YearToAvoid

2020 Honda Passport Electrical System Problems

Electrical System complaints make up 30 of 100 total complaints (30%) for the 2020 Honda Passport, with a median failure mileage of 4,600 miles. A related recall (20V439000) covers faulty instrument panel software on 2019-2020 Passport models.

Electrical System complaints
30
30% of 100
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
4,600 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Infotainment system repeatedly shuts down mid-drive, sometimes preceded by loud speaker popping or static and a "network communication lost" or "signal lost" message.
  • Auto idle-stop/start-stop system shuts the engine off at stop lights or in stopped traffic and the vehicle fails to restart on the first or second attempt, requiring the driver to fully power off and wait.
  • Owners report unexpected battery drain and repeated battery failures, including replacement batteries failing again within a couple of years.
  • Backup camera and safety systems tied to the main infotainment screen go dark along with the display during shutdown events.
  • One owner reported the vehicle went to neutral and lost steering ability during a shutdown episode linked to the auto-restart system.
  • A driver's side headlamp developed internal moisture that froze and scattered light, drawing flashing-light warnings from oncoming traffic.

When 2020 Honda Passport electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 1, 2020, latest Sep 14, 2026.

2020 Honda Passport electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month4Jul 2020Mar 2021Mar 2023Jan 2024Dec 2024Aug 2025Dec 2025Sep 2026
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2020 (4).

Electrical System recalls for the 2020 Honda Passport

  1. NHTSA 20V439000Jul 28, 2020Electrical System607,786 vehicles

    Electrical system:software

    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."

    Risk: 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 complaints by Passport model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201987 (32%)
  2. 202030 (30%)
  3. 202127 (19%)
  4. 202215 (25%)
  5. 20236 (15%)
  6. 20243 (18%)
  7. 202517 (44%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2020 Honda Passport?
NHTSA lists 30 Electrical System complaints for the 2020 Passport, which is 30% of the 100 total complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do 2020 Passport electrical failures typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2020 Passport is 4,600 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Honda Passport's electrical system?
Yes. Recall 20V439000, reported 2020-07-28, covers incorrect instrument panel control module software that can cause the instrument panel display to fail; it does not carry a do-not-drive or park-outside order.
How does the 2020 Passport compare to other years for electrical complaints?
The 2020 Passport's 30% share is close to the 2019 model's 32% but higher than 2021 (19%), 2022 (25%), and 2023 (15%), though 2025 is highest at 44%.
Have the electrical issues caused crashes or fires?
NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries linked to the 30 Electrical System complaints for the 2020 Passport.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.