1998 Honda Passport
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1994 | 37 |
| 1995 | 60 |
| 1996 | 41 |
| 1997 | 56 |
| 1998 | 229 |
| 1999 | 228 |
| 2000 | 102 |
| 2001 | 134 |
| 2002 | 23 |
| 2019 | 273 |
| 2020 | 93 |
| 2021 | 138 |
| 2022 | 58 |
| 2023 | 37 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 34 |
| 2026 | 55 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
32% of complaints: service brakes — 73 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURY21% of complaints: suspension — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and front.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION ARM HOLDER RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE AWAY FROM FRAME WHICH LET THE REAR AXLE TO MOVE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWAY. FORTUNIATELY IT HAPPENED IN A 30 MPH ZONE. THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND NOT FIXABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120608
Also filed under STRUCTURE
16% of complaints: structure — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and body.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PASSPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120326
11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.
CRASH INJURY9% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cables and front underhood.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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
NHTSA ODI report, 20030304
Also filed under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 LEA
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.
Campaign 98V170002 — check if this car was fixed
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 LEA
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.
Campaign 98V170000 — check if this car was fixed
BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS
BROKEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL
BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS
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 LOW
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK JOINT NUT AND BOLT.
Campaign 00V058000 — check if this car was fixed
REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK FAILURE
Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment
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 AR
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 WHI
Campaign 10V436000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 97V206002 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). THE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES IN CERTAIN TYPES OF BRAKING EVENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT COMPUTER ALGORITHM FOR THE ABS THAT IS BASED ON THE ALGORITHM USED IN HONDA'S MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES, WHICH HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM.
Campaign 02I002001 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Honda Passport — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (73 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (49 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (36 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97V206002 (unknown or other) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02I002001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V170002 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V170000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V058000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V436000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Honda Passport reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Honda Passport is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Honda Passport?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Honda Passport have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.