1997 Honda PASSPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
41 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
99,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 41 complaints (17.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 14.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 12.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Suspension: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 5
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 9; 2001: 5; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 6; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10061545 · 2004-03-05 (March 5, 2004)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND POWER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, DASH LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WENT DIM. WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKE PEDAL RADIO CUT OFF, AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH OR ABOVE THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT GEARS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10061545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133126 · 2005-08-17 (August 17, 2005)
WHILE HAVING EXHAUST WORK DONE THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE FRAME ON MY 1997 HONDA PASSPORT WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER DESCRIBED IT AS 100% RUSTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE (ABOUT 1 FOOT LONG BEHIND THE FRONT TIRE) AND 50% ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE DEALER SAID THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND COULD CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO HONDA AMERICA AND RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE LOCAL DEALER STATING THAT HONDA WAS GOING TO DO SOMETHING, BUT NEEDED TO HAVE ALL THE REPAIR COSTS DOCUMENTED. THEY SAID IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT ANYTHING ATTACHED TO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133126 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10347862 · 2010-08-06 (August 6, 2010)
1997 HONDA PASSPORT - BODY IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. INTERIOR - VERY NICE. FRAME IS IN HORRIFIC CONDITION. THE COMPLETE FRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTED FROM FRONT TO REAR AND IN A VERY WEAKENED STATE. TRANSMISSION CROSS-MEMBER SUPPORT AT FRAME IS ALSO RUSTED VERY BAD. FRONT CAB SUPPORTS RUSTED VERY BAD. THE REAR SPRING ATTACHMENT, LEFT SIDE, RUSTED AND COLLAPSED. IT CAME UNATTACHED FROM THE BADLY RUSTED FRAME. RIGHT SIDE, REAR, APPEARS IN VERY BAD SHAPE ALSO. THIS FRAME HAS BEEN PATCHED AND WELDED MANY TIMES. IT WILL CONTINUALLY NEED TO BE PATCHED AND R…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10347862 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 785210 · 2000-12-30 (December 30, 2000)
A FAULTY HARNESS BELT IS CAUSING ALL THE WIRING TO BE BURNT OUT, THERE ARE NO TAIL LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, PARK LIGHTS, HEAT, OR AIR CONDITIONER. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 785210 at NHTSA ↗