2026 Honda Passport Owner Complaints

Beginning shortly after delivery in July 2026, the steering wheel produced an audible clicking noise when turned. It progressed steadily and by approximately 1,200 miles was present on essentially every turn of the wheel. At 1,300 miles the dealer diagnosed a failed clock spring (cable reel assembly) and replaced it under warranty in September 2026. The dealer stated this was a known issue on the Passport and other current Honda models and that no permanent fix was available. The noise returned within days of the replacement and has progressed at approximately the same rate as the original failure. At roughly 2,600 miles it is again present on essentially every turn of the wheel, equal in severity to the pre-repair condition. Safety concern: the clock spring carries the electrical circuit for the driver’s air bag, the horn, and the steering wheel controls. A second failure of this component on a vehicle less than four months old raises concern about the integrity of the air bag circuit and whether it will function in a crash. The condition was reproduced and confirmed by the dealer, who replaced the component under warranty. The vehicle is available for inspection. No warning lamps have appeared to date. The only symptom is the audible noise, which is why it is being reported before a failure occurs. Also noted: when the vehicle was returned after the clock spring replacement, the steering wheel had been reinstalled significantly off center, requiring roughly a one o’clock position to drive straight. This was corrected on a return visit. A case is open with the manufacturer. As of this filing, no diagnosis or repair plan has been provided and the condition remains unresolved.

NHTSA ID

11777378

Incident

Sep 14, 2026

Clicking of steering wheel at low speed and concern that it could impact the steering of the vehicle. Has progressively gotten more consistent at about 2500 miles. Happens regularly.

NHTSA ID

11777174

Incident

May 19, 2026

Steering wheel has started clicking anytime the steering wheel turns. Started shortly before 5,000 mi on a 2026 Honda trail sport elite.

NHTSA ID

11777121

Incident

Nov 10, 2026

At roughly 400 miles on the new vehicle the steering wheel is clicking whenever it is turned, regardless of direction. It is constant; there is no specific factor where it doesn’t occur.

NHTSA ID

11777066

Incident

Aug 10, 2026

Steering wheel makes a repeated clicking sound when turning, most noticeable at low speeds and when parking. Noise began at approximately 1,000 miles on 10/2026 and comes from behind the steering wheel. This symptom is consistent with a failing clock spring (cable reel assembly), which provides the electrical connection to the driver's front airbag, horn, and steering wheel controls. A failed clock spring could disable the driver's airbag without warning. Other 2026 Passport and 2026 Pilot owners report the same issue. Dealers have replaced the clock spring, and in some cases the steering wheel and column, but the noise often returns within days or weeks, suggesting the replacement parts are also defective. Honda has issued no service bulletin or recall for this condition. No warning lights have appeared yet. I request that NHTSA investigate the clock spring and steering column assembly on 2026 Honda Passport and Pilot vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11777039

Incident

Oct 30, 2026

Driving down the interstate and the sunroof exploded. It was closed.

NHTSA ID

11776838

Incident

Nov 9, 2026

Since around June 2026, the infotainment system in my 2026 Honda Passport shows 'Not connected to TCU,' 'Update error. See your dealer,' and update error codes TT04 (update interrupted/failed) and TT06 (update unavailable). The telematics control unit will not connect, so the vehicle cannot download or install over-the-air software updates, and HondaLink remote functions, the Wi-Fi hotspot, and built-in Google services do not work. I took the vehicle to Cannon Honda in August 2026 and to Ryan Honda in October 2026 for the same issue; neither dealer could fix it. Ryan Honda said they would contact Honda, but there has been no fix and no callback. Because the vehicle cannot receive over-the-air updates, it cannot receive any safety-related software updates delivered that way. This same failure has been reported by many other 2026 Passport owners.

NHTSA ID

11776164

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

The car, without any warning or issue in operation otherwise, failed to start and left the driver stranded on two separate occasions. The issue is not due to low battery charge as the battery was tested and shown to have 100% state of health and 65% + state of charge. Symptoms of the issue: the dashboard did not light up to show any warning lights at all; the infotainment head unit displayed an error message: "Feature not available while the car is in motion" when attempting to choose the driver profile (the car was off, not operational and not in motion); alarm system sounded with flashing lights; seat power was fully functional; the car, with brake depressed while pushing the engine on/off button, would not start or provide any feedback. The driver was left at a rest stop in a rural area off the interstate for over 6 hours waiting for a tow service that never showed up. Driver left the car at the rest stop, took a $130 Uber home and then rented a car to meet the tow service the next day since Honda Roadside assistance told the driver they needed to be present in order for the tow to take place. The tow service failed to show up again after over 3 hours of waiting. Honda Roadside assistance finally agreed to tow the car "unattended" to the nearest dealership. Said dealership had the car for two days and upon returning the car stated: "there have been 4 known such issues in the country with Honda Passports, we tried a few things and have it working again. We also replaced a retention clip to ensure the suspected cable doesn't become "soft-set" again. We don't think this will happen again, but in case it does...." and proceeded to show me how to reset the retention clip under the hood that was replaced. Unacceptable resolution, the car cannot be trusted and I have a case open with American Honda Motor trying to get them to take me out of the lease.

