Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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 (transmission) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 173,000.
Brown deer auto sales sold us an used 1998 Honda 4d sport utility, serial # [redacted] in July 2002. After driving the car 200 miles, the temp of the car was running hot and we took the car back to brown deer auto sales. The owner agreed to diagnosis the problem. The car stayed there for a month and a half and the owner said they replaced the gaskets from the motor heads. When we picked up the car, the mechanic advised us to put radiator fluid in if the car runs hot again. The car did continue to run hot and it did not seem right to have to keep adding radiator fluid and even when the car showed the fluid was full, the car still ran hot. So we took the car to another mechanic, who told us that the car had problems with the heads which was caused by faulty gaskets. The mechanic also informed us, that the gaskets could not have been replaced. …
Car has trouble starting. Takes several attempts to start. Trouble began in February of 2004. Took car to Nissan dealer where purchased in March of 2003 because of dealer service contract. Replaced oxygen sensors in March of 2004. Engine light returned on restart. Replaced battery in May of 2004 after car would not start and customer left stranded, engine light returned again. Took to auto zone to find service code. Pulled manufacture code p1170. Honda service of gilbert told me that it was a manifold gasket defect and would not be covered. Customer reminded service rep that it should be under the epa mandated 8 year/80,000 mile major emission control system warranty. Told I would need to pay $85.00 to get complete diagnostic report. Service rep agreed that it May be covered. Nissan dealer service rep advised that the last manifold job took over a week to repair. …
Last February, my intake gasket failed, and my mechanic was told by the Honda parts manager that this was a common problem with my year Passport. The gaskets were faulty. I wrote a letter to Honda and was dismissed because my warranty had expired. This February, I was losing oil and antifreeze. I took my Passport to my mechanic and found that, although I regularly changed my oil and the engine is extremely clean, the head is cracked and the valves are worn out. Again, my mechanic talks to the parts manager and finds out that they have had 5 passports with the same problem in the last 6 months. This repair is going to cost me $3000. A 1998 vehicle should not be having these kind of problems. These vehicles are bad and Honda should be held responsible.
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. No external signs of oil consumption at the vehicle's rear. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**768007
I am complaining about a problem with my Honda Passport. 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, which I had learned the hard way. Now having to replace the engine.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Honda Passport. The factory cooling tools were inserted in the engine block electrolysis and corrosion was present which rendered the cooling system inoperative. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated that the warranty was no longer valid that the vehicle was too old to be repaired. The manufacturer also informed him that the vehicle was too old and offered no assistance. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Honda Passport. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for a diagnosis. The dealer stated that they were unsure what the cause of the failure was. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted stated that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure and current mileages were 131,000.
The problem that I started having with the truck at about 10000 miles is that the vehicle continues to accelerate on its own when I release the acellerator and press the brake. The problem has persisted for quite some time despite numerous trips to the Honda dealership. In August of 99 I took the car into the Honda dealership in albany, ga and they informed me that the problem was due to an electrical problem. They said it was fixed. I took the car into the same dealership in November of 2000. They kept the car for two days and said that they identified the problem and that the problem was with some of the electrical connectors. The problem was not fixed. The vehicle is currently at the Honda dealership in newburg, ny where they have just informed me that they did not identify a problem with it. …
I am complaining about another (as the dealor 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 dealorship. No external signs of oil consumption at the vehicle's rear. Mr
Engine complaints in other Passport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Honda Passport?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Honda Passport, 11% of the model year's 229 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Honda Passport engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 116,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.