CarBrief

NHTSA has 40 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Honda Passport[1]. The car also has 5 recalls, including one for rear subframe corrosion whose final repair was still pending when the recall was filed[2][3][4][5][6].

40owner complaints[1]
5recalls[7]
21MPG combined (EPA)[8]
5★NHTSA overall rating[9]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 40 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Three mention a crash[1]. Seven injuries are reported, with no fires or deaths[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

The biggest groups by count are:

In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe the automatic emergency braking system applying the brakes when nothing is in the road. Some say it shakes the steering wheel, and some say the dealer could not find a fault[10]. A couple of owners also describe the lane keeping system pulling the car sideways[10].

In the brake complaints we read, owners describe shaking or warped front rotors. A few describe a front caliper bolt that was missing or had come loose[11]. Several of the brake complaints also mention the automatic braking system[11].

Power train complaints in our sample describe hesitation and unpredictable shifting when accelerating[14]. Engine complaints are mixed, from a warning light to a knocking noise[15]. With only 5 complaints in each of these groups, we cannot call either a common problem[14][15].

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls that apply to the 2023 Passport, newest first.

Honda's customer service line for these recalls is 1-888-234-2138[2].

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the Passport AWD with the 3.5L 6-cylinder and Automatic (S9) at 19 city, 24 highway and 21 combined MPG[8]. It uses regular fuel[8]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,200[8], based on its current fuel price assumptions rather than prices when the car was new[8].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the AWD version 5 stars overall[9], 4 stars in the frontal test[9], 5 stars in the side test[9] and 4 stars for rollover[9]. Its rollover risk is 16.4%[9]. The FWD version has the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 17.5%[18].

Engine and size

The 3.5L 6-cylinder engine is rated at 280 hp in the EPA test car list[19]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[20].

Measure Value
Length[20] 190 in
Width[20] 79 in
Height[20] 72 in
Wheelbase[20] 111 in
Curb weight[20] 4,167 lb

How 2023 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 recalls20212022: 63 complaints, 4 recalls2023: 40 complaints, 5 recalls4020232024: 19 complaints, 1 recalls2025: 47 complaints, 0 recalls20252026: 69 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Passport model year. The 2023 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1995601
1996410
1997560
19982295
19992282
20001021
20011343
2002232
201928210
202010410
20211447
2022634
2023405
2024191
2025470
2026691

Here are NHTSA complaint and recall counts for recent Passport model years[7]:

Year Complaints Recalls
2019 282 10
2020 104 10
2021 144 7
2022 63 4
2023 40 5
2024 19 1
2025 47 0
2026 69 1

The 2023 model has fewer complaints than 2019 through 2022, 2025 and 2026, and more than 2024. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide only[7].

Should you buy a used 2023 Passport?

The 2023 Passport has a modest complaint count compared with other recent years[1][7]. It also has 5 recalls, so confirm with a dealer, using the VIN, that each repair has been done[2][3][4][5][6]. Pay special attention to the rear subframe recall, because its final remedy was still pending when filed[2]. Test drive it and watch for unexpected braking and for shifting hesitation, which owners describe in the complaint samples we read[10][14]. The 5-star overall safety rating is a point in its favor[9].

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2023 Honda Passport?
NHTSA lists 40 complaints[1]. The largest groups are forward collision avoidance with 12 and brakes with 10[10][11]. In the complaints we read, owners describe unexpected automatic braking[10].
Does the 2023 Honda Passport have recalls?
Yes, 5 recalls cover rear subframe corrosion, the fuel filler pipe, the steering gearbox, the brake master cylinder and the rearview camera[2][3][4][5][6].
What is the gas mileage of the 2023 Honda Passport?
The EPA rates the AWD version at 19 city, 24 highway and 21 combined MPG[8].
How safe is the 2023 Honda Passport?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall for both AWD and FWD[9][18].
Is 2023 a good year for the Honda Passport?
It has 40 complaints, fewer than 2019 through 2022, 2025 and 2026, and more than 2024[7]. Counts are not adjusted for sales[7].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 40 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Honda Passport (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 26V365, filed June 4, 2026: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 24V900, filed November 27, 2024: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe And Cap. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 24V184, filed March 7, 2024: Steering › Rack And Pinion. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 23V458, filed June 29, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 23V431, filed June 15, 2023: Back Over Prevention › Display Function. NHTSA recall database
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Passport model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. 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
  9. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 12 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 10 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 5 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 5 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 4 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 4 complaints name the lane departure component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2023 Honda Passport with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 280 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PASSPORT 4DR SUV: length 190 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.