The 2019 Honda Passport shares the proven 3.5L V6 and 9-speed automatic with the Pilot, and while generally reliable, it suffers from the same transmission oil cooler failures and occasional catastrophic engine issues tied to fuel dilution in cold climates. Most units are solid daily drivers, but the severe cases can be wallet-emptying.
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking from cooler area at front of transmission, Transmission overheating warnings or limp mode, Pink/red fluid pooling under vehicle after sitting, Harsh shifts or delayed engagement when hot
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler assembly, flush transmission. Requires dropping front subframe and disassembly of cooler lines. 4-6 hours labor depending on rust and access.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Fuel Dilution Leading to Engine Failure (Cold Climate)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil level rising on dipstick over time (smells like fuel), Rough idle or misfire codes (cylinder washdown), Metallic knocking from bottom end, Sudden catastrophic bearing failure with no warning, Check engine light with multiple misfire codes
Fix: Direct-injection engines running frequent cold short trips allow fuel to wash cylinders and dilute oil. Once bearings score, needs complete engine rebuild or replacement short block. Software update TSB 19-048 helps but doesn't eliminate risk. 18-25 hours labor for rebuild, 12-16 for short block swap.
Estimated cost: $6,500-11,000
Transmission Mount Failure (Torque Damper)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking on acceleration or deceleration, Vibration felt through shifter or center console, Excessive driveline movement visible when revving in park, Thud when shifting from reverse to drive
Fix: Replace transmission torque damper mount (upper mount). Access from top, one of the easier mounts. 1.5-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Fuel Pump Failure (In-Tank)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: No start or extended crank time when hot, Stalling at idle or low speed after highway run, Sputtering under load or acceleration, Fuel pressure dropping below spec (should be 58-64 psi), May be intermittent at first, then total failure
Fix: Drop fuel tank and replace pump module assembly. Honda issued recalls for some VINs (check NHTSA database), but not all affected units were covered. 3-4 hours labor including tank removal.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Backup Camera Failures / Display Issues
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Backup camera screen goes black or stays on Honda logo, Guidelines missing or flickering, Camera image freezes or displays 'no signal', Software glitch causing display reboot when shifting to reverse
Fix: Often software-related (TSB and recall coverage for some VINs). If hardware, replace camera or display unit. Software flash: 0.5 hours, camera replacement: 1-2 hours, display unit: 2-3 hours.
Estimated cost: $150-1,500
VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) Carbon Buildup
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle when VCM activates (3-cylinder mode), Hesitation or stumble during light throttle, Check engine light with misfire codes on cylinders 1, 2, or 3, Loss of power on highway merges
Fix: Direct injection causes intake valve carbon. Walnut blast cleaning of intake valves required. Some owners disable VCM with aftermarket tuner to prevent recurrence. Cleaning: 4-6 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Owner tips
If you live where winters dip below 20°F and make short trips under 10 miles, check oil level every 500 miles and change oil every 3,000-4,000 miles regardless of monitor—fuel dilution kills engines
Flush transmission fluid at 50,000 miles and inspect cooler for seepage—catching it early saves the transmission
Use Top Tier gasoline and occasional Italian tune-up (sustained highway run at 4,000+ RPM) to keep valves cleaner in this direct-injection motor
Check for open recalls on your VIN—fuel pump and camera issues had partial recall coverage
Solid SUV for warm climates or long-distance commuters, but cold-climate short-trippers should budget for premature oil changes and possible engine work—buy one with full service records and avoid high-mileage examples with unknown history.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · 23V431000
2023-06-15
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD · 21V932000
2021-11-29
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
Consequence: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
TIRES · 21V165000
2021-03-11
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Consequence: Overcured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation, which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2021. Owners may contact American Honda Motor Co. customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UA2.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 20V439000
2020-07-28
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 20V440000
2020-07-28
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."
Consequence: A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Y7Y.
STRUCTURE:BODY · 19V784000
2019-10-31
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Pilot and 2019 Passport vehicles. The front frame left and right side upper members may not have been welded completely to the unibody. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 219, "Windshield Zone Intrusion."
Consequence: In the event of a crash, incomplete body welding may provide inadequate protection to occupants, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing welds, free of charge. If the vehicle is identified as missing welds, the dealer will offer to repurchase the vehicle or provide a similar replacement vehicle. Owner notification began November 6 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X6J.
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