2026 Honda Passport

Vehicle: 2026 Honda Passport VIN: [XXX] Mileage at time of most recent incident: ~16,795 miles Dealer(s): Garcia Honda, Albuquerque, NM (selling dealer); Honda of Santa Fe (servicing dealer) Complaint narrative: I am experiencing recurring electrical system failures and brake-related warning malfunctions in my 2026 Honda Passport that have required three separate repair attempts: [XXX] (RO [XXX]): Auto Stop/Start system shut down unexpectedly. Dealer installed a software update. Vehicle died while driving, [XXX] (RO [XXX]): Vehicle died while driving, with hazard lights inoperative. Diagnostic code U1291 was found, but the dealer could not confirm the underlying fault. [XXX] (RO [XXX], ongoing): Vehicle displayed multiple warning lights and a brake system malfunction message. As of 9/22/2026, the vehicle remains at the dealership and has been disassembled for diagnosis. These are not isolated incidents — the 2026 Passport has multiple other owner-reported complaints to NHTSA describing unexpected shutdowns, brake system warnings activating without cause, and safety features engaging unexpectedly, suggesting a pattern consistent with an underlying electrical/braking system defect rather than a vehicle-specific issue. The unpredictable nature of these failures — sudden shutdown while driving, loss of hazard lights, and unexplained brake warnings — poses an ongoing safety risk to myself and other drivers. I am also currently pursuing lemon law arbitration against Honda (NCDS case HON260745) regarding this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11766031

Incident

Apr 8, 2026

The car in question is a 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite that I purchased in August of 2026 -- and that I'm now thinking of selling! Occasionally when accelerating from a stopped position the acceleration will hesitate for a full second, followed by a slight herky jerky motion. This presents a dangerous situation --- particularly when turning left with oncoming traffic barrelling down. This does not happen all the time but its scary and I end up just waiting to turn rather than risking getting t-boned. I notice on Reddit and the Honda forum that this is a known issue! Nobody has offered a reason. I feel like selling the car it's so bad.

NHTSA ID

11765901

Incident

Aug 7, 2026

Cracks appeared on my headlight lens, some all the way through. Its a condition called crazing. Honda refuses to replace saying that I damaged them, which I haven't. If it rains hard, water can enter causing a short , headlights going out or a short causing a fire.

NHTSA ID

11765331

Incident

Aug 31, 2026

I just bought the brand new vehicle about a month and a half ago. Went on a vacation in [XXX] National [XXX]. I was cruising along XXX in [XXX], smooth highway, no one near me, great weather, and all of a sudden, there was a huge boom sound so loud, and glass fell down on me, I looked up and my sunroof had exploded and shattered, while the shade was open. I never saw any vehicle near me or bad weather or problem. Just cruising speed on an open highway. I read online and have been told this is a known occurrence with sunroofs in Honda Passports, and have researched online seeing it happen to others. I pulled over and called my Honda dealership. The recommended a crash wrap and to close the shade. I couldn't get it wrapped until I got home to [XXX], and my dealer did that. The shattering occurred on XXX about noon. It was scary, and I had glass in my hair, lap, and all around me in the car. No issues prior that I was aware of. I was looking straight ahead on the open highway when this occurred. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11764738

Incident

Sep 11, 2026

The driver’s front seat has an internal manufacturing defect causing severe physical pain and numbness, creating a hazardous distraction and impacting my ability to safely operate the vehicle. While operating my 2026 Honda Passport, the driver's front seat induces intense pressure and localized pain against my tailbone and lower back within 20 to 30 minutes of driving. Investigation reveals a known community design flaw where a rigid internal component or improperly fitted seat ventilation hardware creates a hard, localized ridge right at the cushion junction. The sudden onset of severe tailbone pain and lower extremity numbness forces me to constantly shift body weight and alter my seating posture while the vehicle is in motion. This causes an extreme, continuous driver distraction, delays my reaction time to brake or steer, and makes maintaining proper vehicle control difficult during extended highway travel. I have had to resort to using aftermarket padding that alters my driving height and position, potentially compromising the engineered effectiveness of the vehicle's airbag and seatbelt safety systems. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Honda dealership for inspection. The service department turned me away, despite several others concurring that they can feel the presence of the intrusion. I’ve sat in several other Honda Passport Trailsports where the same seat defect is not present. I was informed by Honda that the seat is built "within factory specifications," meaning the design flaw cannot be corrected by swapping standard components.

