Sport / EX-L / Touring / Elite (crossover-era Passport, 2019-2025)
Low Risk
The 2nd-gen Passport (2019+) is a 2-row Pilot — shorter wheelbase, same J35Y V6, no third row. Excellent for buyers who want Pilot capability without the minivan-like proportions. The 9-speed ZF auto on the 2019+ Passport is the same unit that had issues in the Pilot — test thoroughly. SH-AWD differential fluid is the critical maintenance document. Strong family crossover value.
Items to check
12
Open recalls
1
NHTSA complaints
80
Top concern
9-speed ZF transmission / SH-AWD fluid service
Powertrain
9-speed ZF auto transmission testing
Monitor
Same 9HP-family ZF transmission as Pilot. Test all driving scenarios thoroughly.
Test stop-and-go, highway on-ramp, and light-throttle cruise.
Est. cost: $400–$600 fluid service / $4,000–$7,000 transmissionSource: ZF 9HP service pattern
J35Y V6 VCM motor mount
Low Risk
Same VCM motor mount vibration at idle as Pilot and Odyssey.
Feel for vibration at warm idle with AC on.
Est. cost: $300–$600 motor mountSource: Honda VCM pattern
AWD
SH-AWD rear differential fluid
High Attention
SH-AWD rear diff requires DPS-F fluid every 30k miles. Most commonly missed service.
Test tight parking lot turns for vibration. Request service receipt.
Est. cost: $150–$300 service / $1,500–$3,000 rear diffSource: Honda SH-AWD standard
Electrical
Honda Display Audio / CarPlay
Low Risk
Reliable. Test CarPlay and backup camera.
Test all infotainment functions.
Est. cost: $0 updateSource: Honda campaigns
Suspension
Front suspension wear
Low Risk
Standard wear at 80k+ miles.
Bounce test and drive over rough pavement.
Est. cost: $400–$800 standard wearSource: Common wear
Documentation
SH-AWD service + recall check
High Attention
SH-AWD fluid service history is the critical document.
Run nhtsa.gov/recalls. Request SH-AWD receipts.
Est. cost: Walk away from SH-AWD without historySource: NHTSA
NHTSA Recalls (verify completion via VIN)
23V-858
Denso Fuel Pump Impeller
Pump impeller may deform and fail — stall risk. Covers 2019–2020 Passport; free replacement, verify by VIN.
What the VIN tells you
The 2nd-gen Passport (2019+) carried one powertrain — the 3.5L J35Y6 V6 (280 hp) with the 9-speed ZF automatic — so the engine-encoding 8th VIN digit is identical on every 2019 Passport and won't separate Sport / EX-L / Touring / Elite. The meaningful VIN distinction here is drivetrain: front-wheel drive versus Honda's i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, which appears in the model/body portion of the VIN rather than the 8th digit — confirm it, because the i-VTM4 rear differential needs its fluid serviced and that history should be documented. Mechanically this is a 2-row Pilot, so it shares the Pilot's 9-speed ZF (9HP) transmission — test stop-and-go, highway on-ramp, and light-throttle cruise on any VIN. Verify any open fuel-pump or other campaigns are closed by VIN before purchase. Full VIN decode at autovetting.com/inspect.
Independent pre-purchase inspection — we arrange it and walk you through the findings.
Send us the listing and we reply within 1 business day. Nothing due until we confirm a mechanic and a time. Piloting in Phoenix; other US metros by arrangement.
The Vetting Report: this VIN’s full recall status, known-failure cost ranges, negotiation talking points, and inspection priorities — delivered within 24 hours.