Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Honda Passport engine problems
moderate 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Honda Passport we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 21.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service Bulletin - MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more common in regions with cold weather (specifically near or below freezing temperatures). Usually after a long drive (around 2 hours) and accelerating while cornering.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more common in regions with cold weather (specifically near or below freezing temperatures). Usually after a long drive (around 2 hours) and accelerating while cornering. Moisture accumulation in the intake manifold during long drives gets drawn into the combustion chamber while cornering, causing misfires.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441 (Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Purge Flow Malfunction).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint across these 21 narratives is the auto idle-stop system failing to restart the engine when the brake is released at traffic lights. Owners describe being stranded in intersections on green lights, with transmission shifting to neutral involuntarily and dash messages demanding they shift to park or press the start button. This happens intermittently—sometimes every month, sometimes several times in recent months—and dealerships consistently cannot reproduce it. One owner reported the problem recurring over 65 months of ownership despite multiple service visits and a Honda software update. Dealers told some owners to disable the feature manually, though it re-enables at each startup.
A handful of owners report catastrophic engine failures: one documented crank bearing failure on the highway at 65,000 miles (after a passing inspection the prior week), another ticking noise at low RPM resembling issues on recalled Honda Pilots, and a timing belt tensioner leak at just 31,000 miles with a $2,000 repair quote. One owner experienced temporary but severe power loss on the highway with no stored diagnostic codes; the dealership could not find the cause. A separate incident involved the transmission shifting to neutral while driving at 45 mph and again at stop lights, with the crash mitigation warning light activating. Several owners report the auto stop-stop system triggering brake lock-ups or transmission warnings when attempting restart. Most service visits yield "no codes found" or "dealer unable to reproduce," leaving owners unrepaired.
Same Honda Passport engine reports on nearby years: 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Auto Idle Stop / Start System Restart Failure
Engine shuts down via auto idle-stop at traffic lights or stops but fails to restart when brake pedal is released. Vehicle shifts to neutral involuntarily, leaving driver stranded. Occurs intermittently and has been reported at least monthly to once per trip over multiple years.
When: Throughout ownership; one owner reported occurrence at least 1x/month for 65 months. Another reported 2 months between dealership visit and reoccurrence; another reported 2 times in recent months after earlier repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine does not restart when brake released after idle-stop engagement; Transmission shifts to neutral automatically; Dash messages appear: 'shift to park to start vehicle' or instructions to depress brake and press start button; Vehicle stranded in traffic, sometimes in intersections during green light; Intermittent—does not occur on every idle-stop cycle; May require 3–5 minutes or longer before restart succeeds; Some instances required opening driver-side door before restart commands worked
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple owners reported dealerships unable to reproduce issue during inspection. Honda dealership service advisors acknowledged the problem as known. One owner reports: estimate ~$850 (parts $501.74). Another had battery replaced ($400) after dealer diagnosis, but battery tested normal (651 CCA, rated 650). Another was told starter replacement needed (~$900) but owner declined pending further diagnosis. One owner reports Honda issued a software update that failed to resolve the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One recall for idle-stop software update confirmed by owner—did not resolve issue. Dealers instructed owners to disable auto idle-stop feature using on/off button, though feature re-enables at each vehicle start. No TSB or formal recall campaign mentioned beyond the failed software update.
Temporary Power Loss / Engine Stumble During Acceleration
Engine momentarily loses power during highway acceleration, lasting 3–5 seconds, or in one severe case loses power entirely and cannot exceed 26 mph even at full throttle. Accompanied by flashing check engine light in some instances, though diagnostic scan found no stored codes.
When: Highway driving; one event reported in January 2025. Owner reports three incidents total, with the third being most severe.
Symptoms owners cite: Momentary loss of engine power during acceleration on highway; Flashing check engine light (not always present); Severe power loss lasting hours—vehicle unable to exceed 26 mph at full throttle; Power loss described as temporary, sometimes resolving on restart; Power returns within 3–5 seconds in some instances; in one case required vehicle restart after 30-minute break
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostic found no stored codes. Service advisor acknowledged hearing of similar issues multiple times. Owner reports estimate of ~$850 for repair (parts $501.74).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented. Owner researched online and found references to similar issues on Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline forums dating to 2019 model year, suggesting Honda is aware but no formal recall or TSB mentioned.
Engine Mechanical Failure / Bearing Breakdown
Catastrophic internal engine failure with second-cylinder crank bearing failure. Engine began ticking, check engine light flashed, and vehicle experienced rapid uncontrolled deceleration on highway. Dealership determined engine was non-repairable.
When: October 16, 2025, on I-94 freeway at 70 mph, after 65,000+ miles. Vehicle had routine oil change and passing inspection one week prior (October 10, 2025).
Symptoms owners cite: Ticking sound from engine; Flashing check engine light; Rapid uncontrolled speed decrease on highway; Sudden acceleration/deceleration in traffic; Symptoms resolved temporarily after ticking stopped, but engine ultimately failed
Repairs/costs cited: Zeigler Honda (Racine, WI) determined second-cylinder crank bearing had failed and engine was not repairable. All required Honda maintenance performed; oil change and inspection completed one week prior with passing result.
Engine Ticking / Knocking Noise
Abnormal ticking or knocking noise from engine, sometimes accompanied by rising engine temperature. Owner reports noise at low RPM (1–2 rpm) and suspects alignment with known engine issues on Pilots and other Honda models subject to recall.
When: At 65,000 miles; another report at 49,092 miles with temperature gauge rise.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud ticking or hard knocking from engine, particularly at low RPM; Engine temperature gauge rising (one case); Noise not present at normal RPM range; No warning lights illuminated (in temperature rise case)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership inspected for one week and stated ticking is normal; owner disputes this. Another local dealer left vehicle for investigation into possible internal engine failure but vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner suspects Honda is aware of engine issues on similar models (Pilots, etc.) and is reluctant to address under warranty.
Timing Belt Tensioner Leak
Timing belt tensioner began leaking oil at only 31,000 miles. Honda dealership denied warranty coverage for repair. Dealer quote for full timing belt package replacement: $2,000.
When: 31,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak from timing belt tensioner
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quote for 6-cylinder timing belt package replacement: $2,000. Owner notes vehicle no longer drivable pending repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda denied warranty coverage. Owner references recall of 94,000 cards (likely 'units' or vehicles) for this same issue on other Honda models.
Auto Stop / Start System with Transmission / Brake Lock Issues
When auto stop-stop feature engages and engine shuts off, pressing the auto stop-stop button to restart engine causes brake to lock up and transmission-related warning message appears on dash ('Transmission System Problem' or system warning with exclamation point). Brake remains locked for approximately 5 minutes before releasing.
When: Intermittent; one documented incident at traffic light after exiting interstate.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shutdown via auto stop-start; Brake locks upon pressing auto stop-stop button; Dash warning messages appear ('Transmission System Problem' or system warning); Engine will not restart while brakes are locked; Brake lock lasts approximately 5 minutes; Braking system malfunction during stop-and-go traffic; Similar issue when using remote start—shifting to drive triggers 'Transmission System Problem' warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership inspected but found nothing wrong.
Transmission Neutral Shift During Driving and at Stop
Vehicle transmission independently shifts into neutral during normal driving—both while stopped at traffic lights and while braking at 45 mph. Crash mitigation warning light illuminates. Vehicle must be restarted using park-to-drive cycle.
When: Multiple occasions; failure mileage ~47,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts to neutral involuntarily while stopped at light; Transmission shifts to neutral while braking at 45 mph; Loss of motive power; Crash mitigation warning light illuminates; Vehicle must be shifted to park and restarted to regain drive capability; Automatic transmission malfunction unrelated to driver input
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership mechanic unable to duplicate the failure. Vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not made aware of failure.
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2019 Honda Passport?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2019 Honda Passport?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 21 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 21 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 52,031 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Honda/Passport.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.