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Honda Passport check engine light comes on

48 of the 1,700 owner complaints about the Honda Passport describe check engine light, most of them for the 2001 model year.

owner complaints
48
worst model year
2001
typical repair cost reported
$1,000
typical mileage
73,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Engine failure 6Loss of power 5Jerking 5Stalling 4Knocking 4Won't start 3ABS 3Warning lights 2

Trouble codes mentioned

P1171 1P1170 1P0304 1

What owners say

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Passport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights illuminated, and the message that the safety features were deactivated was displayed on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered a discount on the repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failure in the camera for the safety features. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Engine · 23,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, upon acceleration from a complete stop, the vehicle shifted into neutral and would not shift into drive. When the failure occurred, the contact was forced to restart the vehicle before continuing to drive. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where a diagnostic evaluation was performed; however, the vehicle was not repaired as the contact was advised that the failure was not duplicable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2026 · Engine · CA

The vehicle experienced a sudden internal mechanical failure while driving, resulting in loss of propulsion and complete engine failure. The vehicle was towed to an authorized franchised dealership service center (Gardena Honda) for inspection. No check engine lights, warning lights or any pile pressure warning! Oil change was 2,500 miles until next service. Upon complete teardown and diagnostic inspection, factory-certified technicians confirmed internal engine damage, specifically connecting rod bearing failure leading to a seized engine requiring a complete engine replacement ($9,375.00 total repair cost). This internal failure presents a severe safety hazard: an unexpected engine stall or lockup at highway speeds risks loss of power steering, loss of power brakes, and an immediate crash. Symptoms align directly with the federal safety agency Recall 23V‑751 and ongoing federal investigations regarding Honda 3.5L V6 engine connecting rod bearing failures, where out-of-spec manufacturing leads to premature bearing wear and sudden engine seizure. The vehicle is maintained according to manufacturer specifications and has 55,649 miles. The failed components remain preserved at the dealership service department for federal or manufacturer inspection upon request.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 30,600 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2025 Honda Passport. The contact stated that while stopped at a stoplight, the contact attempted to accelerate; however, the Start/Stop system failed to restart the engine. The check engine warning light illuminated, and there was an alarm sounded. The message "Shift to Park" was displayed; but the gear shifter failed to shift into park. The brake pedal was depressed with excessive force and waited for a while before the vehicle was shifted into drive and the vehicle was driven forward. The vehicle was driven to the desired destination and shifted into park. The dealer was contacted and an appointment was scheduled. The failure mileage was 30,600.

Filed Jul 30, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CO

The vehicle experienced a catastrophic internal engine failure caused by connecting rod bearing failure. Prior to the failure, the engine developed abnormal internal knocking/noise, indicating bearing deterioration. The engine is currently available for inspection. While traveling approximately 55 mph on [XXX], the check engine warning light illuminated. Within about one mile, the engine rapidly lost power and developed a severe knocking noise. The sudden loss of power at highway speed created a serious safety hazard by reducing my ability to maintain traffic speed and safely maneuver the vehicle. I had my child in the vehicle, and both we and surrounding motorists were placed at risk of a collision while I attempted to move to exit traffic. The failure has been confirmed by an independent repair facility, Absolute Automotive LLC in Parker, Colorado. Their inspection determined the engine suffered internal damage due to connecting rod bearing failure. I have the engine replacement invoice, technician's diagnostic notes, and photographs documenting the engine damage. The vehicle has not been inspected by Honda. I contacted Honda to report the failure and request assistance, but I was informed there was no recall for the 2021 Honda Passport equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine and that Honda would not provide assistance unless a recall existed. Before the engine failed completely, the engine developed abnormal internal knocking/noise. While driving on [XXX], the check engine warning light illuminated, and within approximately one mile the engine lost power and produced a heavy knocking noise, rendering the vehicle unsafe to operate. I am submitting this complaint because a sudden internal engine failure resulting in loss of power at highway speeds presents a significant safety hazard and should be investigated. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CO

On July 11, 2026, while driving, the vehicle suddenly experienced multiple system failures. The dashboard illuminated with numerous warning lights, including a flashing check engine light, indicating multiple system malfunctions. The vehicle was towed to the dealer due to the severity of the issue. It is currently at the dealership for inspection and diagnosis. I have not yet received a diagnosis or confirmation of the failed component(s) from the dealer. No warning lights, messages, or symptoms appeared prior to the sudden failure. The abrupt illumination of multiple warning lights while driving created a significant safety concern regarding the reliability of critical vehicle systems.

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · FL

I drive the car with the engine-idle-at-stop function disengaged. Several times when slowing down, but still moving, the car shifts into park; the AC and radio remain on. I have to press engine start to start the engine. Several other times when already stopped, such as at a red light or in traffic, waiting to make a turn, the engine shuts off and the car shifts into park. I have to press the engine start button to turn the car back on. I am getting honked and hollered at in traffic, and could easily be vulnerable to being rear-ended when my moving car suddently turns off ad stops running (winds up in Park). A non-dealer ran diagnostics and found No History of any error codes, and the system worked when they drove it. The day before the non-dealer had the car, it shut off 2 times in about 2 miles. He said the New battery is fine, the alternator is fine, and they do not know what to troubleshoot. No lights light up prior to the incidents, but they light up momentarily during it: it is the "Charging System Indicator" and the "Malfunction Indicator Lamp" that light up. The new battery is one week old and installed as per the owner's manual and was checked by a 3rd party today. These events have occurred with both the original and new batteries. All of this has been over the past few months, with most incidents - an escalation - the past couple of weeks.

