Service Bulletin - The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the correct position on the charger due to software specifications that can cause some phones to have issues charging.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Honda Passport electrical problems
moderate 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 25 electrical complaints filed for the 2020 Honda Passport, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 25 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 7 model years of Honda Passport in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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 wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the correct position on the charger.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the correct position on the charger.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on initial startup after precipitation and sub-freezing temperatures. Water can enter the starter motor, and when temperatures drop below freezing, the water will freeze inside the starter motor. This will prevent the starter from cranking the engine.
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
Owners report two persistent electrical problems in the 2020 Honda Passport: infotainment system failures and auto idle stop (AIS) system stalls.
The infotainment issue appears most frequently. The system loses communication and reboots while driving, often multiple times per trip. Owners describe it starting with "Signal Lost" or "Radio Unavailable" messages, followed by "Service Unavailable" and "Network Connection Lost" displays before the screen blacks out. During these 1-2 second shutdowns, the backup camera and other integrated safety functions stop working. The system usually reboots in 2-20 minutes, but timing is unpredictable. Owners also report loud crackling and popping noises through the speakers that can happen even when audio is off. Multiple Honda service visits have not resolved the problem—dealers cite a wiring harness defect in the MOST system and mention an "extended service period" covers it, though some owners reference technical service bulletins suggesting Honda is aware of the issue.
The auto idle stop problem is more dangerous. When AIS engages at red lights, the engine fails to restart on the first attempt. Owners report being stranded in traffic for several minutes while the engine cycles through multiple restart attempts. Some vehicles shift to neutral or park during the stall; restart requires turning the vehicle completely off, opening the door, waiting, or cycling the ignition repeatedly. Ambient temperature (both cold and hot) may factor in. One owner mentioned this occurring after Honda service bulletin 23-009 was performed.
Both failures create distraction and safety concerns in active traffic.
Same Honda Passport electrical reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Infotainment system communication loss and reboot cycle
The integrated infotainment system loses communication and initiates shutdown/reboot cycles while driving, displaying sequential error messages (Signal Lost, Radio Unavailable, Service Unavailable, Network Connection Lost) before the screen blacks out.
When: While driving, on various road types (highway, city street, unpaved), at various speeds; can occur multiple times per trip; may worsen in humid or rainy conditions.
Symptoms owners cite: Infotainment screen goes black; Backup camera stops functioning; Loud crackling and popping noises through speakers (even when audio is off); Safety system warnings (blind-spot alerts) may not sound; Screen displays error messages: Signal Lost, Radio Unavailable, Service Unavailable, Network Connection Lost; System reboots in 2-20 minutes (variable timing)
Repairs/costs cited: Honda dealers have performed multiple repairs; cited wiring harness defect in MOST system; repairs have not permanently resolved the issue; Honda covers under extended service period, not recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended service period (not a recall); technical service bulletins exist documenting the issue; dealers unable to permanently fix despite multiple service visits.
Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system engine restart failure
When the Auto Idle Stop system engages at stops (red lights, freeway off-ramps), the engine fails to restart when the driver attempts to accelerate or proceed, leaving the vehicle immobilized.
When: When stopped at traffic lights or ramps with AIS engaged; occurs at ambient temperatures ranging from 49°F to 110°F; may occur in cold weather conditions as well.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fails to restart after AIS engagement; Vehicle becomes immobilized in traffic lane; Multiple restart attempts required (2-10+ attempts); Vehicle shifts to park or neutral during stall; Hazard lights engage automatically; Requires turning vehicle completely off, opening door, and waiting before restart; Restart delay ranging from seconds to several minutes
Repairs/costs cited: Starter replacement mentioned in one complaint; one owner's issue occurred after Honda service bulletin 23-009 (Idle Stop Recall) was performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin 23-009 addresses Idle Stop issues; one owner indicates problems persisted after this bulletin work was completed.
Electrical system short causing speaker crackling and popping
A short in the electrical system generates loud crackling and popping sounds from the infotainment speakers, occurring independently of infotainment function and persisting even when the system is powered off.
When: Randomly during driving; triggered or worsened by abrupt braking, road bumps, humid weather, or rain; can occur at various loudness levels.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud crackling and popping from speakers; Noise persists even when infotainment is set to off; Noise triggered by rough road conditions or abrupt braking; Worsened by humid or rainy conditions; Noise sounds like gravel hitting windshield; Highly distracting to driver
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers attribute to wiring harness defect; multiple repair attempts have not permanently resolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under extended service period; Honda acknowledges as manufacturing defect.
Camera or sensor electrical failure in cold weather
The forward-facing camera that powers Honda Sensing features (braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control) shorts out during extreme cold, disabling multiple safety systems.
When: During extreme cold weather conditions.
Symptoms owners cite: Forward-facing camera shorts out; Honda Sensing safety systems become inoperative; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) disabled; Lane-Keeping Assist System (LKAS) disabled; Automatic braking features disabled
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Problem with automatic idle. Car will randomly turn off when the idle-stop is engaged.
Was at a red light and the car just shut off. NOTHING! After about 5-10 seconds I pushed the start stop button and it hesitated for a few seconds and I let go and then tried it again. It hesitated and then came on. No problem the rest of the day. I have had the car for a year and zeo issues with the. My Mother had it for 3 years previously and she never had the issue. The battery is good (and…
Audio screen reboot issue - the audio screen turns off while driving and takes several minutes to reboot.
Static, cracking, popping, and loss of infotainment center, even when vehicle is turned off.
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 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 electrical problem on the 2020 Honda Passport?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 25 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 25 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 21,797 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2020/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.