Problems · by component

2020 Honda Passport electrical system problems

32 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2020 Honda Passport cite electrical system, 31% of all 104 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
32
31% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“My 2020 Honda Passport (approximately 52,000 miles) has experienced recurring Auto Idle Stop/engine restart failures in May 2023, November 2024, and October 2026, despite multiple repairs by an authorized Honda dealership. The latest incident occurred in October 2026, immediately after a routine state inspection. While stopped with my foot on the brake, the dashboard unexpectedly displayed "N" (Neutral) and instructed me to remove my foot from the accelerator, although I was not accelerating. The electronic gear selector would not respond, requiring me to turn off the vehicle. Shortly afterward, while stopped at a traffic light, the brake pedal became extremely stiff, and the engine would not restart. The dashboard, radio, and other accessories remained operational. The battery warning light appeared only during restart attempts. I eventually restarted the vehicle and returned home. These failures pose a serious safety risk, potentially leaving the vehicle immobilized in active traffic and compromising normal brake assistance. In May 2023, Honda performed a PGM-FI software update under Service Bulletin 23-008. When the problem returned in November 2024, Honda…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11771608
“The improperly designed or manufactured MOST coaxial cable can deform its terminals. This leads to intermittent connection losses between the audio display unit and the vehicle cable connector. If connection loss lasts for more than 20 seconds while the vehicle is in reverse, the rearview camera image fails to display. This increases the risk of a crash or injury. Honda issued a recall notice to replace with a new harness. The replacement did not fix the underlying problem. Our vehicle was “repaired” under the recall but the problem persisted. We were told by our local Honda dealership that we would need to replace the entire AV system to remediate the issue. We paid to have that work done, and the issue has started again. The dealership called Honda to consult with its technicians and they say that the issue is caused by the replacement harness. The work completed under the recall did not remediate the underlying safety issue, we paid thousands of dollars to try to fix it, and are now being told we would have to pay $5000 to repair a manufacturing defect”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Electrical systemODI 11768131
“This is the third time that the Auto Idle Engine has caused an issue while driving. If I attempt to turn the system off at a stop light it will automatically force my car into neutral and will not allow me to put my car back into drive. I have to turn the car off completely which it also does NOT allow easily and takes several attempts while I’m sitting in the middle of the road with my hazards on and praying I don’t get rear ended! Once I finally get the car to turn off it then allows me to restart and drive again. This should not be happening and is very unsafe yet when I took it into Honda they couldn’t replicate the issue so they said they couldn’t fix it even though it is a very common and known problem with the Auto Idle Engine!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2026Electrical systemODI 11767136
“Vehicle has excessive battery drain at times. Auto start-stop causes car to stop in traffic and difficult to restart. The original battery was replaced at 3 1/2 years of age. The replacement battery failed after about 2 years of service and replaced under warranty. That battery has now failed again. The car is a little over 6 years old and by all rights should only now need a replacement battery. I suspect parasitic drain problem but the dealer has only replaced the battery and no other parts I'm aware of.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2026Electrical systemODI 11764118
“This is a failure of 2019-2020 Passport Pilot MOST Bus Network Recall of 2021. My Passport was serviced for 23-047 1923 FAKRA Service Cables at MOST Bus Network on October 26, 2023. The system has failed again. The Most system has popping, crackling and then goes out. Takes several minutes to recover. Presents the same safety hazard as the original recall I have video which I will show to the dealer on Thursday September 10, 2026”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11762440
“I own a 2020 Honda Passport Elite with approximately 63,000 miles. The infotainment display intermittently goes completely black while driving. When this occurs, the rearview camera also becomes unavailable. I have also experienced crackling or electrical-type noise through the speakers during the problem. The problem is intermittent. The system may operate normally for an extended period and then suddenly fail. On several occasions, the display went black, returned to normal, and then went black again several times while driving. After the vehicle was stopped and later restarted, the system returned to normal operation. This is a safety concern because the rearview camera can become unavailable, particularly when the vehicle is being operated normally and the driver cannot predict when the failure will occur. Honda Safety Recall 23-047 was previously performed on this vehicle. I contacted American Honda Customer Service, and Honda's records show that the recall repair was completed on June 30, 2023. Honda currently shows no open recall or warranty coverage for this problem. The symptoms I am now experiencing are similar to those associated with the MOST…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2026Electrical systemODI 11761808

Showing 6 of 32 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: software

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Electrical systemReported Jul 28, 2020NHTSA 20V440000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2020 Passport problem areas