Filed May 6, 2026 · Engine · 90,212 miles · OH

My 2021 Honda Passport Elite suffered cataphoric engine failure at 90,000 miles. The 6th cylinder bearing was missing when my vehicle was towed into Honda for diagnosis after my engine shut off while I was traveling 55 mph. I had no warnings for this failure including no engine noises and no check engine lights. I had to have a new engine put in my vehicle and Honda refused to cover the cost at 100% because they stated there were no open recalls at this time. I feel this is a manufacturer engine defect that is the same as the open recall defect Honda has on the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Pilots with the same 3.5-liter V6. The engine failure descriptions are exactly the same.

Filed Mar 19, 2026 · Transmission · MD

Problem started at 11,000 miles as very minor and has become progressively worse up to the now 32,000. Vehicle has been to dealerships 5 times with no repair performed. THE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE: Hesitation and gear searching on acceleration. Intermittent acuity. 3 times I needed to accelerate quickly in order to merge with 40 mph traffic from a stop sign. I stepped on the throttle and the vehicle lurched into traffic then lost power and gear searched for 3 seconds creating a potentially very serious incident. Once the gear engaged, the vehicle took off at a high rate of acceleration and speed causing yet another unsafe condition and making me look like a maniac. THE OTHER SYMPTOMS: 1) Hard Starting, sometimes vehicle seems to sputter, sometimes it revs hard on startup 2) Vehicle sometimes enters some kind of error state similar to the vehicle not being in park when the engine is shut down. An audible alarm sounds, like when the lights are left on or a key is left in the car, and the vehicle refuses to lock the doors on its own as usual. Visual inspection by the driver reveals nothing appears to be wrong. Lights are off, no key left, vehicle is in park. Powering back on, checking park indicator and turning back off seems to reset this condition. 3) Inconsistent accelerator pedal input. Sometimes the vehicle goes much harder or seems to be held back by something at other times. 4) Erratic torque distribution for AWD. Viewed from dash torque distribution readout. AWD engages 100% at all wheels at times of very light throttle on dry pavement. 5) Engine just sounds terrible at idle and at times of hard acceleration. 6) Rough acceleration. Choppy gear shifts. 7) Vehicle continues to push forward under power when throttle is lifted and brakes are applied causing harder than usual brake pedal pressure to be necessary and inconsistent vehicle slowing. 8) No CEL is on. 9) Constant minor weaving due to inconsistent AWD torque delivery. PROBLEM IS ONGOING

Filed Feb 26, 2026 · Driver assistance · PA

2025 Honda Passport with 10k miles ***Braking issues - -Collision Mitigation System going off randomly and often, with no oncoming traffic, no obstacles or obstructions. -Phantom braking and “BRAKE” warning/steering wheel shake. Occurs often on windy, hilly roads with sharp curves, often to the right. Branches, guard rails, etc will activate the system at high speeds 50 mph and over, causing serious safety concerns of the vehicle stopping for no true cause. -White cars in oncoming traffic seemingly activate the “BRAKE” warning on occasion. -“BRAKE” warning went off and significantly slowed the car when a water filled pothole was to the right. -Issues have occurred with no cars ahead of the Passport. ***Engine issues after getting fuel - -After getting gas, check engine, power steering, and battery light will sometimes turn on. Only resolution is to restart the vehicle. -Brake pedal was also hard/stuck after getting gas, and vehicle could not be turned on until brake was pushed extremely hard/pumped. Power steering light came on after this incident. ***Lights- -Automatic adjusting high beams turn on and off erratically. Cannot use the automated system. ***Transmission- -Engine braking downhill on one or two occasions would not allow car to shift back up. Had to use paddle shifters to get the car moving again. Dealership cannot replicate these issues on a short ride with their tech, therefore the vehicle is “fine.”

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported July 19, 1994 · 122,297 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Constant expansion and contraction of the cylinder head causes the camshaft seal end plug can become dislodged from the cylinder head. This allows oil to leak from the camshaft.
Risk
This can cause engine damage and possible engine fire from oil leaking onto the hot exhaust system.
Remedy
Dealers will install camshaft end seal plug retainer plates.

Recall number 94V132000 · Recall details

Questions about the Honda Passport check engine light

Why does the check engine light come on in the Honda Passport?

Owners who report it most often also describe engine failure, sudden loss of power and jerking or lurching, and the codes they mention most are P1171, P1170 and P0304.

Which Honda Passport years have check engine light problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2001 (7 complaints), 2019 (6 complaints) and 1999 (5 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the Honda Passport?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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