2019 Honda Passport: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 253 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, fuel system, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019- Owner complaints
- 253
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes reported
- 7
- 5 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Honda Passport: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Passport is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2019 Honda Passport. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 21–22 mpg |
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Passport that averages well under the EPA 21 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Audio crackle and blank displays
300–10,000 miles
No restart after idle stop
49,000–60,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Honda Passport, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical69No crashes
The engine often fails to restart after Auto Idle Stop shuts it off at a light, leaving the SUV stalled in traffic. New batteries rarely cure it. A second pattern starts early, sometimes within the first 1,000 miles: speakers crackle and pop, the screen shows "Network Communications Lost," and audio, navigation, the backup camera and even the speedometer go dark while driving. Recall software and cable fixes exist, but some owners say their VIN is not covered. A failed front camera that disables driver-assist features is also reported.
Fuel system311 crash
Most reports concern fuel system recall 23V858000 and the long wait for parts. Owners say dealers had no replacement part and the repair took far too long. Some vehicles stall while driving or at a stop during that wait, usually with no warning light. One owner says the stall came back after the recall repair. One crash report describes a sudden loss of power at 55 mph that led to a rear-end collision with a semi-truck and a chest injury.
These reports center on fuel pump recall 23V-858 and dealers that have no parts to fix it, in some cases for over a year. Meanwhile, owners describe stalling at startup and after Auto Idle Stop. Others describe a loss of power at 55 mph with a check engine light. One owner smelled gasoline fumes after a dealer visit. Separate repairs include a $1,500 forward radar sensor and a broken fuel lid.
Transmission22No crashes
The transmission can suddenly shift into neutral or stall while driving, sometimes on highways and on-ramps, with a "Transmission Problem" message and a cascade of other warnings. Some owners report the transmission failing outright, including one $7,700 out-of-warranty repair after jerky shifts at 30-35 mph. One report describes the SUV rolling backward while the display showed Park. Engine restart failures after Auto Idle Stop also appear here, and one dealer could not repair a car because ECU modules were out of stock.
Automatic emergency braking201 crash
Phantom braking is the main complaint. A red BRAKE warning flashes, the steering wheel shakes, and the SUV sometimes brakes hard with nothing ahead. Oncoming cars in the next lane and curves are common triggers. Dealers often cannot reproduce it. A second pattern is a front camera fault that lights up warnings and shuts off collision braking, adaptive cruise and lane keeping. Owners quote replacement costs of $1,800 to $2,500. One complaint ties false braking to a crash.
Engine19No crashes
The most common failure is the engine staying off after Auto Idle Stop, often in the middle of an intersection, with the transmission in neutral until the car is fully restarted. Dealers try batteries, software updates and starters, and the stalling still comes back for some owners. Separate reports describe sudden power loss on the highway with a flashing check engine light and ticking from the engine. A leaking timing belt tensioner is also reported, with a $2,000 repair quote.
Brakes15No crashes
Automatic emergency braking engages with no obstacle ahead, often at highway speeds. Drivers see a flashing BRAKE warning and a shaking wheel, then feel light or hard braking that risks a rear-end crash. Many now switch the system off, and dealers often find nothing wrong. Another pattern: after sitting overnight, the brake pedal is rock hard and too stiff to press, so the push-button start will not work. One report describes a front caliper bolt falling out.
Body and structure92 crashes
Popping and cracking noises around the windshield and A-pillars point to a body weld recall, 19V784000. One owner says the remedy was a replacement vehicle, while others report noise even when their VIN was not covered. Other complaints are scattered: white paint peeling to bare metal near the spoiler, loose trim above a headlight, and a tailgate that closes by itself. One crash report blames false automatic braking in the rain.
Airbags42 crashes
Airbags failing to deploy in crashes is the main concern, including a multi-car collision at about 20,530 miles that caused injuries. Another crash report with three injuries blames a loss of control and power on the unrepaired fuel pump recall. Other owners report an airbag system warning appearing alongside camera and driver-assist faults, and curtain and seat airbags deploying after a tire blowout from road debris.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Passport owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
With auto stop/start disabled as this feature regularly fails, stopped to turn left and car shifted itself into neutral, could not be shifted into drive or restarted for a few minutes despite multiple attempts. If car had auto stop start feature engaged, this often happens, which has been reported, but this time it happened without that feature on. Luckily we were turning from a parking lot so did not hold up traffic or have risk of being hit.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2023
3x in the last 6months my Passport has failed to start after the auto stop at idle has engaged. The dealership said the battery is fine and one technician just said “disable the feature “. Today when adaptive cruise control was engaged, the car increased in speed from the set 72 to over 80mph. I also emailed Honda corp and their response was to see a dealer and did not acknowledge if the auto stop/start issue was known for other vehicles.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2022
We were driving on and entering the highway via the on-ramp when we heard a popping noise. Upon hearing the noise the car stalled and was immediately put in neutral. We could not take it out of neutral or restart the car. We had the car towed to the nearest dealership to find out the transmission needed to be replaced. The car has 36k miles and we just purchased it 6 weeks ago. There were no warnings or signs that this failure was about to occur.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2022
With less than 1,000 miles this car had to go in multiple times for a radio electrical issue, floor harness, IP harness etc replaced. Now at 60,000 I’m getting transmission failure faults where my car will stall out and not engage. HUGE safety issue. Now I’m waiting 2 weeks to get into a dealership
Filed with NHTSA, October 2022
Upon engine start, dashboard lights appear that warn of the following safety issues detected: - Collision Mitigation Braking System - Lane Keeping Assist System - Adaptive Cruise Control - Road Departure Mitigation Diagnostic scan shows an error code of U3000-49 indicating a front camera issue. The error codes began in Spring 2025 and are disturbing making driving less secure but it is my primary vehicle
Filed with NHTSA, November 2025
The collision warning flashes and brakes are sometimes activated for no reason. Almost as if it sees a phantom vehicle. Other times this happens when there is opposing traffic in the other lane but not in my path. This was reported to Honda of Kirkland during a routine service. I was told no problem was found and no activations of the system were recorded in the car’s computer.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2022
How the 2019 compares with other Passport years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 has the most owner complaints of the 7 Passport years we cover, about 5.1 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical699
- Fuel system311
- Transmission226
- Automatic emergency braking207
- Engine193
- Brakes156
Where the 2019 fits in the Passport's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the first model year of the Passport's third generation (2019–2025). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Honda fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Honda updated the Passport for 2022, so a 2019 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2022 (not on a 2019)
- New front end design
- Introduction of TrailSport trim
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recalls to confirm (8)
Recall repairs are free at any Honda dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
23V858000Fuel systemDec 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
23V431000Backup cameraJun 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
21V932000Body and structureNov 2021
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
Risk: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
21V215000Fuel systemMar 2021
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
21V165000Wheels and tiresMar 2021
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Risk: Overcured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation, which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2021. Owners may contact American Honda Motor Co. customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UA2.
20V439000Backup cameraJul 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors.".
Risk: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.
20V440000ElectricalJul 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors.".
Risk: A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Y7Y.
19V784000Body and structureOct 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Pilot and 2019 Passport vehicles. The front frame left and right side upper members may not have been welded completely to the unibody. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 219, "Windshield Zone Intrusion.".
Risk: In the event of a crash, incomplete body welding may provide inadequate protection to occupants, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing welds, free of charge. If the vehicle is identified as missing welds, the dealer will offer to repurchase the vehicle or provide a similar replacement vehicle. Owner notification began November 6 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X6J.
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2019 owner complaints, side by side
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