NHTSA ID

11763851

Incident

Sep 3, 2026

Driving from [XXX] to [XXX], just over 1hr into trip @ 100 miles out of town and on one of the many steep inclines on the route, the engine power seemed to pulse, as if increase and decrease of gas/acceleration, then has every single alert possible illuminated on dash with the bell sound: Electric power steering system problem, steering assist reduced. Electric parking brake system problem, parking brake not available. Brake system problem, brake performance may be reduced. Brake hold system problem, apply brake when stopped. Vehicle stability assist system problem, reduced traction and handling. Trailer stability assist system problem. Hill descent control system problem, apply brake when descending. Hill start assist problem, vehicle may roll upon brake release. Adaptive cruise control system problem. Collision mitigation braking system problem. Road departure mitigation system problem. Low speed braking control problem. Emission system problem, avoid heavy acceleration and high speed. All wheel drive system problem, only front wheels may be powered. All alerts ending with 'See your dealer' The car then had reduced power which was a significant safety concern and driving risk when navigating hills and traffic flowing at 75mph uphill while this vehicle going slower and slower regardless of gas pedal pressure: 65mph, than 60mph, than 55mph, than 50mhp eating gas like crazy. Coasted into gas station to asses. At low speed there was a rattle upon pressing gas pedal coming from under the hood. The vehicle is 3 months old and has 4,197 miles. It is not simply that the alerts illuminated, those systems were all affected: braking, steering, acceleration, lane departure, cruise control etc. all were not working. Heavy acceleration and high speed were not even an option. Somehow made it back to [XXX] in limp/aux mode. Dealer has had vehicle for 6 hours and no update other than, 'it's not the battery' INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11762827

Incident

Sep 6, 2026

Re: Case #[XXX] – Outstanding Concerns Case #[XXX] 2026 Honda PASSPORT, VIN: [XXX]. As we discussed, I am requesting that American Honda Motor Co. voluntarily repurchase my 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite. March 9, 2026: During a scheduled oil change, I reported the phone echo and infotainment concerns. The dealership was unable to duplicate the issue at that time. May 27, 2026: Vehicle evaluated for recurring infotainment concerns. The issues were not resolved. June 1, 2026: Vehicle returned for continued infotainment concerns. The issues remained unresolved. June 19, 2026: The dealership replaced the entire infotainment/head unit. Unfortunately, the original defects persisted immediately following the repair. In addition, Honda released an over-the-air (OTA) software update in March 2026. That update also did not resolve the infotainment defects. Since purchasing the vehicle in late October 2025, I have experienced persistent infotainment defects, including a phone echo affecting the receiving party on every outgoing phone call. Since I began formally documenting the issues in March 2026, I have documented 21 infotainment freezes and screen blackout incidents. These issues began shortly after I purchased the vehicle in November 2025 but were not individually documented until March. The multiple issues with my infotainment system screen blacking out while driving is a significant safety concern and prohibits my ability To safely use my car for maps and GPS road conditions in the daily mountain areas I drive safely. Despite my attempt to bring this to Honda corporate on two separate occasions, they are dismissing the case. Honda engineers have admitted as of July 2, 2026 in writing that this is a known issue and they are admitted in writing, there is no fix. My Honda dealer has worked relentlessly to try to help me and Honda corporate customer service has dismissed me. I need help for my significant safety issue! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(

NHTSA ID

11762461

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

10 speed transmission at times down shifts harshly at low speed coming to a stop. you have to feather the brake pedal to come to a smooth stop without the head jerking. At times can hear and feel the gears downshift coming to a stop and occasional jolt right before the car comes to a complete stop. I've never had to think about braking to a smooth stop ever before this 10 speed transmission. This is coming from a similar Honda SUV with 6 speed transmission (2012 pilot). Resetting the transmission's adaptive learning values did not resolve the issue. I request that Honda investigate this defect, provide a software reprogram, or issue a recall to fix the shift quality.

NHTSA ID

11762423

Incident

Sep 6, 2026

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2026-2027 Passports with a customer complaint of a noise coming from the exhaust while driving. The noise can be described as rattling, grinding, scraping, whining, humming, buzzing, etc. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2026-2027 Passports with a customer complaint of a noise coming from the exhaust while driving. The noise can be described as rattling, grinding, scraping, whining, humming, buzzing, etc. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Tech Line Summary - The vehicle's infotainment system displays previously viewed SMS messages upon each ignition cycle, when the customer's Android phone is connected via Bluetooth.

Over the Air - System updates contain upgrades that fix operational errors and/or provide a variety of enhancements, which adds new functionality. Information about the various software releases can be found in this document. Use Audio system Version: 8A050-3BM-A015

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2026 Passport with a customer complaint of the roof rail component(s) being visibly loose, deformed, warped or mis-set. Deformity or mis-set conditions may also cause wind or flapping noises. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2026 Passport with a customer complaint of the roof rail component(s) being visibly loose, deformed, warped or mis-set. Deformity or mis-set conditions may also cause wind or flapping noises. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.