Honda is addressing a potential fuel-system problem involving more than 206,000 Passport and Pilot SUVs in the United States after determining that a connection in the fuel-filler system may not have been properly secured. If that connection separates in a crash, fuel could leak and increase the risk of a fire.
The issue affects certain 2023 and 2024 Honda Passport SUVs and 2023 through 2025 Honda Pilot models. Honda’s recall covers 205,760 vehicles, although the company estimates that only about 1% of the recalled vehicles actually contain the suspected defect.
This is a safety recall rather than an indication that all affected SUVs are expected to catch fire. The concern is specifically tied to what could happen to the fuel system during a collision.
For owners, the good news is that Honda’s remedy does not require a new part or an out-of-pocket repair bill. Dealers are instructed to inspect the relevant connection and correct it when necessary.
Why Honda Is Investigating 206,000 Passport and Pilot SUVs
The problem involves the connection between the fuel tank fill pipe and the fuel filler pipe.
During manufacturing, the connection on some vehicles may not have been completed correctly. Under normal driving conditions, the problem may not be apparent. However, Honda says the components could separate during a crash.
If that happens, gasoline could escape from the fuel system. A fuel leak by itself does not automatically mean a vehicle will catch fire, but the risk becomes significantly more serious if leaking fuel comes into contact with an ignition source.
That is why Honda classified the issue as a fuel-system safety concern.
The recall was reported to federal regulators in November 2024 under NHTSA campaign number 24V-900. Honda’s internal campaign number is OKM.
Which Honda Passport and Pilot Models Are Affected?
The recall does not apply to every Passport and Pilot built during these model years. Eligibility depends on the vehicle’s production history and VIN.
The affected vehicles include:
- 2023-2024 Honda Passport
- 2023-2025 Honda Pilot
Honda identified approximately 205,760 vehicles as potentially involved.
The affected Passport production range runs from February 15, 2023, through May 13, 2024. For the Pilot, the applicable production period runs from February 14, 2023, through May 8, 2024.
Honda’s service information lists all trim levels as potentially applicable within the affected model-year groups. However, that does not mean every vehicle is included in the recall.
The VIN remains the most reliable way to determine whether a specific SUV requires the repair.
What Happens If the Fuel Pipe Separates?
The potential consequence is straightforward but serious.
A crash can place considerable forces on the vehicle’s fuel system. If the affected connection separates, gasoline may leak from the filler area.
A fuel leak following a collision can create an additional hazard for occupants, emergency responders and people near the vehicle. If gasoline reaches an ignition source, there is an increased possibility of a fire.
Importantly, Honda’s recall does not describe a defect that causes these SUVs to spontaneously ignite during everyday driving. The potential problem is associated with the fuel-filler connection and its ability to remain secure in a crash.
That distinction is important for owners because it puts the recall into context without minimizing the safety issue.
What Is Honda Doing to Fix the Problem?
Honda dealers have been instructed to inspect the fuel tank fill-pipe connection on affected vehicles.
If technicians determine that the connection is not properly secured, they will reinstall it correctly.
No replacement parts are required for the recall procedure described by Honda. The inspection and necessary repair are also provided at no cost to eligible owners.
Honda began notifying affected owners in January 2025.
Because the repair is relatively simple, owners should not assume that a recall means their SUV will need an extensive service visit. The actual work depends on what technicians find during the inspection.
How Owners Can Check Their SUV
Owners of a 2023 or 2024 Passport or a 2023 through 2025 Pilot should verify the vehicle’s recall status rather than relying only on its model year.
The 17-character VIN can be found at the bottom of the driver’s side of the windshield and in other vehicle documents. A VIN check can show whether the particular SUV has an open recall.
This is especially important for people who purchased their vehicle used. A previous owner may already have completed the repair, or the vehicle could have changed hands before the recall was addressed.
Honda also maintains a recall lookup service, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides its own VIN-based recall search.
If an open recall appears, owners should arrange service with an authorized Honda dealer.
Does the Recall Affect Honda Passport and Pilot Pricing?
The recall does not change the original MSRP, fuel-economy ratings or mechanical specifications of the affected Passport and Pilot models.
It is also not a traditional warranty repair that owners have to negotiate with a dealer. Eligible recall work is performed free of charge.
For used-car buyers, however, recall status can still influence a purchasing decision. A vehicle with an unresolved safety recall deserves additional attention before the sale is completed.
Checking the VIN and confirming that the repair has been completed can help prevent an unpleasant surprise after purchase.
What About Performance and Fuel Economy?
The fuel-filler issue does not involve the engine, transmission or drivetrain.
As a result, the recall does not identify a change to horsepower, acceleration, transmission operation or EPA fuel-economy ratings. Those characteristics remain dependent on the model year, trim and drivetrain configuration.
The Passport and Pilot are positioned as midsize SUVs, with the Pilot offering three-row seating and the Passport focusing more heavily on two-row utility and off-road-oriented capability.
Neither vehicle’s fundamental driving characteristics are being recalled because of this issue. The concern is limited to fuel-system integrity during a crash.
How Serious Is the Problem?
The number of vehicles covered by the recall may sound large, but the estimated defect rate provides important context.
Honda told regulators that approximately 1% of the recalled vehicles were expected to have the condition. That means the overwhelming majority of vehicles included in the recall population are not expected to have the specific defect.
Still, safety recalls are designed to address potential risks before they become more widespread problems.
A fuel-system defect deserves attention because the consequences of a fuel leak can be severe even when the likelihood of the defect occurring is relatively low.
Honda’s decision to inspect the vehicles is therefore precautionary as well as corrective.
What Used-Car Buyers Should Know
The recall is particularly relevant for anyone shopping for a used Passport or Pilot from the affected production years.
Before buying one, shoppers should obtain the VIN and check for open safety campaigns. If the fuel-filler recall is still outstanding, the buyer should understand that the vehicle needs to visit a Honda dealer for the free inspection and repair.
A completed recall should also be verified through the vehicle’s service history when possible.
The presence of a past recall does not automatically make a used vehicle a poor purchase. What matters is whether the safety issue has been properly addressed.