CarBrief

NHTSA has 144 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Honda Passport[1]. One recall, for rear subframe corrosion, was still waiting for its final remedy in the data we used[2].

144owner complaints[1]
7recalls[3]
21–22MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 144 complaints for this model year[1]. Ten mention a crash, three mention an injury, and none mention a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners. A single complaint can name more than one part of the car, so the group counts below add up to more than the total.

We read a small sample of complaint texts for the four biggest groups. Here is what owners describe.

Forward collision avoidance. In a small sample of complaints we read, 5 describe the automatic emergency braking system applying the brakes with no apparent threat ahead[6]. Some owners say a dealer found nothing wrong.

Power train. In a sample of 12 complaints, 7 describe the transmission shifting into neutral or changing gears on its own, often with a transmission warning message on the dash[9]. Two others describe a grinding or rumbling noise on an upshift after an optional transmission cooler was added[9].

Engine. In a sample of 12 complaints, 3 describe the engine not restarting after the automatic stop at a light or stop sign[7]. Two describe a knocking noise from the engine[7].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 complaints, 4 describe the instrument panel or screen going blank or the car losing power while driving, and 3 describe crackling or cutting out of the audio system[8].

The brakes group has 22 complaints[10]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show what owners reported and not how likely a problem is.

Recalls

NHTSA has 7 recalls on file for the 2021 Passport[3]. Newest first:

NHTSA says VINs for the 2026 recalls become searchable on NHTSA.gov[2][14].

Fuel economy

EPA rates both versions on regular gas with a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine and an automatic (S9) transmission[4][20].

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
Front-wheel drive 20 MPG 25 MPG 22 MPG $3,050
All-wheel drive 19 MPG 24 MPG 21 MPG $3,200

Front-wheel drive figures are from[4] and all-wheel drive figures from[20]. EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel drive Passport 5 stars overall, 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover, with a rollover risk of 17.4%[5]. The front-wheel drive version has the same star ratings and a rollover risk of 16.9%[21].

Engine and size

The EPA Test Car List shows a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine rated 280 hp[22]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications, so they can differ slightly from US models[23].

Measure Value
Length 191 in
Width 79 in
Height 72 in
Wheelbase 111 in
Curb weight 4,167 lb

Figures are from[23], converted from centimeters and kilograms.

How 2021 compares with other years

1995: 60 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 41 complaints, 0 recalls1997: 56 complaints, 0 recalls19971998: 229 complaints, 5 recalls1999: 228 complaints, 2 recalls19992000: 102 complaints, 1 recalls2001: 134 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 23 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 282 complaints, 10 recalls20192020: 104 complaints, 10 recalls2021: 144 complaints, 7 recalls14420212022: 63 complaints, 4 recalls2023: 40 complaints, 5 recalls20232024: 19 complaints, 1 recalls2025: 47 complaints, 0 recalls20252026: 69 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Passport model year. The 2021 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1995601
1996410
1997560
19982295
19992282
20001021
20011343
2002232
201928210
202010410
20211447
2022634
2023405
2024191
2025470
2026691

Here are the counts NHTSA has on file for nearby model years[3].

Model year Complaints Recalls
2019[3] 282 10
2020[3] 104 10
2021[3] 144 7
2022[3] 63 4
2023[3] 40 5

The 2021 model year has fewer recalls than 2019 and 2020 and more than 2022 and 2023. Its 144 complaints are fewer than 2019 and more than 2020, 2022 and 2023[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales.

Should you buy a used 2021 Passport?

The data does not point to one clear defect, but it shows a few things to check. Make sure the recalls that already have a remedy have been done. For the rear subframe recall, ask a dealer about status, because its final remedy was still pending in our data[2]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe unexpected automatic braking, unexpected shifting and engine restart problems[6][7][9]. Test drive the car for these, and ask for service records. NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall[5][21], and EPA rates it at 21 to 22 MPG combined[4][20]. Complaints are unverified reports, so use them as a checklist and not as a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Passport?
The largest complaint group on file is forward collision avoidance with 52 complaints, followed by engine with 29 and electrical system with 27[6][7][8]. These are unverified owner reports.
Does the 2021 Honda Passport have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 7 recalls on file for this model year[3]. The rear subframe recall 26V365 had no final remedy yet and the final remedy was anticipated in the fall of 2026[2].
How many MPG does the 2021 Honda Passport get?
EPA rates the front-wheel drive version at 22 MPG combined[4] and the all-wheel drive version at 21 MPG combined[20].
How safe is the 2021 Honda Passport?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall in both all-wheel and front-wheel drive versions[5][21].
Is 2021 a good year for the Honda Passport?
It has 144 complaints and 7 recalls. That is fewer complaints than 2019 (282) and more than 2020 (104), 2022 (63) and 2023 (40)[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 144 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Honda Passport (10 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 26V365, filed June 4, 2026: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Passport model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Passport FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 52 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 29 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 27 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 23 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 22 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 10 complaints name the lane departure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 7 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 12 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 26V332, filed May 21, 2026: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 24V064, filed February 1, 2024: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 23V858, filed December 18, 2023: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 23V458, filed June 29, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 23V431, filed June 15, 2023: Back Over Prevention › Display Function. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 23V174, filed March 16, 2023: Visibility › Rearview Mirrors / Devices › Exterior. NHTSA recall database
  20. EPA rating for Passport AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2021 Honda Passport with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 280 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PASSPORT 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 79 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,167 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.