Most common 1998 Honda Passport problems
Share of the 229 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Honda Passport complaints by model year
Best Passport years: 2024. Years to avoid: 2019, 2021, 2020, 2025, 2022. Compare all years →
1998 Honda Passport recalls (5)
Suspension › Rear
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…
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.
Suspension › Rear
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear axle lower link joint nut and bolt.
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
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
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these vehicles.
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
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
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these vehicles.
Unknown or other
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.
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 defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 1998 Honda Passport:
Broken accelerator pedal
There is no summary currently available
Braking system/ABS
Rear suspension lower link failure
During preliminary evaluation pe09-030, Isuzu motors America, inc (Isuzu) noted two primary differences once the rear suspension lower link separation occurs between the alleged defect (separation of the lower link from the frame) of this investigation and a safety defect involving lower link separation from the rear axle addressed by Isuzu in safety recall 00v-058.in the case of the defect condition identified in…
Braking system/ABS
There is no summary currently available
Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment
On September 22, 2010, Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall 10V-436) to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration affecting approximately 120,000 model year (MY) 1998-2002 Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport vehicles and MY 2002 Isuzu Axiom vehicles originally sold, or currently operated, in the following states:Connecticut, Delaware, the…
What 1998 Honda Passport owners say
Brakes all 64 →
I found out that the anti-skid brake system on my car had problems, which comes with a recall by national highway traffic safety. I contacted my dealer(Honda) but I was told that my car is not covered. I read your recall history, which indicates that my car belongs to those having this problem lately. However, since the dealer is not willing to provide free service and parts as to my request, I have to report this issue to the appropriate dept. The found problem is when I was slowly driving this car and needed to press brake, but the car kept moving forward, which I did not feel the brake applied. I almost hit bypassing. It took unexpected long time to stop the vehicle. I believe that there must be problems existing with my car.
We ran into the back of another vehicle at an intersection. He was stopped and we attempted to stop. The brakes did not work and we continued to roll into the crv. We have reported this problem several time to the local Honda dealerships. The problem is the brakes will randomly stop working even though we are applying maximum pressure, they will "chatter" as the dealer described it. They have acknowledged the characteristic but say we have to live with it. It supposedly is a design issue. The ABS senses some wheel anomily and disengages the brakes and re-engages them rapidly but not rapidly enough and the vehicle contiues to go forward. We have rolled through stop signs, lights, into intersections, etc. This time into a vehicle. Fortunately, we were not hurt but it only a matter of time until a major injury or death occurs. …
Suspension all 48 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Honda Passport. While driving approximately 40 MPH and attempting a right turn, the contact lost control of the vehicle without warrant and crashed into a ditch. The roof of the vehicle crashed into a telephone pole and the vehicle proceeded to roll over on its wheels. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was available. The contact sustained a ruptured spleen, sprained right ankle and arm, collapsed lung and several bruises and lacerations to the face. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 10V436000 (suspension: rear) and believed the defective suspension was the cause of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.
I have a 1998 Honda Passport and the bottom frame is all rusted and the rear axle or rear suspension trailing arm rusted till it fell off. Luckily it happened while my son was leaving our driveway and he was not on a highway driving at highway speed. So it is no longer driveable and we tied up the falling part and it was parked in our yard for almost a year because we could not afford to get it repaired. We now have to move to a townhouse and there is no place to park this vehicle so we had it towed to an autobody shop for an estimate. The initial estimate for cost of repair is about $2,000 which is more than what we can afford and it could possibly get higher once the repairs get started. So this is where we stand. …
Body & structure all 35 →
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 traverse city, michigan. The vehicle was treated with an anti-corrosive compound. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 179,000.
While driving (1/21/09), I felt like the Passport was "skating on ice" or being hit by wind. Sudden onset of this issue. Turning a corner and driving 5 MPH, I encountered a sudden loud "boom", and stopped the car immediately. The driver's back wheel stabilizer bar had fallen off of the body/frame of the Honda, completely rusted/rotted off. Had the car towed home only to discover that the frame was riddled with holes, some as large as 6" in the frame. One area of the back frame was held together was 2 small pieces, 1" wide, my husband noted numerous rusted through holes in the frame. The body looks new, no rust, no problems. We live in ky, not near an ocean, not where road salt is used a lot during the winter because the winters are not severe. The piece of frame in question is one section of frame, in the back by the rear tire, driver's side. …
1998 Honda Passport engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Honda Passport a good car?
Based on 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Passport rates avoid: 3.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the Passport at the same age. It is one of the Passport years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Honda Passport?
The brakes — 64 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the suspension (48) and body & structure (35).
How many recalls does the 1998 Honda Passport have?
There are 5 recalls for the 1998 Honda Passport, the most recent from September 22, 2010 (rear). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Honda Passport?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2021, 2020, 2025 and 2022. See the full Honda Passport years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Honda Passport problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 115,000 miles; 17% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.