Honda Passport won't start problems

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NY

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.

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Engine · CA

The car is experiencing intermittent no start. The auto idle system doesn't always restart the engine from a full stop. Causing the car to turn off and having to be restarted multiple times.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · IL

When at a stop or red light, the Honda 2025 passport trail sport stops and shifts into Neutral, the Auto Idle Stop system turns off, car would not start until I put it into park and turn it off, open and close door, turn on again. It started July 18, 2026 and it keeps happening, this morning too 10/13/26.

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Fuel system · VA

When we come to a stop position, the Fuel Savings Cut off does not start back up and the car stalls and shifts back to N. Takes for ever to re start if it can re start. This has happened to us more that 6 times. I took it this morning to Flow Honda of Charlottesville and talked to the service manager, Jackie. I felt like she thought I had three heads and didn't know what I was talking about, even though I enclosed a printed copy of the issues Honda was having with the Fuel Savings feature cut off.

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Electrical · CA

My 2022 Honda Passport EX-L began experiencing intermittent starting problems in July 2025, including hesitation and clicking sounds. The battery was replaced in July 2025, but the problem continued. The main safety concern involves the Idle Start Stop system. When the engine shuts off while stopped at a traffic light, releasing the brake pedal does not always cause the vehicle to restart normally. At times it struggles or fails to restart, requiring a manual restart. This can leave the vehicle unable to move in active traffic and create a collision hazard. On September 1, 2026, at 61,133 miles, an authorized Honda dealer inspected the vehicle and confirmed the concern. The technician documented that it would not start or would struggle to restart after Idle Start Stop activation, found the starter weak, and recommended replacement. I paid $200 for the diagnosis. Honda Corporate advised that another software/system update was applicable and had not yet been performed; an earlier update was reportedly performed in 2023. Honda also advised that replacement starters were backordered/out of stock. The starter was repaired by an independent shop on September 10, 2026. Honda advised that the starter was not covered because the warranty had expired. I asked whether it would have been covered if the warranty were still active, and Honda stated it would not because the condition is not a recall. No police or insurance inspection occurred. The vehicle was inspected by Honda and serviced by an independent repair facility. Repair documentation is available. No warning lamp or message was observed. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether this is a safety-related defect involving the starter, Idle Start Stop system, software, electrical system, or related components. I have invoices of the cost associated with the battery replacement and stater repair.

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MO

The Auto Idle Stop feature failed to restart the car after sitting at a stoplight twice this past week. The dealer (Frank Leta Hoda) diagnosed the problem as a "bad starter". I believe this falls under the active investigation EA22005 - No Start After Auto Start/Stop Engages. The vehicle is two years old with 40,378 miles at the time of reporting the problem to the dealer. I reported this to Honda Corp and was assigned case number 16619534 which is being reviewed. The two incidents happened without warning during drives when I had already pushed the button to disengage the Auto Idle Stop feature and was not expecting the engine to turn off at all.

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Transmission · GA

The 9-speed transmission in my vehicle has been acting very strange after owning it since March 2026.These issues did not start until May 2026. When driving the vehicle at low speeds (under 30mph) the transmission is very jumpy and jerky. When you let off the gas the vehicle rocks back and forth and the rpms drop dramatically. It often feels like the transmission is skipping gears. I took my vehicle to the honda dealership to address the issue and they said there was nothing they could do to fix or look into my issue. I am very upset and I feel like I’ve been cheated out of my hard earned money. Honda needs to address this issue and provide relief for all of the owners who are in the same predicament. Be accountable Honda!

Filed Aug 13, 2026 · Electrical · FL

My car has 22,000 miles in it, and maybe around 19,000 miles my starter was already weak. I barely use my car, and one time I used it and my car won't start at all. I almost got stranded. Luckily it turned on, and I was near my house. This could've happen in the middle of nowhere and get me stranded. I don't feel safe driving this now if im not sure. I thought this was supposed to be a reliable car!

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TX

My 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite has twice applied its brakes on its own, with no obstacle, vehicle, or hazard in front of me to justify braking. On July 13, 2026, at approximately 5:36 p.m., I was driving in evening traffic when the vehicle suddenly braked hard on its own. Nothing was in front of me. The car behind me nearly rear-ended me and had to brake sharply to avoid a collision, and the driver reacted with road rage. On July 16, 2026, at approximately 6:03 p.m., my young son was in the vehicle with me. While I was driving in traffic, the vehicle again braked on its own with no obstacle ahead. A sedan behind me nearly rear-ended me. This sudden, uncommanded braking happens without warning while I am driving in traffic and has nearly caused a rear-end collision on both occasions. It is terrifying and I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle, especially with my child. The same vehicle also has ongoing electrical and drive-power failures (loss of power while driving, repeated stalling in reverse, and complete no-start events) that I have reported separately. Three dealerships have been unable to identify or correct the problems. No crash has occurred yet, but only because the drivers behind me reacted in time. The vehicle is available for inspection.

Filed Jul 19, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NC

Honda has a recall on certain vin numbers for the starter. My starter i was told to replace at a $2500 fee from reggie jackson honda in raleigh nc. I had to visit the dealership 3 times, they said its the battery, replaced the battery at my cost, now they said its the starter. They said there is a recall but my vin number was not included in the recall. The starter is worn out from the auto start and stop feature at stop lights. My issue is it will stop at a stop light and it wont start again then a warning comes on the screen about collision detection issue, then the warning goes away quickly and eventually i will get it to start but it is a safety issue that honda is aware of. I am asking honda to do partial credit on repair costs, but i dont understand why my vin number was excluded. The managers name was ruben lopez who informed me that the starter is causing issues, and sometimes its the battery, but that my vin wasnt covered. I just want my vehicle to not get stuck at after stopping in traffic when honda knows of the issue it should be covered for a lifetime warranty or recall. The stopping issue where it wont start again happens approximately 1 time per month, and seems to be in warmer weather but i cannot confirm this nor do i keep an exact log of when it happens. Thank you.