Honda Passport reliability

[Kuato]

Looking at the possibility of a new Passport in the next few months. Pilot also, although don't need the 3rd row and prefer more ground clearance.

The 3.5 is a proven bulletproof engine, so no worries there; but what's the take on the reliability of the 9-speed auto? This would also be AWD so AFAIK the power transfer unit has been solid for years.

Undecided on trim level, although leather would be nice headroom with the sunroof (which comes automatically with leather trim levels) might be an issue.

Going to test drive again in a few days, and check out headroom with sunroof.

 

[tbm5690]

Transmission (ZF-9) has so far proven mostly solid....hasn't been around too long but all issues have been mostly software-related on Honda's end and from my understanding are now ironed out. Some complain about shift quality but don't understand that's it is a bit of a unique transmission design with the dog gears.

 

[supton]

VCM (cylinder deactivation) and timing belt woes come to mind--a TB cost can be amortized over the ownership period, but some find having a timing belt objectionable, regardless of cost or change interval.

 

[Zee09]

The Passports I drove did not get the gas mileage of the Pilot.
Like 5-6 mpg. less.

 

[zzyzzx]

Wait until next year.

 

[BLND1]

My brother hasn’t had any issues with his Pilot. I believe it’s the recent Gen.

 

[gregk24]

I imagine the drive train will be solid, Honda hasn't had too many flops in that department. This is purely anecdotal, but when we were buying our VW the finance guy was saying he traded in his Passport due to a rogue electrical issue that caused the radio to have static. Honda had to disassemble much of the interior and replace the main wiring harness and button everything back up. He bailed and traded it in for an Atlas. Take that for what it is worth.

 

[The Critic]

ZF trans uses expensive fluid ($30/qt), must be serviced every 40-50K.
Timing belt, plugs and valve adjust are a $2-2.5k affair every 105K
Some of them had infotainment issues that required a complete body harness replacement.

Plus you can count on all of the usual Honda gremlins.

 

[roger dodger]

I don't know diddly about Passport quality, but I can tell you as a current Pilot owner, the 3.5 engine is most certainly NOT bulletproof. I had to replace the fuel pump at 64K miles ($1,200) and one of the active motor mounts ($800) at 69K miles. Motor mount problems on that engine are a symptom of engine vibration caused by the VCM feature. While I have not personally experienced any transmission problems, the Piloteers owners forum is full of people bellyaching about issues with the 9 speed transmission. They complain about that almost as much as they complain about VCM. Hopefully you will not experience any of these issues with Honda's current production models. but I'd drive a Schwinn bicycle before ever buying a Honda 3.5 V6 again.

 

[JustN89]

The 9 speed was very problematic when it was introduced in the Pilot Touring Elite. I've heard that it was mostly software issues and I would hope that software issues would've been worked out in the now 4ish years it's been offered by Honda, but I can't say so for certain.

 

[henni]

ZF trans uses expensive fluid ($30/qt), must be serviced every 40-50K.

Quick search found little better price for atf type 3.1, ie
https://www.oemacuraparts.com/oem-parts/acura-atf-type-3-1-082009017a

 

[jayjr1105]

I imagine the drive train will be solid, Honda hasn't had too many flops in that department. This is purely anecdotal, but when we were buying our VW the finance guy was saying he traded in his Passport due to a rogue electrical issue that caused the radio to have static. Honda had to disassemble much of the interior and replace the main wiring harness and button everything back up. He bailed and traded it in for an Atlas. Take that for what it is worth.

Bail on a reliable car brand after they fix your issue, then buy a car brand that is notorious for electrical gremlins. lol. You can't make this stuff up.

 

[Markopolo]

If I'm honest honda is really good at making smaller cars (like the civic, accord, etc) there bigger vehicles on the other hand aren't really that great imho.

9 speed is gonna be questionable, how are you planning on using it? (ie, towing and more rugged roads or more of making it a family highway hauler?)

we were looking into getting one but decided against it as I'm not a fan of VCM AT ALL (although you could get a muzzle for it)

I say lean more towards a Toyota option if you not dedicated to the honda brand like a highlander? possibly 4runner (if you can find one, GOOD LUCK!) if you really need something HD.

 

[dishdude]

Bail on a reliable car brand after they fix your issue, then buy a car brand that is notorious for electrical gremlins. lol. You can't make this stuff up.

It's all about perception, Honda has built plenty of crap.

There's no way I would buy a timing belt motor in 2021, ridiculous they're still selling vehicles with that mickey mouse setup.

 

[Bud]

I don't know diddly about Passport quality, but I can tell you as a current Pilot owner, the 3.5 engine is most certainly NOT bulletproof. I had to replace the fuel pump at 64K miles ($1,200) and one of the active motor mounts ($800) at 69K miles. Motor mount problems on that engine are a symptom of engine vibration caused by the VCM feature. While I have not personally experienced any transmission problems, the Piloteers owners forum is full of people bellyaching about issues with the 9 speed transmission. They complain about that almost as much as they complain about VCM. Hopefully you will not experience any of these issues with Honda's current production models. but I'd drive a Schwinn bicycle before ever buying a Honda 3.5 V6 again.

Thing is there are more than likely many Pilot owners like myself who have one that has been problem free. I will say going to pedaling a Schwinn before buying the 3.5 V6 is a bit extreme

 

[Kuato]

Plus you can count on all of the usual Honda gremlins.

And...those would be?

 

[The Critic]

And...those would be?

Expensive engine mounts that wear out, VCM issues, crappy paint that tends to fail early, brake pedal pulsation issues every 20-40K miles if you are hard on brakes, etc.

 

[rob1715]

It's all about perception, Honda has built plenty of crap.

There's no way I would buy a timing belt motor in 2021, ridiculous they're still selling vehicles with that mickey mouse setup.

They know exactly what they're doing. Looked at a Nissan Quest a few years ago and said no due to the fact the timing belt needed to be changed at 60k miles and cost $3000. Many people don't have $3000 just laying around, but they can afford another $500 per month car payment. Planned obsolescence.

 

[gregk24]

Bail on a reliable car brand after they fix your issue, then buy a car brand that is notorious for electrical gremlins. lol. You can't make this stuff up.

Honda hasn’t been doing so hot lately if you haven’t noticed.

 

[gregk24]

They know exactly what they're doing. Looked at a Nissan Quest a few years ago and said no due to the fact the timing belt needed to be changed at 60k miles and cost $3000. Many people don't have $3000 just laying around, but they can afford another $500 per month car payment. Planned obsolescence.

$3000 is a crazy figure for a timing belt service. Timing belt motors can be designed in such a way that they are easy to service.

Timing chains are great whenever you don’t have any issues, but some makes / engines are notorious for chain issues and when they fail to operate as designed or fail completely things get expensive very quickly!

I see pros and cons for both belts and chains. To say that it is planned obsolescence is false. There are plenty of Honda J series engines running around with over 300k on the third belt. Not many OHC chain engines make it that far without an issue.

To quote another member, would you rather own a 100K mile engine with a 100K chain or a brand new belt? Food for thought.