Model year record

1998 Honda Passport recalls & problems

The 1998 Honda Passport has 5 safety recalls and 229 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (66 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints229filed by owners

Crashes · fires24 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths18 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionSep 22, 2010

Rear

Recall 10V436000149,992 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ISUZU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2002 ISUZU RODEO AND MODEL YEAR 2002 ISUZU AXIOM VEHICLES, AND HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1998-2002 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES, THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED, IN THE STATES OF MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, AND KENTUCKY. VEHICLES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SUSTAINED EXPOSURE TO HIGHLY CORROSIVE MATERIALS USED IN SOME JURISDICTIONS FOR ROAD DEICING PURPOSES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE VICINITY OF THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT BRACKET FOR THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK PRIOR TO THE TIME THAT SUCH CORROSION WOULD NORMALLY BE EXPECTED.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AREA. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH LITTLE OR NO CORROSION IS FOUND, THE AREA WILL BE TREATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE COMPOUND. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH CORROSION HAS DAMAGED THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AND AFFECTED ITS CONNECTION TO THE VEHICLE FRAME, A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED. IN THE RARE EVENT THE CORROSION IS SO SEVERE THAT THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKET REMEDY WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE, A REPURCHASE OFFER WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE VEHICLE'S OWNER. ALL INSPECTIONS AND REMEDIES WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE 10 YEARS OLD OR LESS. FOR VEHICLES OLDER THAN 10 YEARS, ISUZU WILL OFFER A FREE REMEDY, BUT ONLY IF THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN ISUZU SERVICE FACILITY, OR HONDA DEALER (AS APPLICABLE), DEALER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF WHEN OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WERE ISSUED. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. ISUZU OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727. HONDA OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

SuspensionMar 2, 2000

Rear

Recall 00V058000213,736 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. PAINT WAS APPLIED UNEVENLY ON THE REAR AXLES, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT PAINT HARDNESS. SHOULD THIS OCCUR ON THE SURFACE THAT CONTACTS THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK BRACKET BOLT HEAD AND/OR NUT, THE NUT MAY LOOSEN.
Risk: THE BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK JOINT NUT AND BOLT.

Electrical systemJul 24, 1998

Wiring › Front underhood

Recall 98V17000055,475 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. A GROUND CONNECTION TERMINAL WAS NOT PROPERLY CRIMPED IN THE SUPPLIER'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MANUFACTURING LINE. THIS IMPROPER CRIMPING PROCESS CAN LEAVE AN IMPRESSION ON THE TERMINAL THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A STRESS FRACTURE. S
Risk: IF A TERMINAL IS FRACTURED, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAN RECEIVE AN ERRONEOUS SIGNAL INDICATING A HIGH VEHICLE SPEED, THEREBY CAUSING THE PCM TO CUT THE FUEL, CAUSING A 'NO-START' CONDITION, OR A POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.

Electrical systemJul 24, 1998

Wiring › Front underhood

Recall 98V17000216,838 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. A GROUND CONNECTION TERMINAL WAS NOT PROPERLY CRIMPED IN THE SUPPLIER'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MANUFACTURING LINE. THIS IMPROPER CRIMPING PROCESS CAN LEAVE AN IMPRESSION ON THE TERMINAL THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A STRESS FRACTURE. S
Risk: IF A TERMINAL IS FRACTURED, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAN RECEIVE AN ERRONEOUS SIGNAL INDICATING A HIGH VEHICLE SPEED, THEREBY CAUSING THE PCM TO CUT THE FUEL, CAUSING A 'NO-START' CONDITION, OR A POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.

Unknown or otherNov 13, 1997

Unknown or other

Recall 97V20600230 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER'S SIDE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT RUBBER FLOOR MAT. REPEATED MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVER'S FEET AND ACTUATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN RESULT IN A SHIFTING OF THE MAT'S POSITION. THIS SHIFTING CAN CAUSE AN INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A RESTRICTION OF THE PEDAL'S RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: HONDA IS ASKING FOR THE RETURN OF THE FLOOR MAT SET AND WILL REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THE COST OF THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT SET ALONG WITH ANY RETURN SHIPPING COSTS.

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

1998 Honda Passport 4-DR. 4x4

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

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

Passport 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Passport 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Passport 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Passport 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

