Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Honda Passport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Pulling into home garage vehicle suddenly surged forward. Brakes were applied and the brake peddle went to the floor and did not engage brakes to stop the Passport. Effects were the Passport crashed into a refrigerator we had there to handle over flow and crushed the refrigerator and knocked a hole in the wall of the garage. No warning or alarms sounded which Honda said does not happen at low speeds. Took Passport to local dealer. They kept it for 1 week and just drove it around trying to see if it would replicate what had happened. It did not replicate what happen insinuated that it must not have happen the way we reported it. Gave them internet copies of similiar reports that had occurred to same make and model . They gave us 2 choices go into another lease (which would go from 350 a month to 565 a month with no proceeds from present lease. We brought the passport home. …
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Passport. The contact stated while driving at a slow speed, the brake pedal would intermittently fail to operate as needed without warning. The contact stated that he had to repeatedly pump the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was made to inspect the braking system. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 400. Incident happened twice. Vehicle failed to stop when brakes were applied, brakes were applied several times before it stopped without a collision. Second incident happened while consumer shifted the gear in reverse in the parking lot brakes applied would not work. Consumer hit the bollard in front of the parking lot. Speed was approximately 5-10mph. Odometer reading was about 1600. …
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Passport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop light, the brake pedal was depressed, and the wheels locked up. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to come to a gradual stop. The contact was able to continue driving after the brakes had been released. The failure occurred intermittently. The service brake warning light was illuminated. The dealer was unable to reproduce the failure and the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
The vehicle infotainment system froze. Several minutes later after driving, I pressed the brakes but they did not function. The vehicle would not stop and crashed into the vehicle in front of me. Emergency braking did not engage or otherwise show signs of activation. After turning off the car and dealing with the accident, I restarted the vehicle and the brakes and infotainment system operated normally.
I purchased a used 2021 Passport the end of May 2025. While driving, the 'collision mitigation braking system' or CMBS would activate the braking system and would intermittently just brake, causing panic for not only myself, but I'm sure drivers behind me for suddenly braking with no imminent threat in from of me. This happened multiple times without receiving any warning or notifications, just suddenly. It would happen without warning, or sometimes nearing a bridge or a cover plate on the road, which almost caused accidents multiple times to get rear ended. I have driven for decades and never felt anxiety until I drove this vehicle for a few months. I felt scared driving this vehicle, feeling uncertain when it would suddenly just brake. Eventually after a few months of driving, I got a reading that said CMBS problem on the screen. I scheduled an appointment with the dealer. …
I have encountered two types of brake issues: 1) my vehicle seems to flash BRAKE occasionally when oncoming vehicles pass by for no reason - they are not entering my lane or doing anything that should cause the message to flash. The vehicle type does not seem to matter - they have been old and new models, and have been both cars and trucks. My vehicle has only visually warned, but does not engage brakes, so no further safety issue is involved. It has done it frequently on some days and then none for awhile. We have tried to make note of vehicle type and model for consistency, but have not found any. 2) If my vehicle has its cruise control on (which is often) and a vehicle in front of me moves into a left-turn lane to turn - often with plenty of notice - my vehicle will engage it's brakes and slow down even though there is no danger of hitting the other vehicle. …
Our 2021 Honda passport EX-L sometimes hits the brakes on its own. It happens every now and then, like when I'm exiting a freeway, or sometimes even when going with the flow of traffic. I've seen this issue talked about in the [redacted] , but today I saw an official article citing NHTSA concerns, so I'm writing to say that I too have experienced this potential dangerous issue while on road. My vehicle randomly brake checks on its own when it falsely detects the situation in front of me, which could result in a rear end collision. I'd like to see this issue resolved, so please feel free to contact me if you need any more information. Even back in 2022, I was experiencing this issue. This has happened occasionally. The last time was about a few weeks ago on the freeway. Please see the forum screenshot for my reference-- I'm [redacted] in that thread. …
When the passport is in cruise control I have been driving up a very steep mountain and have had the car slam on brakes with no indication to the cars behind me or me intially causing everyone to come to a halt going up a mountain with a 9% incline. I realize you can adjust the distance but it still gives no warning and it is not as if you are tailo the car in front. I turn in my subdivision daily and if I let off the gas which I have to I the neighborhood and not have to break at five or ten mph something underneath feels as if it is catching like a bike break too close it scrubs. The final thing. I have started the car remotely many times. I have done it twice in parking lots and it has jumped forward . Had someone been in from of the car standing it jumped hard enough to hit someone. Or it the car facing mine had been closer it would have hit that car as well. Thank you
On Sunday April 14 while driving on the LIE middle lane a person driving at a high speed went from right side across to left lane in front of me when all of a sudden the brakes activated itself and my car nearly came to a stop nearly causing a car behind me to rear end me. This happened several times before while driving approaching vehicles in front scaring my family and I. Now my CMBS lights are permanently on on the dash. This system is nerve racking and will cause a severe fatal crash. Many people on several platforms are complaining about the same or similar issues. And understand an investigation has begun. Something needs to be done to resolve this issue. I have owned my 2021 Honda passport since November of 2023. With 19k miles.
Vehicle started having issues with steering wheel shaking under braking at 10k miles. It started getting worse and at15k miles dealer diagnosed warped rotors . Dealer stated that brakes are not under warranty as this is wear and tear item. Dealer resurface rotors instead of replacing them as Honda wouldn't cover it . Issue has returned again and under breaking steering wheel is shaking pretty bad . Honda does not want to cover this under warranty. I have contacted them and they said this is not under recall and they can't help me. I wanted to report this as I do believe this safety issue that could result in serious accident and possible even casualties.
Related recalls
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…
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.
Brake complaints in other Passport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2021 Honda Passport?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Honda Passport, 15% of the model year's 144 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2021 Honda Passport brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-458 (master cylinder, Jun 29, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Honda Passport brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 0 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.