1996 Honda Passport recalls & problems

Safety recalls

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

• Suspension

  THE FRAME ON MY PASSPORT BROKE. COME TO FIND OUT MY FRAME IS ROTTED. I'M HAPPY I WASN'T ON THE INTERSTATE AND GOING A REASONABLE SPEED OR WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED TO ME AND MY FAMILY. I SEE NOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON THING WITH THESE PASSPORTS. I FIND IT CRAZY THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 1998 BUT NOT THE YEARS BEFORE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. HONDA OUTSOURCED THE WORK TO ISUZU TO BE CHEAP AND ENDED UP WITH A DEFECTED PRODUCT. SO HONDA WICH IS A MAJOR CORPORATION GETS REWARDED FOR BEING CHEAP WHILE US NORMAL PEOPLE TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET END UP WITH A JUNK CAR THAT'S WORTHLESS. I SEE THESE ON THE ROAD STILL AND I KEEP MY FINGERS CROSSED FOR THE PEOPLE DRIVING THEM.…

  May 15, 2015 · 125,000 miles
• Suspension

  SAME AS NHTSA: 10V436000 CAMPAIGN. DEFECT CONSEQUENCE: EXCESSIVE CORROSION MAY RESULT IN THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. *TR

  Jul 26, 2013 · 138,441 miles
• Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields

  FRAME ROTTING AWAY AND MAKING PASSPORT UNSAFE TO DRIVE RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

  Jan 18, 2013 · 167,653 miles
• Engine and engine cooling

  BEARINGS FAIL, SEALS FAIL, LASH ADJUSTERS FAIL, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, POORLY DESIGNED OIL CIRCULATION SYSTEM. *JS

  Mar 1, 2012 · 90,000 miles
• Suspension

  THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING EXTREME FRAME CORROSION OF BOTH THE FORWARD AND REAR FRAME MEMBER. THERE ARE LARGE PERFORATIONS IN MULTIPLE AREAS ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE FRAME, AND I DON'T SEE ANY WAY TO REPAIR OTHER THAN A COMPLETE FRAME REPLACEMENT. WHY IS THE DIVIDING LINE FOR THE RECALL 10V436000 SET AT THE 1998 MODEL YEAR? THIS IS THE SAME BASIC VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ROTTED FRAME AS THOSE INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE DOORS SHOULD ROT OF A VEHICLE LONG BEFORE THE FRAME BECOMES AN ISSUE. *TR

  Dec 19, 2011
• Structure › Body

  THIS VEHICLE HAS SERIOUS RUST ISSUES FOR ITS AGE. THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH IN MANY SPOTS WHICH MAKES IT A HAZARD TO DRIVE. IN APRIL OF 2011 THE SHOCK TOWER BROKE FREE OF THE FRAME AND NOW WOBBLES FREE IN THE WHEEL WELL. WE FIRST NOTICED A RUST PROBLEM SOME YEARS BACK WHEN MY BROTHER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. HE WAS THE SECOND OWNER OF IT AT APPROX. 50K MILES. *TR

  Apr 4, 2011 · 60,000 miles
• Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields

  I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1996 HONDA PASSPORT AND WAS TOLD "YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH A HONDA"--DROVE GOOD, BODY GOOD, INTERIOR IMMACULATE, ETC. A MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT FOR RECENT REPAIRS NEEDED ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND I WAS SHOWN THE HORRIFIC RUSTED FRAME, HE ACTUALLY PUT HIS HAND THROUGH IT!!! AND NOT JUST IN ONE AREA, THE WHOLE FRAME!! UNBELIEVABLE! I AM A SERVICE TECH THAT DRIVES A VEHICLE, ON AVERAGE, 500 TO 700 MILES A WEEK. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH WHEN THE FRAME COULD HAVE COST ME MY LIFE--OR ANYONE ELSE'S THAT COULD HAVE BEEN IN MY PATH. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS SINCE RECEIVING THIS INFORMATION ABOUT MY PASSPORT, AND…

  Nov 18, 2011 · 145,321 miles
• Structure › Body

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HAVING HIS VEHICLE SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY COVERED WITH RUST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.

  Oct 20, 2011 · 161,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.