NHTSA ID

11776127

Incident

Nov 1, 2026

The driver's seat where the tailbone would rest has an annoying pressure on my seat bottom. I find it distracting. Dealer states that this is a normal characteristic of the seat. My thought that anything that distracts the driver that can be corrected, should be corrected. Honda did not have an immediate answer. They took my information and assigned case # XXX to me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11775929

Incident

Nov 5, 2026

Windshield chips/cracks easily. Minor road debris cause significant chips to windshield.

NHTSA ID

11774930

Incident

Nov 1, 2026

The driver-side rear roof rail housing/bracket on my 2026 Honda Passport is loose. The affected section is exposed to wind while the vehicle is moving. The roof rail component has already been replaced once, but the replacement component is noticeably looser and appears to fit worse than the original component that was previously installed. The issue has therefore persisted despite a replacement, and the condition of the replacement is worse than that of the original part. I am concerned that the loose roof rail housing or bracket may become progressively dislodged under repeated wind exposure and vehicle vibration. If the component detaches while driving, it could create a road hazard or pose a risk to other motorists. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and evaluate whether this condition reflects a recurring component defect, inadequate retention, or an installation or fitment problem affecting other vehicles of the same model year. The component has already been replaced once, and the replacement has not resolved the concern. I believe the recurring nature of this issue warrants further evaluation rather than treating it solely as an isolated cosmetic problem.

NHTSA ID

11771784

Incident

Oct 9, 2026

Purchased vehicle November 27th, 2025 took car to the carwash after owning a few months and noticed after the car wash the paint was chipping. Took to dealership was told "oh those are door dings or something to that effect", filed with Honda was told basically the same thing. So, started doing research and came across the NHTSA website to file a complaint as well as the NCDS Informal Dispute Settlement Program. I have never had a new car or even a used car have the paint chip off when using a car wash. In doing my research it appears this particular make and model with the orange paint is a known issue. I didn't pay the price for this car to be unable to keep it clean. I am also filing a complaint with the state attorney generals office, this car is still under warranty.

NHTSA ID

11770408

Incident

Feb 9, 2026

Like many others have reported on the internet, I am now seeing the TT04 message on the dashboard inidicating that a software update was interrupted and I must see the dealer. This is concerning in that this bug has been reported for years and Honda has failed to find a solution. What exactly is not working in the car with a failed update? What must a dealer do to fix the update and is the car safe until then? No answers from Honda in two years.

NHTSA ID

11770407

Incident

Oct 1, 2026

I bought the 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport new with 300 dealer miles on it. From the very beginning there was a loud thump in the rear when going over speed bumps. I took it to the dealer I bought it from and they said they could not repeat the sound. I took it to another Honda dealer and test drove with the manager over speed bumps where the sound was clearly heard. The manager just said to drive more slowly over speed bumps because the Passport was only off-road capable not off road designed. I took it back to the original dealer I bought it from and drove over speed bumps with a technician who heard the thump. He then retorqued the rear subframe per the safety recall 4170A9. I left the dealer and retested driving over speed bumps. The thumping sound was still pronounced. Now I see this is a known NHTSA safety recall issue increasing the risk of crash or injury. I called the dealer and told them I was bringing it back until it was fixed.

NHTSA ID

11770277

Incident

Oct 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Honda Passport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ignition warning light illuminated and the message "Keyless Access Failure” was displayed with the TPMS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the wiring and connectors in the dashboard needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 590.

NHTSA ID

11769059

Incident

Sep 30, 2026

Mileage

590 mi

There is a defect issue with the driver's seat in this vehicle that is causing me to become distracted while driving. From the first time I sat in the vehicle, the driver’s seat produces a hard, localized pressure, like a bar or box, under the rear of the seat cushion that presses into my tailbone and the back of the seat bones. This is not delayed fatigue after a long trip. It is immediate. I have tried multiple combinations of seat height, tilt, recline, and lumbar. None of them remove the ridge. This vehicle has only about 900 miles. The sensation has not broken in or gone away. The seat is the ventilated (cooled) leather seat that is standard on TrailSport Elite. The hard spot is consistent with the ventilation housing/fan box under the cushion at the junction of the seat bottom and seatback. The sensation becomes like “sitting on a box,” tailbone/coccyx pressure and the need to shift constantly while driving.

NHTSA ID

11768840

Incident

Oct 4, 2026

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

On 8/23/26 with 700 miles the panoramic shade would not close all the way. When used the button to retract, there was some loud clicking. I was able to guide the shade to close, but the shade has a sag on the front right.

NHTSA ID

11760780

Incident

Aug 23, 2026