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

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Pedals and linkages	66	13	11	43,000 mi
SuspensionRear; Front	50	1	1	160,688 mi
StructureFrame and members; Body	36	2	2	131,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	26	2	1	84,000 mi
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery › Cables; Alternator/generator/regulator	21	1	1	43,000 mi
Power trainAxle assembly; Driveline › Driveshaft	20	0	0	59,037 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Fuel pump	18	0	1	25,015 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	16	2	1	—
Fuel system, otherStorage › Fuel gauge system	14	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	8	0	0	97,438 mi
Unknown or other	7	1	1	—
Service brakes, airAntilock; Antilock › Abs warning light	7	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PASSPORT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GENERAL MOTOR CODE 1870 (TRANSMISSION) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.
Dec 12, 2018 · 173,000 miles
Structure › Body
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V436000 (SUSPENSION) WAS RECEIVED BACK IN 2011 AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT WILLIAMS HONDA IN TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TREATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE COMPOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
Jul 10, 2017 · 179,000 miles
Structure › Body
I BOUGHT A 1998 HONDA PASSPORT AT THE AUCTION IN SALEM NEWHAMPSHIRE ON DECEMBER 20, 2014, THE VEHICLE HAS AN ESTIMATE OF 87;000 MILES ON IT, WHICH IS WHY I BOUGHT THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE ON TOP OF THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION, HOWEVER TO MY SURPRISE AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME TO THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY ROTTED AND WOULD MOST LIKELY BE A HAZARD. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL FOR FRAME ROT ISSUES UNTIL TODAY DECEMBER 29,2014, I TRIED TO RECEIVE CO-OPERATIONS FROM A HONDA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED AND THAT THEIR WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND SIMPLY APOLOGIZED. WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS…
Dec 29, 2014 · 87,000 miles
Suspension
DRIVING STARTED TO SWAY SLIGHTLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON, ON THE WAY HOME THERE WAS A SUDDEN GRINDING AND LOSS OF CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE STAYING IN ONE LANE, I PULLED IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LOOKED AT IT. THE REAR TRAILING ARM RUSTED AND SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OVER THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS COMPLAINTS THAT CANADA IS REIMBURSED AND IN THE US IT IS HARD TO GET THE PROPER COMPENSATION. HAD THE VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS, WERE ASSURED THERE WERE NO RECALLS WHEN WE BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER, WE WERE NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RECALLS WHILE OWNING IT. VEHICLE HAS RECALLS ON RUST AND THE FRAME THAT HONDA SAID EXPIRED, BUT THEY HAD US TOW OUR VEHICLE TO HONDA CENTER THEN…
Aug 22, 2014 · 186,000 miles
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BOUNCE AND VEER WITHOUT THE CONTACT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
Feb 21, 2014 · 171,000 miles
Suspension
I TOOK MY HONDA PASSPORT TO FOX HONDA, TO GET THE RECALLS LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT AND THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, SO THEY SAID THE RECALL FOR THE FRAME HAD ENDED ALREADY SO THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY LET ME DRIVE THE HONDA OFF THERE LOT KNOWING THAT I COULD GET IN A WRECK. THERE'S GOT TO BE A MANDATORY RECALL ON THESE PASSPORTS AND GET THEM OFF THE ROAD. ITS JUST NOT GOING TO KILL YOU BUT OTHER PEOPLE TOO. *TR
Aug 1, 2013 · 163,000 miles
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FRAME AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS RUST AND CORROSION ALL OVER THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO NOTIFIED HIM OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V436000 (SUSPENSION: REAR) HOWEVER, THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED FOR HIS VEHICLE AND HE SHOULD CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO VERIFIED THAT THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED AND REFERRED HIM BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Sep 20, 2012 · 165,000 miles
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED INTO ANOTHER LANE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. AFTER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE MISSED THE EXPIRATION DATE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V436000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 175,000.
Oct 14, 2012 · 175,000 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

Rear Suspension Lower Link DetachmentClosedLed to recall 10V436000
On September 22, 2010, Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall 10V-436) to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration affecting approximately 120,000 model year (MY) 1998-2002 Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport vehicles and MY 2002 Isuzu Axiom vehicles originally sold, or currently operated, in the following states:Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. All vehicle owners will receive the recall notification.Vehicles 10 years of age or younger will be provided with a free remedy.For vehicles older than 10 years, Isuzu will offer a free remedy provided the vehicle is presented to an Isuzu service facility…
EA09018 · opened Dec 7, 2009 · closed Oct 15, 2010
REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK FAILUREClosedLed to recall 10V436000
DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE09-030, ISUZU MOTORS AMERICA, INC (ISUZU) NOTED TWO PRIMARY DIFFERENCES ONCE THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK SEPARATION OCCURS BETWEEN THE ALLEGED DEFECT (SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE FRAME) OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND A SAFETY DEFECT INVOLVING LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE REAR AXLE ADDRESSED BY ISUZU IN SAFETY RECALL 00V-058.IN THE CASE OF THE DEFECT CONDITION IDENTIFIED IN RECALL 00V-058, ISUZU STATED THAT THE ATTACHMENT BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE POSSIBLY CREATING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ISUZU ALSO STATED THAT THIS CONDITION OCCURS EARLY IN THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.IN THIS INVESTIGATION ISUZU NOTED LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME IS A PROGRESSIVE CORROSION ISSUE WITH PRIOR WARNING TO CONSUMERS.ISUZU ALSO STATED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME, THE…
PE09030 · opened Jun 16, 2009 · closed Dec 8, 2009
BRAKING SYSTEM/ABSClosedLed to recall 02I002000
There is no summary currently available
EA99008 · opened Mar 31, 1999 · closed Jul 31, 2002
BROKEN ACCELERATOR PEDALClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE98053 · opened Oct 9, 1998 · closed Feb 18, 1999
BRAKING SYSTEM/ABSClosed
PE98051 · opened Sep 23, 1998 · closed Mar 31, 1999