Head-to-head reliability
Honda Accord vs Honda Passport
How the Honda Accord and Honda Passport compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Honda Accord vs Honda Passport: The Accord has 3929 complaints over 10 years (avg 393/yr) with 35 recalls, while the Passport has 859 complaints (avg 86/yr) with 43 recalls. Both face issues with forward collision avoidance and electrical systems, but the Accord's engine problems are more prevalent. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Accord or Honda Passport more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a popular midsize sedan, shows a high volume of owner complaints, averaging nearly 400 per year over the past decade. The most frequent issues involve the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with owners reporting noises, loss of power, and phantom braking. While not all complaints lead to crashes, the sheer number suggests that buyers should expect some reliability concerns, particularly with advanced systems.
Honda Passport
The Honda Passport, a midsize SUV, has fewer complaints per year (about 86) but still shows notable patterns. Electrical system and forward collision avoidance issues dominate, with owners frequently reporting problems with the auto stop/start system and phantom braking. Engine complaints also appear, often related to the same stop/start system. Overall, the Passport seems to have a lower complaint rate but shares some similar electronic gremlins with the Accord.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Accord | Honda Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,929 | 859 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 35 Better | 43 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 130 | 43 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 392.9 | 85.9 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 123 | 29 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 0 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE902
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM759
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE756
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER625
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM547
Owners report unusual noises and sudden loss of power, sometimes accompanied by warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS. This can lead to dangerous situations on the highway.
Problems include rodent damage to wiring harnesses and infotainment screens going black and unresponsive, requiring a restart. These issues can be costly and frustrating.
The system may cause unexpected braking or fail to prevent a crash, as seen in a complaint about a 2025 Accord Hybrid losing drive power before a collision. This can undermine driver confidence.
“I purchased this vehicle at 0 miles in July 2025 from Honda Accord in Pensacola Florida. I reported in July 2025 that there was a noise and I was unhappy with the vehicle and would like to exchange the vehicle within the 30 days months later, the noise got lo…”
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
Honda Passport
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM172
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE168
- 03ENGINE118
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER117
- 05SERVICE BRAKES95
The auto stop/start system often fails to restart the engine smoothly, with sluggish restarts and occasional shutdowns while accelerating. This can be a safety hazard in traffic.
Phantom braking occurs randomly, even with no obstacles, causing the vehicle to brake hard and shake the steering wheel. This is especially concerning on highways and winding roads.
Engine issues are often tied to the auto stop/start feature, with hesitation and rough restarts. Owners also report a blacked-out upper windshield at night, impairing visibility.
“For several months before the failure, the Auto Idle Stop (engine stop-start) system became progressively slower to restart the engine after stopping. Each restart sounded sluggish, as though the starter was dragging, and the vehicle would remain stopped for…”
“The contact owns a 2025 Honda Passport. The contact stated that on several occasions, the Auto START/STOP intermittently failed to operate and the vehicle shut off while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that a battery warning light was dis…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Honda Accord — 35 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Accord and HR-V vehicles. The front seat belt pretensioners may be missing the rivet that secures the quick connector and wire plate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard…
The risk: A seat belt pretensioner missing a rivet will not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt pretensioner assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for t…
The defect: 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,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 expansi…
Honda Passport — 43 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Passport and 2023-2025 Pilot vehicles. The fuel filler neck tube and fuel filler pipe may separate, allowing fuel to leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the fuel filler neck tube and pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this r…
The defect: 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…
The 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.
The 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 1-888-234-21…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, w…
The risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall ar…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Passport and Ridgeline vehicles. The inner ball joint housing in the steering gearbox assembly may loosen and detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
The risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gearbox as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is LHY.
Buyer analysis
Honda Accord or Honda Passport: which should you buy?
The Honda Passport has fewer complaints per year (86 vs 393), suggesting a lower rate of reported issues. However, both vehicles share similar electronic and driver-assistance problems, so the difference may be more about volume than severity. In practice, the Passport might offer a slightly more trouble-free ownership experience, but neither is immune to issues.
Key differences
- The Accord has a much higher complaint volume (3929 vs 859) and more engine-related complaints (902 vs 118).
- The Passport's top issue is electrical (172) and forward collision avoidance (168), while the Accord's top is engine (902).
- Both have phantom braking issues, but the Passport also has auto stop/start failures that can cause the vehicle to shut off.
- The Accord has more crash-related complaints (130 vs 43) and injuries (123 vs 29), but also more deaths (3 vs 0).
- Inspect the engine for unusual noises and check for any warning lights related to power loss.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system in a safe area to ensure it doesn't brake unexpectedly.
- Check the auto stop/start system for smooth restarts and ensure the battery is in good condition.
- Test the forward collision avoidance on a road with curves and hills to see if phantom braking occurs.
Before you buy
- Review the vehicle's recall history and ensure all open recalls are addressed.
- Have a mechanic inspect the wiring harnesses for rodent damage or wear.
- Test the infotainment system for black screen issues and ensure it responds to inputs.
- Drive at highway speeds and on winding roads to evaluate the forward collision avoidance system.
- Check the auto stop/start function in stop-and-go traffic to see if it restarts reliably.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Honda Accord | Honda Passport |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 49 |
| 2025 | 97 | 28 |
| 2024 | 0 | 15 |
| 2023 | 221 | 35 |
| 2022 | 218 | 56 |
| 2021 | 217 | 132 |
| 2020 | 344 | 92 |
| 2019 | 500 | 271 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Honda Accord or Honda Passport in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Accord vs Honda Passport
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 3,929
- Honda Passport total complaints
- 859
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 35
- Honda Passport total recalls
- 43
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 392.9
- Honda Passport avg complaints/year
- 85.9
- More reliable overall
- Honda Passport
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Passport top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM