Service Bulletin - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Honda Passport powertrain problems
moderate 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Honda Passport we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 23.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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 - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration, or the MIL comes on with DTC P0716.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2019 Passport powertrain complaints center on three dangerous failure patterns. First, the auto idle-stop system sometimes fails to restart the engine after bringing the car to a stop, leaving drivers stranded in traffic with no warning. Owners report this at traffic lights and intersections during rush hour, with engines not restarting for minutes or requiring manual troubleshooting. Second, the transmission unpredictably shifts into neutral while driving at various speeds—from 20 mph residential streets to 70 mph highway—with no prior warning lights. When this happens, drivers lose power and sometimes cannot shift back into gear; restarting is required. The ZF 9-speed transmission itself shows jerking in 4th–5th gear around 30–35 mph and in one case suffered catastrophic failure (shattered teeth, seized transmission) at 5,000 miles past warranty for a $7,700 repair. Third, multiple electrical/communication faults occur simultaneously: transmission control module failures (Code P0810), infotainment blackouts, backup camera failures, and dashboard error cascades involving emissions, engine, blind-spot monitoring, and battery warnings. One owner had the transmission control module replaced; another had ATF overfill diagnosed. Some dealers cannot retrieve codes despite confirmed failures. Owners report multiple failed repair attempts and manufacturer reluctance to address root causes, with one case involving a suggested $6,000 engine harness replacement only if the problem recurs.
Same Honda Passport powertrain reports on nearby years: 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Auto idle-stop restart failure
Engine fails to restart after auto idle-stop feature shuts the engine off at traffic stops. Vehicle becomes stranded in travel lane with no prior warning.
When: At traffic lights and intersections; one case at ~50,100 miles; one case with less than 1,000 miles involving engine stalling at 70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Engine does not restart when brake is released after auto idle-stop engages; Vehicle stranded in traffic lane; Start button press unresponsive; No warning lights prior to failure; Vehicle shows neutral on indicator; Low battery conditions present in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement attempted in at least one case; one case resolved by draining and refilling ATF to proper level after overfill diagnosis; one case involved battery terminal removal and reapplication as temporary fix
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda corporate advised waiting for recurrence before taking action; case numbers provided but no follow-up; dealer-level diagnostics often inconclusive
Transmission unintended neutral shift while driving
Transmission shifts from drive to neutral without driver input while vehicle is in motion at various speeds. Engine stalls, power is lost, and vehicle cannot be shifted back into gear immediately.
When: Incidents reported at 20 mph residential streets, 70 mph highways, on-ramps; multiple occurrences reported per vehicle (4–8+ times per owner in some cases); one case at ~10,000 miles; one case at 36,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts to neutral unexpectedly; Engine stalls; Complete loss of power/acceleration; Loud grinding or lurching sensation; Vehicle indicator shows neutral or park despite being in drive; No warning lights prior to event; Vehicle requires restarting to regain power; Cannot shift out of neutral or park for minutes after event
Codes mentioned: P0810 (clutch position control error), U0104 (communication error between modules)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission control module replacement performed in multiple cases; full transmission replacement under warranty in at least one case; one case suggested $6,000 engine harness replacement as potential second-step repair; some dealers report inability to retrieve fault codes despite confirmed failure; one case involved transmission rebuild at $7,700 after internal tooth failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda corporate told owner to contact dealer; case numbers issued but no resolution provided in some cases; one dealer stated transmission replacement alone may require follow-up engine harness replacement at $6,000 if problem recurs (80% confidence problem will not return); transmission failure attributed to 'normal breaking in' in one case by corporate
Transmission jerking and hard shifting in 4th–5th gear
Transmission exhibits jerking, hard shifting, and delayed engagement while driving in mid-range gears, particularly on hills or during light acceleration.
When: Around 30–35 mph; on hills and in traffic with slower acceleration; one case at 56,200 miles with multiple warning lights present
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking or bucking during gear engagement; Hard shifting in 4th or 5th gear; Engine light illumination; Transmission warning lights; Adaptive Cruise Control warning light; Lane Keep Assist warning light; Auto high beam warning light; Vehicle refuses to start in at least one case
Codes mentioned: U0104, U0104-00
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid flush performed but did not resolve issue in one case; one owner paid $7,700 out of warranty for transmission rebuild after teeth shattered and transmission seized
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer and dealer acknowledged as known issue with ZF 9-speed transmission across Passport models; newer model years transitioning to 10-speed transmission
Uncontrolled acceleration and brake failure
Vehicle accelerates without driver input and brakes become unresponsive. Vehicle shifts to neutral as only way to stop.
When: On highway; one incident on 11/11/25
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates with foot not on gas pedal; Brakes do not respond; Vehicle shifts to neutral involuntarily; Only stopping method is engine shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Full diagnostic performed; transmission replaced under warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Transmission replacement performed under warranty; case number assigned to Honda corporate but no follow-up resolution provided after loss-of-power recurred one month post-repair
Transmission cannot shift out of park
Vehicle enters park and becomes unable to shift out despite multiple attempts. Dashboard shows 'Stop Driving When Safe. Transmission Problem. See Manual' error or similar transmission-related warnings.
When: One case on uphill reverse scenario; multiple cases reported; one case during third dealership visit
Symptoms owners cite: Gear selector buttons unresponsive; Vehicle stuck in park; Multiple warning messages on instrument panel (6–10+ warnings reported in some cases); Vehicle partially in traffic unable to clear roadway; Backup camera non-functional in some cases; False 'key in vehicle' beep alerts
Repairs/costs cited: Battery terminal removal and reapplication temporarily resolved issue in one case; another case awaiting dealership repair; one case returned to dealer three times with same recurring issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle error messages refer driver to manual; no manufacturer follow-up documented in complaints
Electrical/software communication faults and infotainment blackouts
Multiple electrical and software failures occur, including radio/infotainment blackouts, dashboard display loss, backup camera failures, and cascading warning light events.
When: Recurrent throughout ownership; one case at ~1,000 miles with multiple occurrences; one case at 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Radio displays 'Network Communication Lost' before screen blacks out; Odometer display blacks out; Backup camera screen blacks out (unable to see speed or use federally mandated backup camera); Parking sensor display non-functional; Blind spot monitoring false alerts ('brake' warning when no braking needed); Engine stall with cascade of error messages: emissions, transmission, engine, blind-spot monitoring, battery warnings; Auto high beam feature malfunction (does not turn off for oncoming traffic, blinding other drivers)
Codes mentioned: Multiple simultaneous fault codes including emissions, transmission, engine, blind-spot, and battery-related codes
Repairs/costs cited: Radio/infotainment, floor harness, and IP harness replaced in early-mileage case; transmission stalling issue noted; ATF overfill drain and refill in one case; dealership unable to fix infotainment issues after two attempts; multiple faults cascade when engine stalls
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Right axle boot grease leak
Right axle boot shows layer of grease on exterior and is suspected of being cracked, while left axle boot shows no such grease accumulation.
When: Identified during routine service at under 36,000 miles (within original 3-year warranty)
Symptoms owners cite: Visible grease layer on right axle boot; Suspected crack in boot; Asymmetrical wear/condition between left and right axle boots; No system warning messages
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer denied coverage, stating this is not a defect; dealer showed multiple other vehicles with same issue as evidence of normalcy
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer does not consider this a defect; warranty coverage denied
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Traveling up a hill of 5-degree incline. 20 MPH speed limit. Came to complete stop, pushed reverse button. Back over prevention camera did not activate. Did not depress gas pedal. Vehicle rolled backward 35 feet before coming to rest partially in traffic and partially in private driveway. Instrument panel indicated vehicle P for park throughout the entire event. After coming to rest:…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2019 Honda Passport?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 23 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 25,740 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.