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 ↗2021 Honda Passport engine problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 11 engine complaints filed for the 2021 Honda Passport, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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
Ten complaint narratives paint a troubling picture of 2021 Passport engine and powertrain problems. The most recurring issue is unexpected engine stalling, particularly at stoplights and during low-speed operation—some cases involve the antitheft system reporting power loss, others show no warning at all. Restart times can stretch to five minutes or longer. One owner's second Honda exhibits the same stalling pattern, eventually fixed by starter assembly and relay replacement plus valve adjustment under a March 2023 warranty extension.
Crankshaft and connecting rod bearing knock appears across multiple complaints, often at very low mileage (22k miles reported in several cases, one as early as 6,142 miles during the first oil change). Owners describe audible knocking between 11–17k RPM or at low RPM on warm engines. Dealers initially dismiss the noise as normal, but independent shops and second-opinion Honda dealers diagnose bearing wear. One owner's main bearing replacement failed to eliminate the noise, leaving the defect unresolved. Metal contamination in engine oil (gray ferrous debris and silver flakes) was documented at 6,142 miles, raising concerns about manufacturing quality or internal wear.
Less common but critical: sudden unintended acceleration during parking resulted in collision and airbag deployment. One owner also reported emissions alert triggering limp mode with severe power loss during normal driving. The vehicle manufacturer references Campaign Number 23V751000 for engine issues, and a March 2023 warranty extension for certain repairs exists, though affected owners report inconsistent dealer diagnosis and limited fix effectiveness.
Same Honda Passport engine reports on nearby years: 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling and restart failure
Engine shuts off or stalls unexpectedly while driving or idling at stops, with difficulty or extended time (5 minutes reported) to restart. Occurs with or without warning messages.
When: At stoplights, during normal driving, after battery age ~2 years
Symptoms owners cite: Engine suddenly shuts off while backing out or at stoplights; Antitheft system message (loss of power) on display; No warning lights or messages before stalling in some cases; Extended restart time (5+ minutes); Auto Idle Stop system active during incidents
Codes mentioned: Antitheft system power loss message, Emissions alert with transmission and VSA codes
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had original battery replaced at ~2 years old; dealer unable to recreate issue in others. Another owner's similar 2nd vehicle required starter assembly and relay replacement plus valve adjustment per March 2023 warranty extension.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: PGM-FI Idle Stop software update performed (9/16/23 at 17,582 miles per one report); March 2023 warranty extension notice mentioned for starter/relay/valve work; Campaign Number 23V751000 referenced but VIN not included in one complaint
Crankshaft and bearing knock
Engine produces abnormal knocking or noise from crankshaft and connecting rod bearings, typically at low RPM on warm engine or in 11-17k RPM range. Indicates premature bearing wear and risk of catastrophic engine failure.
When: At 22k miles (low-mileage vehicles), one case at 73k miles, one at 6,142 miles during oil change
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal knocking sound from engine compartment; Knocking audible between 11–17k RPM; Knocking at low RPM on warm engine; Check engine warning light illuminated in one case
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Connecting rod bearing failure (cylinder #3 documented)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed connecting rod bearing failure in cylinder #3 with engine damage; one owner had main crankshaft bearing replaced but noise persisted; dealers initially told owners noise was normal; maintenance records documented as good in affected vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) cited; Honda opened case and referred owner to NHTSA Hotline; main bearing replacement performed in one case
Sudden unintended acceleration
Engine races to full throttle without driver input while vehicle is stationary or at low speed, brakes unable to control vehicle, resulting in collision.
When: While slowly maneuvering into parking spot
Symptoms owners cite: Engine raced to full throttle spontaneously; Vehicle moved despite brake application; Vehicle collision with fixed object (handicap pole); Airbag deployment; Smoke inside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed with extensive front-end damage; minor property damage to pole and parking area
Metal contamination in engine oil
Magnetic drain plug caked with gray ferrous material and silver flake particles at low mileage, indicating internal engine wear or manufacturing debris.
When: First oil change at 6,142 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Magnetic gray material caked on drain plug; Silver flake specks in oil; Vehicle built September 2020 at transition of J35 motor production
Repairs/costs cited: First oil change performed by dealer since new; owner noted concern over metal debris at very low mileage
Limp mode with loss of power
Vehicle enters reduced-power or limp mode after emissions alert, preventing normal acceleration and drivability.
When: During normal drive approaching intersection
Symptoms owners cite: Emissions alert displayed alongside transmission and VSA codes; Vehicle moved only 40 feet before stopping; Severe power loss, barely able to move; Vehicle required tow
Codes mentioned: Emissions alert, Transmission code, VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) code
Repairs/costs cited: Owner states similar existing recall exists but 2021 model year not included; vehicle towed
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I am writing to make you aware of an alarming incident that happened with our 2021 Honda Passport this fall. My wife backed out of the garage and was in our driveway when the vehicle engine suddenly turned off and a message appeared on the entertainment display. It said that the antitheft system had lost power and that the power button needed to be pushed to restore it. She finally got the car…
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Passport. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the connecting rod bearing in cylinder #3, resulting in damage to the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. After…
Had engine trouble with your 2021 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 2021 Honda Passport?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 81,606 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/2021/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.