MODEL
Honda Passport
NHTSA safety across every Honda Passport model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Honda Passport we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 91 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2021 at 73. 37 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Honda Passport is a five-seat, two-row midsize SUV positioned between the compact CR-V and the three-row Pilot in Honda's lineup. Aimed at active adults and small families who want a capable, road-trip-ready vehicle without the bulk of a full-size hauler, the Passport competes in one of the most contested segments in the American market. Its safety record is a central part of the ownership conversation.
The Honda Passport earns its strongest safety marks in its most recent model year, posting a MotorCaliber Safety Index of 91 out of 100 for 2025 and landing in our Exceptional band. That is a meaningful high point for a nameplate whose scores across the 2019-to-2025 range have spanned Exceptional, Strong, and Average, so year of manufacture genuinely matters when you are shopping used. In crash testing, the Passport's best results show a perfect 5-out-of-5 stars in the side-impact category, a solid 4-out-of-5 frontally, and a 4-out-of-5 in rollover resistance, which is a reasonable result for a body-on-frame-adjacent SUV of this size and ride height. Where the picture gets more complicated is in the recall and complaint data. Across the covered model years, NHTSA records 37 recalls, a figure that is notably elevated and warrants careful attention when cross-checking any specific vehicle by VIN before purchase. Owner complaints total 610, including 23 reported crashes and 19 reported injuries. These are unverified allegations, but the volume is worth acknowledging. The honest bottom line: a 2025 Passport represents the safest version of this model, and the crash-test trajectory is encouraging. Buyers considering earlier model years should audit the recall history carefully and verify that all open recalls have been completed.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Passport as a well-rounded midsize SUV that strikes a practical balance between everyday usability and light off-road capability. Most praise its composed driving character and interior space for a two-row layout. Some note that it occupies an unusual niche within Honda's own SUV family, which can make the value proposition feel less clear-cut compared to segment rivals.
- Safety scores vary meaningfully by model year. The 2025 Passport reaches our Exceptional band with a 91 Safety Index, but earlier years have landed as low as our Average band, so always check the specific year you are considering.
- Thirty-seven recalls across the 2019-to-2025 model years is a high count for this segment. Before buying any Passport, run the VIN through NHTSA's free recall lookup tool to confirm all open recalls have been remedied by a dealer.
- Side-impact crash protection is the Passport's strongest crash-test result, earning a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in its best-tested year. Frontal and rollover protection both land at 4 out of 5, which is competent but not class-leading.
- The 610 owner complaints on record include 23 reported crashes and 19 reported injuries. These are unverified allegations filed with NHTSA, not confirmed incidents, but the numbers suggest that real-world safety concerns have been raised by owners across this generation and are worth monitoring.
Most-recalled year on record: 2020 Honda Passport with 10 recalls.