Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Consumer states that rear cup holder keeps opening up, causing the kids in the back seat to trip over the cup holder. Dealer notified. This had been going on since purchase. The cup holder opened up on its own. The consumer's child had tripped over it on numerous occasions and resulted in scrapes and scratches. TSB# 98-027. Honda refused service. The fuel gauge worked intermittently, it was not reading when the gas tank was full and finally it did not move from empty at all.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Honda Passport. While having the vehicle serviced by an independent mechanic for unrelated issues, the contact was informed that the fuel tank was leaking abnormally. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer where the failure was confirmed and the contact was advised that the failure could not be repaired. In addition, the dealer also advised that the under frame was severely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 141,709.
The consumer stated that fuel gauge did not work properly. The dealer was notified. The fuel gauge never registered a full tank of gas. When the fuel level went below a half a tank the gauge registered on empty and the fuel light illuminated. Technical service bulletin 99-004 was issued related the fuel gauge problem but the dealer refused to repair the vehicle free of charge because it was out of warranty.
This letter is to complain about the lack of service I recently received when speaking to a customer service representative. I purchased my Passport in August of 1998. Since it was purchased, my rear beverage holder failed to stay closed. The dealer stated that, ?it is just the way it was designed. The strike plate seems to fail to make proper contact with the magnet. On numerous occasions, my three-year old daughter has tripped upon this beverage holder. Last year, my fuel gauge started to work intermittently, not reading full when full, dropping to empty when the tank was full, and finally, not moving off of empty. As a matter of fact, I brought my car into my local dealer to have my air conditioning system checked and the technician mentioned to me that he couldn?t take my car for as long of a test drive as intended because my tank was empty. …
Would either be waiting at stop sign/light when vehicle, for no reason, would shut down. Vehicle can be restarted. Had taken vehicle to dealership, and was informed by mechanic that ECM would need to be updated along with fuel sending unit.
After starting the vehicle fuel gauge would read wrongly. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Sept 1998-recall: battery terminal dec 1998-recall: accelerator pedal moulding April 2000 recall-rear suspension u bolt. Also, loose front hood, defective fuel gage.
Fuel gauge gives spastic and totally inaccurate readings. The dealer nor Honda have been able to correct problem.
The gas guage inaccurately reads the amount of gas in the vehicle . Manufacturer has been notified.
Fuel System complaints in other Passport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1998 Honda Passport?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1998 Honda Passport, 12% of the model year's 229 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Honda Passport fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 17,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system 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.