recalibrated and have complained about it at the dealer, but I’ve been told that there’s nothing wrong with it. Just thought I’d report that as well because it’s almost got me into several accidents by jamming on my brakes for no reason and almost being rear-ended.

NHTSA ODI 11681068

Compliance bushing cracked and coming apart which is a known common issue with Honda Passports from the 2020 timeframe. Thank you for your time!

NHTSA ODI 11680829