Lemon Law Analysis

2026 Honda Passport

NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data

✓ Reviewed by Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. · Updated June 2026
18
NHTSA Complaints
Active Recalls
2-4
Avg. Repair Attempts

The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.

As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 18 complaints against the 2026 Honda Passport. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2026 Honda Passport complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.

The 2026 Honda Passport has generated 18 NHTSA complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your 2026 Honda Passport has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Honda pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.

Seats

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Very Strong

The 2026 Honda Passport has generated 3 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “When AUTO climate control is enabled, the vehicle disables manually selected heated seat settings without driver consent. This requires repeated driver interaction to restore seat heat while driving. AUTO climate should regulate fan speed and airflow only, not override manual seat heater controls. The behavior creates unnecessary driver distraction and removes expected manual control of interior comfort features.” (NHTSA Complaint #11708356)

Forward Collision System

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Strong

Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2026 Honda Passport has 2 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “I was in my 2026 Honda Passport with ~450 miles driven at time of incident, 1445EST on 14 October 2025. I was driving ~58MPH down a road in Columbia County, GA. I was on a straightaway with no bends/turns. There were no obstructions on the road, no oncoming traffic, and no vehicle in visible sight in front of me. The weather was sunny, no clouds in the sky and no shadows across the road. My Passport braked suddenly, causing me to sharply decelerate, jerking my head and body quickly. If anyone were behind me at the time, they may have potentially struck my vehicle due to the sharp deceleration.” (NHTSA Complaint #11693534)

Lane Departure System

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2026 Honda Passport has 1 NHTSA complaint for this defect type. Owner reports include: “The lane keep assist steers like a drunk person. On Interstate 15 at 75 mph, the LKAS steers into other lanes even on a straight road. At 45 mph, when going around a mild curve, it may keep going in a curve when the road straightens out, and steer towards opposing traffic. At 30 mph, when traveling through city intersections, it steers into the opposing left hand turn lane even on a straight road. This new generation of Honda LKAS should be named Lane Krash Assist. LKAS is typically too dangerous to use in traffic. LKAS makes it difficult to drive safely. Honda used to have a good LKAS, but the new generation LKAS is dangerous. I want Honda to fix my LKAS, which likely requires new software and/or new LKAS altogether.” (NHTSA Complaint #11718152)

Steering,Forward Collision Avoidance

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Steering defects can create unpredictable vehicle behavior and qualify as safety-related under California lemon law. Reported issues on the 2026 Honda Passport include pulling, vibration, loss of power steering, and electronic steering warnings. 1 NHTSA complaint have been filed in this category. Owner reports include: “Using the cruise control with or without hands free on it keeps warning to put your hands on the wheel but your hands are on the wheel so it turns everything off Took to dealer said everything is to spec It happens every minute and a half you have to shake wheel for it to register your hands are on wheel Had dealer ride with me to see problem he’s is the one who timed it Only happens when driving in straight line on left or right input If road is ruff or there corners this makes the wheel move so no hands free warning Only driving on straight smooth roads does this happen interstate long distance driving were you are always using cruise control Safety at risk in heavy traffic no warning it is turning off and the vehicle starts to slow down fast can cause an accident” (NHTSA Complaint #11716662)

Tires

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

The 2026 Honda Passport has generated 1 NHTSA complaint for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “General Grabbers AT Driving center lane on clear highway. Tire had a complete sidewall blow out total separation of sidewall and tread. Almost lost control of vehicle. Brand new vehicle with only 400 miles on it. Location on the outside of the sidewall. We saved the tire if you would like us to send it in for inspection.” (NHTSA Complaint #11716553)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2026 Honda Passport

As of the date of this review, no active recalls have been issued specifically for the 2026 Honda Passport. Recall status can change at any time. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the most current information. The absence of a recall does not mean your vehicle is defect-free — many lemon law claims proceed without a recall on file.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2026 Honda Passport:

  • 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
  • 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
  • 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Honda to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Honda must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2026 Honda Passport qualifies as a lemon under California law, Honda may be legally required to:

  • Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
  • Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
  • Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Honda pays all legal fees if you prevail
  • Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Honda willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2026 Honda Passport Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Honda a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Honda dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Honda pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Honda a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2026 Honda Passport Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2026 Honda Passport as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Honda pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Honda is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2026 Honda Passport?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.

Think Your 2026 Passport Qualifies?

Get a free case evaluation. Honda pays our fees if you win — you pay nothing upfront.

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