YearToAvoid

2021 Honda Passport Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 22 brake complaints for the 2021 Honda Passport, 16% of its 141 total complaints for the year, with 2 crashes reported. A related recall (23V458000) covers a brake booster tie rod fastener issue on 2021-2023 Passport models.

Brakes complaints
22
16% of 141
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
400 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Drivers report the collision mitigation braking system (CMBS) activating on its own with no obstruction present, causing sudden hard braking.
  • Some owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor without stopping the vehicle, including one case where the car surged forward into a garage wall.
  • Several complaints describe automatic emergency braking triggering on highways and neighborhood streets, nearly causing rear-end collisions.
  • One owner reported the brake pedal feeling stiff or locked when starting the car cold, which resolved after using remote start.
  • A separate complaint described the infotainment system freezing followed by a total loss of brake function that led to a crash.
  • One driver reported the brakes locking up intermittently at a stoplight, preventing a gradual stop.

When 2021 Honda Passport brake complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 7, 2021, latest Aug 30, 2026.

2021 Honda Passport brakes complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2021Dec 2022Apr 2024Sep 2024Mar 2025Jan 2026
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2021 to Aug 2026; peak Apr 2024 (3).

Brakes recalls for the 2021 Honda Passport

  1. NHTSA 23V458000Jun 29, 2023Brakes124,077 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.

    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.

Brakes complaints by Passport model year

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

  1. 201925 (9%)
  2. 20209 (9%)
  3. 202122 (16%)
  4. 20229 (15%)
  5. 202310 (26%)
  6. 20249 (53%)
  7. 20252 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2021 Honda Passport?
NHTSA lists 22 brake-related complaints for the 2021 Passport, which is 16% of the 141 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2021 Honda Passport?
Yes. Recall 23V458000, reported June 29, 2023, covers a tie rod fastener connecting the brake booster on 2021-2023 Passport and several other Honda/Acura models; dealers inspect and repair the brake booster assembly free of charge.
Have the brake issues caused any crashes?
NHTSA data shows 2 crashes tied to brake complaints for the 2021 Passport, with no fires or injuries reported.
What is the most common brake complaint pattern?
The most frequently described pattern is unexpected activation of the collision mitigation or automatic emergency braking system with no obstacle present, causing sudden hard stops.
At what mileage do brake problems typically appear?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 400 miles for brake complaints on the 2021 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.