1998 Honda Passport Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Dec 13, 2018 · 229 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Passport years
Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 16 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 229 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Honda Passport. That ranks 2nd out of 16 Passport model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (57 complaints, 25%), typically at around 49,000 miles. Complaints mention 24 crashes, 18 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations involving it.

Honda Passport
2026 Honda Passport RTL photographed in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. Finished in Radiant Red Metallic II.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 1998 Honda Passport problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic57 · ~49,000 mi
Suspension48 · ~155,344 mi
Structure35 · ~130,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling24 · ~84,000 mi
Power Train19 · ~59,038 mi
Electrical System17 · ~60,500 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline17 · ~25,015 mi
Vehicle Speed Control16 · ~116,192 mi
Fuel System, Other13 · ~17,000 mi
Equipment8 · ~97,438 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems5725%49,000“stopping distance” (14%)—
Suspension4821%155,344——
Structure3515%130,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling2410%84,000——
Power Train198%59,038——
Electrical System177%60,500——
Fuel System, Gasoline177%25,015——
Vehicle Speed Control167%116,192——
Fuel System, Other136%17,000——
Equipment83%97,438——
Service Brakes, Air73%30,000——
Unknown or Other73%43,000——
Air Bags52%106,500——
Tires52%———
Steering42%———
Visibility31%105,000——
Engine21%152,000——
Latches/locks/linkages21%———
Seats21%———
Exterior Lighting10%———
Seat Belts10%43,000——
Wheels10%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 1999, with 46 complaints
1998: 271998271999: 46462000: 322000322001: 10102002: 142002142003: 27272004: 172004172005: 442006: 2200622008: 332009: 7200972010: 18182011: 8201182012: 882013: 1201312014: 332017: 1201712018: 11

n = 229 complaints · Source: NHTSA

1998 Honda Passport recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Suspension:rearSep 22, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V436000 · 149,992 vehicles

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.

Suspension:rearMar 2, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V058000 · 213,736 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 system:wiring:front underhoodJul 24, 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V170000 · 55,475 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 system:wiring:front underhoodJul 24, 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V170002 · 16,838 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 · NHTSA campaign 97V206002 · 30 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment (EA09018) — opened Dec 7, 2009, closed Oct 15, 2010, led to recall 10V436000.
  • Rear suspension lower link failure (PE09030) — opened Jun 16, 2009, closed Dec 8, 2009, led to recall 10V436000.
  • Braking system/abs (EA99008) — opened Mar 31, 1999, closed Jul 31, 2002, led to recall 02I002000.
  • Broken accelerator pedal (PE98053) — opened Oct 9, 1998, closed Feb 18, 1999.
  • Braking system/abs (PE98051) — opened Sep 23, 1998, closed Mar 31, 1999.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Engine · received Dec 13, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11161256

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…

Structure · received Jul 11, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11004267

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…

Structure · received Dec 29, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10668826

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…

Suspension · received Aug 29, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10629390

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…

Suspension · received Feb 24, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10565571

Other Honda Passport years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Honda Passport?

Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, suspension, structure problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 57 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Honda Passport?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 1998 Honda Passport a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Passport model years, the 1998 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.