MODEL
Honda Passport Safety
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. 38 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.
For the 2025 model year, the Honda Passport reaches an exceptional safety standing, earning a NHTSA Safety Index of 91 out of 100. This places it in our highest safety band, a significant improvement from previous Passport iterations that have ranged across Exceptional, Strong, and Average. This upward trajectory in safety performance underscores the importance of model year when evaluating a used Passport. In federal crash testing, the 2025 Passport achieved a perfect 5-out-of-5-star rating for side-impact protection. Frontal crash tests yielded a solid 4-out-of-5 stars. Its rollover resistance also rated 4-out-of-5 stars, which is a reasonable outcome for an SUV of this size and ride height. The picture shifts when examining recall and owner complaint data. Across the 2019-2025 model years, the Passport is associated with 37 recalls. This elevated number necessitates thorough VIN verification for any specific vehicle prior to purchase. Owner complaints total 610, including 23 reported crashes and 19 reported injuries. While these are unverified allegations, their volume is a data point for consideration. The 2025 Passport represents the safest version of this model; buyers considering earlier model years must audit the recall history and confirm all open recalls are resolved.
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.