Honda PASSPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,479 owner complaints analyzed
29 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1981 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 550 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 186 of 1,479 complaints (12.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 388 | 26.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 126 | 8.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 110 | 7.4% |
| Engine operation | 90 | 6.1% |
| Steering behavior | 84 | 5.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 49 | 3.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 186 |
| Unknown Or Other | 143 |
| Engine | 137 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 134 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 115 |
| Power Train | 89 |
| Service Brakes | 84 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 83 |
Electrical System: 186; Unknown Or Other: 143; Engine: 137; Structure:Frame And Members: 134; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 115; Power Train: 89; Service Brakes: 84; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 83
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 127 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 53 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 67 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 79 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 148 |
| 150,000 and above | 76 |
Under 25,000: 127; 25,000 to 49,999: 53; 50,000 to 74,999: 67; 75,000 to 99,999: 79; 100,000 to 149,999: 148; 150,000 and above: 76
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (148). 929 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 98 |
| 2001 | 45 |
| 2002 | 69 |
| 2003 | 104 |
| 2004 | 63 |
| 2005 | 25 |
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 28 |
| 2010 | 96 |
| 2011 | 85 |
| 2012 | 30 |
| 2013 | 22 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 32 |
| 2020 | 55 |
| 2021 | 40 |
| 2022 | 86 |
| 2023 | 78 |
| 2024 | 109 |
| 2025 | 153 |
| 2026 | 176 |
1995: 9; 1996: 7; 2000: 98; 2001: 45; 2002: 69; 2003: 104; 2004: 63; 2005: 25; 2006: 13; 2007: 6; 2008: 14; 2009: 28; 2010: 96; 2011: 85; 2012: 30; 2013: 22; 2014: 11; 2015: 8; 2016: 8; 2017: 4; 2018: 5; 2019: 32; 2020: 55; 2021: 40; 2022: 86; 2023: 78; 2024: 109; 2025: 153; 2026: 176
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 388 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 126 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 110 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 8023382 · 2002-11-26 (November 26, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WITH OUT PRESSING ACCELERATOR. CONSUMER STATES AFTER TAPPING ON BRAKE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. CONSUMER HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED THE ACCELERATER CABLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8023382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958912 · 1995-01-19 (January 19, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING IN MILDLY WET CONDITIONS VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT SPEEDS NOT EXCEEDING 20MPH. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8015605 · 2002-08-06 (August 6, 2002)
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY THERE IS A HARD AND A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8015605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059084 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)
THE CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE AND THROW OUT BEARING, FAILED. ALSO, THERE WERE STRESS CRACKS IN THE TRANSMISSION CASING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059084 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10319323 · 2010-03-12 (March 12, 2010)
I RECENTLY HAD WORK DONE ON MY 1995 1/2 HONDA PASSPORT FOR BAD WIRING ON THE FUEL PUMP. WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE CORROSION OF THE WIRING ON TOP OF THE PUMP. WHILE UNDER THE VEHICLE MY MECHANIC NOTICED HOW CORRODED THE FRAME WAS AND THAT IT WAS RUSTING THROUGH. HE CALLED ME OUT OF CONCERN AND HAD ME COME DOWN TO LOOK AT IT. HE SAID IT WAS BAD BEHIND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL AND EVEN WORSE BEHIND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. IT APPEARS THAT THE FRAME IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. HE RECOMMENDED THAT I DO NOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10319323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719250 · 2000-02-25 (February 25, 2000)
I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED...IT SMOKES WHITE SMOKE...TAKES SEVERAL TRIES TO START...ENGINE DIES...WILL NOT SHIFT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY...OIL GUSHES OUT EVERYWHERE...USES EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF FUEL...GOT TRAPPED IN VEHICLE WITH MY TWO CHILDREN BECAUSE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD NOT UNLOCK DOORS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052368 · 2004-01-04 (January 4, 2004)
IDLING FOR A LONG TIME, OR DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS FOR A LONG TIME (STOP-AND-GO IN A SEVERE TRAFFIC JAM) ALSO HAVING MOST OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT TURNED WILL CAUSE THE BATTERY TO GO DEAD BECAUSE THE ALTERNATOR DOES NOT ADEQUATELY CHARGE. THIS MAY BE A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS DURING SEVERE TRAFFIC MAY CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE AND THE ENGINE TO STALL; NOT ALLOWING THE ABILITY TO MOVE TO SAFE POSITION. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 101,960 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071590 · 2004-04-26 (April 26, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. CONSUMER TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND TECHNICIAN FIXED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071590 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480709 · 1995-01-22 (January 22, 1995)
CAR BEGAN BOUNCING EXCESSIVELY, STEERING LOCKED UP, LOST CONTROL OF STEERING, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958678 · 1995-01-13 (January 13, 1995)
STEERING; CAR WAS IN ACCIDENT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, LOST CONTROL AND HIT A TREE PURCHASED CAR BRAND NEW 11/94. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10431068 · 2011-10-18 (October 18, 2011)
FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH IN REAR SHACKLE AREA AND REQUIRES EXTENSIVE REPAIR. WILL INSPECT FURTHER,VEHICLE MAY REQUIRE COMPLETE FRAME. FUEL LINES AND FUEL TANK ARE RUSTED BEYOND USE AND FUEL LEAKAGE IS EVIDENT. VEHICLE WILL REQUIRE NEW FUEL TANK AND REPLACEMENT FUEL LINES.
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10431068 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2019: 10; 2020: 10; 2021: 7; 2022: 4; 2023: 5; 2024: 1; 2025: 0; 2026: 1