NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Honda Passport Safety Ratings
The 2021 Honda Passport scores 73 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 7 recalls, and 127 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Honda Passport's NHTSA Safety Index of 73/100 positions it in the Average band, a notable decline from the 2020 model's 81/100 Strong rating. This reduction is primarily attributable to a weaker defect record. While not alarming, the overall safety profile for this model year presents a mixed picture.
The 2021 Honda Passport holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 73 out of 100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars, based on federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Honda Passport ranks 103 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 73 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 17.4% |
| Recalls on file | 7 |
| Owner complaints | 127 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 103 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Honda Passport?
The 2021 Honda Passport's defect record poses a significant concern, with 7 recall campaigns contributing to a low 7.25 out of 20 in that category. This poor showing is a primary factor in the model year's Safety Index of 73/100, an 8-point decline from the 2020 Passport's 81/100. While the Passport achieved a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, its crash protection score of 61 out of 70 points is diminished by other factors. The vehicle's avoidance technology only scores 5 out of 10, largely due to the absence of forward collision warning as a listed feature for this model year, despite lane departure warning being standard. The recalls for the 2021 Passport cover critical areas, including frame integrity, two separate air bag sensor systems, fuel delivery, and brake master cylinder hardware. Adding to these concerns, 46 owner complaints specifically cite issues with Forward Collision Avoidance, a system not officially listed as available for this model year. This cluster of complaints warrants close attention as recall remedies are implemented.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Honda Passport perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Honda Passport achieved a 5 out of 5 star overall safety rating from NHTSA. While its side impact protection earned a perfect 5 stars, both frontal crash and rollover resistance were rated at 4 out of 5 stars. The rollover risk, based on federal testing, stands at 17 percent, with dynamic tip testing concluding favorably with a "No Tip" outcome.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15370
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Honda Passport have any recalls?
Yes, the 2021 Honda Passport carries 7 recall campaigns. Components addressed include the structural frame and members, two separate frontal-passenger air bag occupant classification sensors, the gasoline fuel pump delivery system, and the hydraulic brake master cylinder. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the data provided, but owners should verify current remedy status by VIN through NHTSA.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS26V365000
Risk: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888
Reported 2026-06-04
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER26V332000
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involve
Reported 2026-05-21
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER24V064000
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Reported 2024-02-01
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP23V858000
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Reported 2023-12-18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER23V458000
Risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
Reported 2023-06-29
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION23V431000
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
Reported 2023-06-15
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR23V174000
Risk: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
Reported 2023-03-16
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Honda Passport?
NHTSA has logged 127 unverified consumer complaints against the 2021 Passport. The most frequently alleged problem area is Forward Collision Avoidance with 46 reported incidents, followed by Service Brakes, Electrical System, and Power Train at 21 each, and Engine at 20. These are unverified allegations, not established defects.
127 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Honda Passport?
Any shopper considering a used 2021 Passport should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase. With 7 recall campaigns on record, including frame, air bag sensor, fuel pump, and brake master cylinder issues, confirming which remedies have been completed at the dealer level is the single most important safety step.
- The 2021 Passport's Safety Index dropped 8 points from the 2020 model year, falling from 81/100 Strong to 73/100 Average, with the defect record component scoring only 7.25 out of 20 due to 7 active recall campaigns.
- Forward collision warning is not available on the 2021 Passport, which holds the avoidance technology score to 5 out of 10 and is notable given that 46 unverified consumer complaints specifically allege Forward Collision Avoidance problems.
- Two of the seven recalls address frontal-passenger air bag occupant classification sensors, one issued in 2024 and one in 2026, meaning remedy completion on newer campaigns may still be in progress for many vehicles.
- The structural frame recall, issued in 2026 and covering 2019-2023 Passports, is among the most recent campaigns and used-market buyers should treat confirmation of its remedy status as a priority check before any purchase.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Honda Passport places
The 2021 Honda Passport qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Honda Passport safety questions
Was the 2021 Honda Passport crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Honda Passport, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 73 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Honda Passport crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Honda Passport earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 17.4%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Passport have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 7 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Honda Passport. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Honda Passport?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 127 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Honda Passport. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Passport years
Rivals in SUV (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15370), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Honda Passport 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 103 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.