Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Honda Passport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Problem with brake system of Honda passports. There is a delay in stopping and car glides forward several feed even after brakes are applied. Had this problem ever since purchasing the car but not as bad. Always was told it is the nature of ABS brakes to do that! Took it to the dealership 3 times and they said they could not similiate the problem and that there was nothing wrong with the brakes. Took it to an independant and he was able to find out the same problem with brakes in 2 hours! Took it back to the Honda dealership and they suddenly acknowledged that they had heard about the same problem from other customers. In each case were not able to pinpoint the problem, and basically Honda not doing anything about it. Then saw the other complaint reports in mycarstats.com and noticed this has been an ongoing and existing problem with Honda. …
On occasion when we step on the brakes, the car will suddenly accelerate. Tho I have complained numerous times, Honda cannot duplicate therefore will not do anything to resolve it. I am afraid someone is going to get killed with the car. Still have 6 months before lease is up and they won't buy out the lease or take the car back. Its very dangerous and I have witnesses who have seen it happen. Twice we have had accidents with it, twice I've gone through lights, once I hit a sidewalk trying to park because it jumped. I have 3 children and am afraid one of them will be hurt. This is a safety issue I'm concerned about - and its like they don't care or believe me. I didn't know where else to turn.
I own a 1998 Honda Passport. I was leaving my apartment complex and as I was approaching a stop sign which leads to a highway, my vehicle would not come to a complete stop whle braking. Though I was not speeding my brake pedal was resisting and felt hard as I pressed the brake more firmly. I ended up partially in the highway and an oncoming car slammed into me on the driver side totalling my SUV. The street was wet from rain. As I exited my vehicle I noticed that my brake lights still remained illuminated even though I was not in the vehicle. Mr
Problems with brake equipment on 1998 Honda Passport. Prior to recall notification, when the consumer attempted to brake, the vehicle did not respond and therefore the consumer was unable to stop the vehicle in time to avoid a collision with another vehicle. The brakes failed to respond on a second occasion while driving on a rough bumpy pavement, again the consumer collided with another vehicle.
While driving, consumer attempted to depress the brakes which failed on wet road conditions and slid from side to side. This resulted in a collision. A few days after the collision, the consumer received technical service bulletin # 03012(mfr) 10001303(NHTSA) regarding brake problems.
While attempting to stop and make a turn brakes went completely out, causing vehicle to hit a light pole. Same defect previously occurred w/o an accident. Dealership did not recognize defect. Consumer's insurance company had advised consumer to report complaint due to concurrent problems.
This problem has been reported to the dealer several times. The dealer found nothing wrong because the problem cannot be duplicated on demand. Last week when slowly making a right-hand turn into a neighbors drive, the brakes completely failed causing a crash.
Nar 9-10-03. Consumer complaint on a defective 1998 Honda Passport pursuant to maryland's lemon law. Battery cables replaced, brake warning light illuminates, rear suspension defective, and brakes pedal inoperable.
NHTSA investigations
Braking system/ABS
Braking system/ABS
There is no summary currently available
Brake complaints in other Passport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Honda Passport?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Honda Passport, 28% of the model year's 229 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (42 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Honda Passport brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1998 Honda Passport, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Honda Passport brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.