2025 Honda Passport

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On XXX, my 2025 Honda Passport failed to restart after the automatic idle-stop system activated while I was stopped in heavy traffic. When I released the brake, the engine would not restart despite multiple attempts. The dashboard warning lights illuminated, including the red battery warning light. My vehicle was completely immobilized in an active lane of heavy traffic, blocking other motorists. I was unable to move the vehicle out of the roadway, creating a serious risk of a rear-end collision or other traffic accident. I remained stranded until a passing motorist stopped to assist me and successfully jump-started the vehicle. This was the second occurrence of this malfunction. In XXX, the same failure occurred at a busy [XXX] intersection. Following that incident, an authorized Honda dealership replaced the battery under warranty. Despite that repair, the problem recurred approximately three months later. I am taking the vehicle back to the dealer as soon as I can for this latest incident. I am extremely concerned that this recurring malfunction could cause a serious collision, particularly if the vehicle fails to restart in another busy intersection or roadway. The failure occurs without an advance warning that would allow me to move the vehicle to a safe location. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11776913

Incident

Nov 9, 2026

Vehicle is equipped with Auto Idle Stop (AIS). When coming to a complete stop at traffic lights or intersections, the engine shuts off as designed. However, upon releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle fails to automatically restart. The engine stalls completely, leaving the vehicle immobilized in active traffic. This has occurred multiple times with increasing frequency over the past six months, creating a severe rear-end collision hazard. The most recent occurrence was 11/7/2026.

NHTSA ID

11776812

Incident

Nov 7, 2026

The vehicle suffered a complete engine stall in an active traffic intersection during an Auto Start-Stop / Idle Stop event and entered a 45-minute electronic communication freeze. Car stopped and then when took foot off of pedal, the car stopped and it didn't actually start. Breaks were hard and I couldn't do anything with the car. It didn't allow me to do anything. Usually it takes time to start after it is stopped and sometimes it takes 3 seconds to start when stopped in a traffic light. In one occasion, I heard the sound when there is an issue, but when reviewing, it doesn't show an actual error. I don't know if there is another issue that potentially is draining the battery. Battery was changed in August and then I took the car again in September and Honda said that everything was OK.

NHTSA ID

11776593

Incident

Nov 8, 2026

When the IDLE LOCK system engages and the engine shuts off, there is an intermittent issue where the car will not automatically restart the engine. The vehicle will go into neutral and require shutdown and restart before going into drive. This has resulted in extremely dangerous situations when it occurs on highways or in traffic. The Honda service department was unable to replicate this occurrence and recommended that I disable the Idle lock system each time I started the car.

NHTSA ID

11775996

Incident

Nov 2, 2026

I have a 2025 Honda Passport with just over 20,000 miles that is having the Start/Stop issue where the car will not restart primarily after it has been driven a few miles and the engine is hot. I usually try to turn this feature off, but if I forget, there is a good chance that I will be stuck blocking traffic. Very dangerous in high traffic situations. This has happened several times recently. I first started noticing the issue when restarting the car after a short stop and the engine was still hot. The starter seemed to pause before starting the engine. I took the car to the local Honda dealer, but they gave the car a clean bill of health. Since that diagnosis, I have been stuck several times in high traffic situations and also in parking lots where the car would not restart until it sat and cooled down. It is one thing to be in a parking lot and need to wait to start the car, it is a whole different situation to be in 8 lanes of traffic and not being able to start the car. I again took the car to the Honda dealer on 11/4/2026 only to be told that Honda is aware of the problem and they are working on it.

NHTSA ID

11775849

Incident

Nov 1, 2026

Car shuts off at red light but fails to restart. It shifts to neutral and shuts off. Requiring a total restart of engine

NHTSA ID

11772787

Incident

Oct 8, 2026

On four separate occasions, while operating my 2025 Honda Passport, the vehicle has experienced an abrupt and dangerous electronic transmission failure. While coming to a complete stop at active traffic lights, the vehicle's Auto Engine Idle Stop feature engages and shuts down the engine normally. However, upon releasing the brake pedal to accelerate, the vehicle experiences a severe electrical/electronic fault during the automated engine restart phase. Instead of restarting and shifting into Drive, the electronic gear shifter loses communication and automatically forces the transmission into Neutral. The vehicle is instantly left stranded and immobilized in the middle of live intersections, leaving me completely vulnerable to rear-end collisions. To resolve the issue and safely move the vehicle, I am forced to completely turn the ignition off and cycle the vehicle power back on to manually reset the transmission control module. This is a severe, recurring safety hazard that puts myself and other motorists at immediate risk of injury.

NHTSA ID

11772438

Incident

Oct 19, 2026

My mother bought this new 2025 Honda passport Ex+L with 5 miles brand new in dec 2024. Since owning it I have put only 10650 miles on it. Less than 5k a year and mostly drove highway miles in that first year. Was told during purchase that Honda link would be available so that I can get help, see maintainer reminders, and even use to towing, and repair services. But they had stopped Honda link earlier this year. This was a major factor for my elderly mother so that she had these options for her if needed. Also, I have been trying to get Honda to fix both top rear seals, there are 2in+ gaps in the top rear, where dirt, Debree, and water are accumulating which I am worried that it will cause rust, due to poor paint quality. I took it to the dealership where the service manager even said it looked defective but would need to get same model to compare. It's now been over a year with no resolution. This is my mother's first new vehicle ever and would be her last vehicle. Also, I have noticed that the front collision waring just appear out of nowhere at times. This has been another ongoing issue. Then just recently been feeling transmission lurching and not engaging. She and I do no use this offroad, towing, or even carry heavy loads. Honda used to make great vehicles and customer service was great and quick to respond and resolve issues. Not no more. I feel that these and other issue with same model that are now having major engine problems will cause her to crash or get involved in an accident. I can only drive her when i have time to and just simply very aggravated with Honda. Ive owned over 9 Honda and Acura vehicles over the decades and never had any issues such as this. The dealership even sold her a 3rd party extended warranty as she was led to believe it was with Honda Care mostly to cover new tech. I will continue to contact Honda and Don Jacobs Honda about these issues, but from the level of non, feel like they had sold her a defective SUV. Thanks

NHTSA ID

11771524

Incident

May 12, 2025

Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the auto idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions.

Dealer Message - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions. The customer should be able to restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2024-2026 Odysseys & Ridgelines and 2024-2025 Passports with a customer complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P0441 (EVAP System Purge Flow Malfunction) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2024-2026 Odysseys & Ridgelines and 2024-2025 Passports with a customer complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P0441 (EVAP System Purge Flow Malfunction) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2023-2025 Odysseys, Passports, and Ridgelines with a customer complaint of the brake pedal sticking or slow to return. This may result in delayed acceleration, dragging noise, or all 3 brake lights staying on without any pedal engagement. The vehicle may also experience issues with activating cruise control. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2023-2025 Odysseys, Passports, and Ridgelines with a customer complaint of the brake pedal sticking or slow to return. This may result in delayed acceleration, dragging noise, or all 3 brake lights staying on without any pedal engagement. The vehicle may also experience issues with activating cruise control. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.