Tailgate Handsfree not working consistently

Wish I had more info for you - mine has never worked and have not been home to get the dealer to fix it...

Hope it help

Not sure about leaving it for 1 sec maybe too long / I do a kick about 8 inches over (about lined up with my parking sensor on the rt side) from my hitch (they move the sensor for the hitch) / good luck as I utilize this often and I’m much better at it today without looking like a fool.

ours has worked every single time, even after getting the trailer hitch package installed and having the sensor moved, still works every time.

The first month I owned mine the handsfree tailgate worked every time. Now it sometimes doesn't. It seems to be sensitive to the duration of the "kick". I'm not sure be it seems to sense if you're still standing too close to the bumper and then won't open. I'll have to test that theory a bit more.

I’ve been having the same issue with my Passport 2019 touring trim and have complained about this! I am currently going through arbitration because HONDA states that this is “normal” for the passport tailgate to not work 100% or the time which in my opinion is baloney especially if we paid a big price for it! They tested 5 other passports and it only worked 25% of the time. I posted a thread as well and let’s see how many people are affected!

I gave up on my hands free and haven’t even checked it in months. The remote button works great for as infrequently as I use the cargo area.

The kick to open feature works consistently on ours when “kicking” (with the relocated sensor on the factory hitch), but will frequently decide to open or close on its own when we are just standing near the cargo area (loading things, for instance).

This is problematic for two reasons - first its tried to lose several times while I’m standing under the hatch, and second, it’s tried to open several times while our bikes are loaded on the hitch-mounted rack. If you don’t immediately catch it, the hatch could hit the bikes or rack.

I would like to just disable the feature altogether...seems more problematic than necessary. I’d rather just use the fob or button on the hatch.

My hatch has closed on its own several times. But it has never opened on its own. I have submitted a complaint to NHTSA.gov site. It is definitely not safe if the darn thing closes on your head!

I traded my 2019 Pilot Touring after 20k miles and about sixteen months of use for my current 2019 Passport Touring. (I don’t need three-row seating, and wanted an AWD, a little more rugged, etc.) I never had a problem with the kick-to-open on the Pilot. However, I gave up trying to use the feature on my Passport after a bunch of tries when it worked on less than half of my tries.

It makes me wonder what they changed on the Passport. However, I love everything else about the Passport and can live without the kick-to-open.

Mine doesn't operate consistently. Had very infrequent issues when I first took delivery. Installed the short antenna version with the factory tow hitch and find it only works about 50% of the time. I'm kicking on the right side right under the antenna . Perhaps the shorter antenna with the tow hitch requires a more deliberate kick??

I have the hitch and shortened hands free antenna setup also. Mine also only works about 1/2 the time.

diddle said:

ours has worked every single time, even after getting the trailer hitch package installed and having the sensor moved, still works every time.

Click to expand...

How was the sensor moved? Did you need a different part or was able to be adjusted?

The OEM hitch installed on PPs with hands free tailgate system comes with the shortened "antenna" which requires an adapter to install. This should have been installed when the hitch was installed. It repositions the antenna to the right side of the hitch. After the install, you have to "kick" on the rt side of the hitch. Initially, mine worked 50% of the time. I read where you have to "kick" more with your shin rather than your foot. Using this method, mine works most of the time.

I've had a hitch installed as well. It didn't work initially as they had forgotten to plug it all in. Now the only time it doesn't work is when I realize that I don't have the key in my pocket.