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2026 Honda Passport: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2026 Honda Passport has one recall, for rear subframe bolts that may not be tight, and dealers check and fix it free[1]. Owners have filed 69 complaints with NHTSA[2], and the named component groups with the most reports are the electrical system, seats, forward collision avoidance and steering[3][4][5][6].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 69 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Passport[2]. None of them report a crash, a fire, an injury or a death[2]. These are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified, and one complaint can name more than one part.
| Component group | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown or other[10] | 17 |
| Electrical system[3] | 14 |
| Seats[4] | 10 |
| Forward collision avoidance[5] | 9 |
| Steering[6] | 8 |
| Visibility/wiper[11] | 7 |
| Engine[12] | 6 |
| Brakes[13] | 5 |
We read a small sample of complaint texts for the top named groups. Here is what owners describe. These counts are from our sample only, not from all owners.
- Electrical system. In 5 of 12 texts we read, owners describe a sudden burst of dashboard warnings at once, covering steering, brakes, stability and collision systems[3]. Some say the lights cleared and came back, and that the dealer found no stored codes. In 4 of 12, owners describe the SUV shutting off or losing drive power while moving or shifting[3]. In 3 of 12, owners describe infotainment, navigation or phone problems, and some say they came back after dealer visits[3].
- Seats. In 9 of 10 texts we read, owners describe front seat discomfort or pain, often a hard spot under the back of the cushion that presses on the tailbone[4]. Several of them link it to the ventilated seat hardware.
- Forward collision avoidance. In 6 of the 9 different texts we read, owners describe the car braking hard on its own with nothing ahead, in clear weather and in rain[5]. Some worried about being hit from behind.
- Steering. In 4 of 8 texts we read, owners describe a clicking or loose spring noise from the steering wheel when turning[6]. They say it came back after the clock spring or the steering wheel was replaced.
The largest group, unknown or other, has 17 complaints[10]. We did not read texts for it, so we cannot say what those owners report.
Recalls
There is one recall for the 2026 Passport in our data[1].
- Rear subframe bolts (26V424). Filed July 1, 2026, this recall covers certain 2026 Pilot and Passport models, with 3,933 vehicles possibly affected[1]. The bolts that hold the rear subframe may not have been tightened correctly. If they work loose, the SUV can become unstable or the rear subframe can come off, which raises the risk of a crash[1]. Dealers will inspect the bolts and replace them if needed, at no cost[1]. Honda mailed letters to owners on August 24, 2026, and its customer service line is 1-888-234-2138[1].
If you own or are buying a 2026 Passport, run the VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a Honda dealer whether this work has been done[1].
Fuel economy
Both EPA-rated versions use a 3.5L 6-cylinder with an Automatic (S10), all-wheel drive and regular fuel[8][14].
| Version | City | Highway | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport AWD[8] | 19 MPG | 25 MPG | 21 MPG | $3,200 |
| Passport AWD Trailsport[14] | 18 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | $3,350 |
The Trailsport costs about $150 more a year to fuel by EPA's estimate[8][14]. The yearly cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not what gas cost when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA rates the 2026 Passport SUV AWD at 5 stars overall[9]. It gets 4 stars in the frontal crash test, 5 stars in the side test and 4 stars for rollover[9]. NHTSA puts its rollover risk at 16.4%[9].
Engine and size
The EPA test car list shows the 3.5L 6-cylinder rated at 285 hp[15].
The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications, converted from metric, and US models can differ slightly[16][17].
How 2026 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 60 | 1 |
| 1996 | 41 | 0 |
| 1997 | 56 | 0 |
| 1998 | 229 | 5 |
| 1999 | 228 | 2 |
| 2000 | 102 | 1 |
| 2001 | 134 | 3 |
| 2002 | 23 | 2 |
| 2019 | 282 | 10 |
| 2020 | 104 | 10 |
| 2021 | 144 | 7 |
| 2022 | 63 | 4 |
| 2023 | 40 | 5 |
| 2024 | 19 | 1 |
| 2025 | 47 | 0 |
| 2026 | 69 | 1 |
NHTSA lists 69 complaints and 1 recall for the 2026 Passport[7]. Here is how that stacks up against the other recent years.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019[7] | 282 | 10 |
| 2020[7] | 104 | 10 |
| 2021[7] | 144 | 7 |
| 2022[7] | 63 | 4 |
| 2023[7] | 40 | 5 |
| 2024[7] | 19 | 1 |
| 2025[7] | 47 | 0 |
| 2026[7] | 69 | 1 |
The 2026 model has more complaints than 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025, but far fewer than 2019, 2020 or 2021[7]. Its single recall is fewer than any year from 2019 to 2023, while 2025 has none[7]. Across all 16 Passport years NHTSA lists, going back to 1995, seven years have more complaints than 2026 and eight have fewer[7]. These totals are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold.
Should you buy a used 2026 Passport?
The 2026 Passport has a 5-star overall safety rating and just one recall, which has a free dealer fix[9][1]. Its 69 complaints put it in the middle of the Passport's own history, with no crashes, fires or injuries reported[7][2]. Owner reports do point to areas worth checking, such as electrical warnings, seat comfort, automatic braking and steering wheel clicking[3][4][5][6]. Before you buy, confirm the subframe bolt recall is done and take a long test drive to see how the seat feels to you[1][4]. Remember that complaints are unverified owner reports, the totals are not adjusted for sales, and the themes above come from a small sample of complaint texts.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the common problems with the 2026 Honda Passport?
- The named complaint groups with the most reports are electrical system (14), seats (10), forward collision avoidance (9) and steering (8)[3][4][5][6]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe sudden warning lights, seat pressure on the tailbone, braking with nothing ahead and a clicking steering wheel[3][4][5][6].
- Is the 2026 Honda Passport recalled?
- Yes, once. Recall 26V424 covers rear subframe bolts that may be loose, and dealers inspect and replace them free[1].
- What MPG does the 2026 Honda Passport get?
- The Passport AWD is rated 21 MPG combined and the Passport AWD Trailsport 20 MPG combined[8][14].
- Is the 2026 Honda Passport a safe SUV?
- NHTSA gives the SUV AWD 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover[9].
Facts and sources
- Recall 26V424, filed July 1, 2026: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
- NHTSA has 69 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Honda Passport (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Passport model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Passport AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S10), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 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
- 17 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Passport AWD Trailsport, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S10), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2026 Honda Passport with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 285 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PASSPORT RTL 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 80 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,486 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PASSPORT TRAILSPORT 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 80 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,685 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov