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1998 Honda PASSPORT: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

156 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

114,550 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 70 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 156 complaints (16.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior4327.6%
Electrical and battery issues95.8%
Engine operation63.8%
Transmission and shifting53.2%
Fuel system concerns42.6%
Steering behavior31.9%

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
25
Structure:Frame And Members
22
Suspension
15
Suspension:Rear
14
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
7
Power Train:Axle Assembly
7
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock
6
Structure:Body
6
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip25
Structure:Frame And Members22
Suspension15
Suspension:Rear14
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline7
Power Train:Axle Assembly7
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock6
Structure:Body6

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 25; Structure:Frame And Members: 22; Suspension: 15; Suspension:Rear: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 7; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 7; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock: 6; Structure:Body: 6

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
7
25,000 to 49,999
5
50,000 to 74,999
8
75,000 to 99,999
10
100,000 to 149,999
20
150,000 and above
20
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0007
25,000 to 49,9995
50,000 to 74,9998
75,000 to 99,99910
100,000 to 149,99920
150,000 and above20

Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 20

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 86 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.

2000
32
2001
10
2002
14
2003
27
2004
17
2005
4
2006
2
2008
3
2009
7
2010
18
2011
8
2012
8
2013
1
2014
3
2017
1
2018
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
200032
200110
200214
200327
200417
20054
20062
20083
20097
201018
20118
20128
20131
20143
20171
20181

2000: 32; 2001: 10; 2002: 14; 2003: 27; 2004: 17; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 7; 2010: 18; 2011: 8; 2012: 8; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 1

Pattern summary

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 43 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10002444 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)

THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHEELS COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR, THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002444 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10004118 · 2003-01-17 (January 17, 2003)

CONSUMER STATES THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS THE ABS SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE. DEALER STATED HE COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED CONSUMER ADD BRAKE FLUID TO VEHICLE. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004118 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10006882 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006882 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10007421 · 2002-10-02 (October 2, 2002)

VALVE TRAIN PREMATURE WEAR. REQUIRES AN UPPER END REBUILD AT MY EXPENSE. MAKING A LOUD CLICK DURING ACCELERATION. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. BUT, DEALERSHIP WILL NOT WARRANTY AN OBVIOUSLY MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768006

Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007421 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10007429 · 2002-10-02 (October 2, 2002)

I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT ANOTHER (AS THE DEALER PUTS IT) "COMMON DEFECT" WITH MY PASSPORT. IN ADDITION TO THE VALVE TRAIN PREMATURE WEAR, THIS ENGINE ALSO HAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL CONSUMPTION. OIL CONSUMPTION IS SPORADIC, BUT CAN EXCEED MORE THAN TWO QUARTS PER 1000 MILES DRIVEN. OIL CONSUMPTION OCCURS REGARDLESS OF DRIVING CONDITIONS OR LOAD ON VEHICLE. IN COMBINATION WITH NO DASH WARNING, THE OIL CONSUMPTION CAN LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE WITHIN THE REGULAR OIL CHANGE INTERVAL. ENGINE FAILURE REPLACEMENT AT OVER 10,000 DOLLARS PER DEALERSHIP.…

Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007429 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10009796 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE THE ACCELERATOR DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009796 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10009912 · 2003-03-05 (March 5, 2003)

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL IN 1998 REGARDING ABS LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE TO DEALER, HOWEVER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, BUT THE DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. CONSUMER VISITED DEALER REGARDING BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL IN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SITUATIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ABS MODULE. WHILE DRIVING HOME THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS CHARGED OVER $1800 FOR ABS REPAIRS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMEDIED UNDER THE ORIGINAL ABS LIGHT RECAL…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009912 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10012413 · 2003-03-25 (March 25, 2003)

WHEN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012413 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

00V058000 · Suspension:Rear

Reported: 2000-03-02 (March 2, 2000)

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.

Consequence: THE BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK JOINT NUT AND BOLT.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
10V436000 · Suspension:Rear

Reported: 2010-09-22 (September 22, 2010)

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.

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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
97V206002 · Unknown Or Other

Reported: 1997-11-13 (November 13, 1997)

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.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A RESTRICTION OF THE PEDAL'S RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
98V170000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

Reported: 1998-07-24 (July 24, 1998)

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

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
98V170002 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

Reported: 1998-07-24 (July 24, 1998)

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

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA campaign record ↗