Head-to-head reliability
Honda Pilot vs Honda Passport
How the Honda Pilot 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 Pilot vs Honda Passport: The Pilot has 3,678 complaints and 66 recalls over 10 years, while the Passport has 282 complaints and 2 recalls. Pilot owners report engine fires and electrical failures; Passport owners face phantom braking and camera issues. The Passport is less problematic per year. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Pilot or Honda Passport more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot, with over 3,600 complaints in a decade, shows a pattern of serious engine and electrical issues that can affect daily driving. Owners report engine fires, sudden power steering loss, and a cascade of warning lights, suggesting potential safety concerns. The high number of recalls (66) indicates ongoing efforts to address these problems, but the frequency of complaints suggests buyers should be cautious.
Honda Passport
The Honda Passport has far fewer complaints (282 over 10 years), but its issues are concentrated in the forward collision avoidance and electrical systems. Owners report phantom braking and camera failures that disable safety features, as well as auto idle stop problems. While less frequent, these issues can be alarming and may require costly repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Pilot | Honda Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,678 | 282 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 66 | 2 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 75 | 12 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 367.8 | 28.2 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 68 | 5 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 Pilot
- 01ENGINE1,103
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,036
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER632
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE443
- 05POWER TRAIN403
Owners report engine fires, fuel system recalls, and auto idle stop malfunctions. One complaint describes an engine fire after an open recall, and another mentions a flashing idle stop light causing hesitation at red lights.
Sudden loss of power steering and multiple warning lights (brake, steering, cruise control) are common. One owner experienced a complete shutdown of assist systems while driving on a highway.
Phantom braking events, where the system slams on brakes due to shadows or false detections, are reported. This can be startling and increase the risk of rear-end collisions.
“recall has been open since December of that year I have documentation that I took it last year to get this recall fix and your web site is stating that it is incomplete. today 11/12 at 7:30am my engine caught on fire there was a lot of witness at the elementa…”
“My vehicle has already had recalls on the fuel system and brake pin. Now I have an auto idle stop system problem. The indicator light is constantly flashing. Two days ago I was stopped at a red light on a two lane road in the city. When I pushed in the brake…”
Honda Passport
- 01FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE92
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM62
- 03ENGINE49
- 04SERVICE BRAKES39
- 05POWER TRAIN35
The camera system can fail, disabling ACC and LKAS, and causing sudden unintended acceleration in parking lots. One owner crashed into a concrete pillar when the car lurched forward.
Auto idle stop may shut the engine down and fail to restart, leaving the driver stranded. Cold weather can cause the camera to short out, disabling safety systems.
Catastrophic engine failure, such as a broken connecting rod exiting the block, has been reported. This is a rare but severe issue that requires engine replacement.
“On Nov 9, 2024 I was pulling into a parking spot in a public parking garage, after turning 2 tight corners to approach the parking spot. About half way into the parking spot, the car suddenly lurched and accelerated and I crashed into a 90 degree concrete cor…”
“The front multipurpose camera system failed, triggering multiple safety warning lights simultaneously, including ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), LKAS (Lane Keeping Assist System), and related camera-dependent safety systems, along with a "Multipurpose Camera U…”
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 Pilot — 66 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.
The risk: Loose rear subframe bolts can lead to a loss of vehicle stability or rear subframe detachment, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Pilot vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the gear box assembly may contain a loose ball bearing, which can result in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up.
The risk: A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FFX.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured se…
The risk: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
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…
Honda Passport — 2 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.
The risk: Loose rear subframe bolts can lead to a loss of vehicle stability or rear subframe detachment, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for…
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…
Buyer analysis
Honda Pilot or Honda Passport: which should you buy?
The Honda Passport has significantly fewer complaints per year (28.2 vs 367.8) and fewer recalls, indicating a more reliable ownership experience. While both have safety-related issues, the Pilot's higher frequency and severity of engine and electrical problems make the Passport a more prudent choice for most buyers.
Key differences
- The Pilot has 13 times more complaints per year than the Passport, with engine and electrical issues dominating.
- The Passport's main problems are concentrated in the forward collision avoidance system, causing phantom braking and camera failures.
- The Pilot has 66 recalls versus 2 for the Passport, indicating more widespread manufacturing issues.
- Both vehicles share rear suspension and fuel tank recalls, but the Pilot also has steering and seat fastener recalls.
- Check for any open recalls, especially fuel system and steering, and verify they were completed.
- Inspect the engine bay for signs of fire damage or fuel leaks, and test the auto idle stop system for proper restart.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system in a safe area to ensure it doesn't phantom brake or accelerate unexpectedly.
- Check the camera for moisture or damage, especially if you live in cold climates, as it can fail and disable safety features.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and verify all recalls are completed.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and electrical systems, especially for the Pilot.
- Test drive both vehicles and simulate stop-and-go traffic to check auto idle stop behavior.
- Ask about any warranty extensions or pending lawsuits related to the forward collision system.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls before purchase.
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 Pilot | Honda Passport |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 0 |
| 2025 | 178 | 0 |
| 2024 | 107 | 0 |
| 2023 | 131 | 0 |
| 2022 | 140 | 56 |
| 2021 | 417 | 133 |
| 2020 | 476 | 93 |
| 2019 | 877 | 0 |
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 Pilot or Honda Passport in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Pilot vs Honda Passport
- Honda Pilot total complaints
- 3,678
- Honda Passport total complaints
- 282
- Honda Pilot total recalls
- 66
- Honda Passport total recalls
- 2
- Honda Pilot avg complaints/year
- 367.8
- Honda Passport avg complaints/year
- 28.2
- More reliable overall
- Honda Passport
- Honda Pilot top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Passport top complaint area
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE