Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Honda Passport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Passport. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the rear sub frame was extremely rusted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to replace the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
On June 18, 2015, while on the brake and stopping behind a vehicle at an intersection (moving at a crawl speed, less than 0.5 MPH), my Honda Passport lunged forward hitting the car in front of me. The car was contained the driver and a passenger. Believing at that time my brakes just failed (I couldn't grasp how acceleration and forward movement could occur when I was firmly on my brakes), I had my brake booster and master cylinder replaced. On June 29, 2015 in a parking space, while I was at a crawl speed (less than 0.5 MPH) and on the brakes, the vehicle lunged forward again, going to the next parking space and hitting a parked car. The vehicle engine surged as though I was on the accelerator, and my foot was only on the brake. Thank goodness nobody was in the parked vehicle, nobody was between the two vehicles, and only body damage resulted from this dangerous situation.
My husband and I bought this vehicle a few days ago. Today he took it in to get a tune up and oil change. When the mechanic had the car lifted he recognized a significant amount of cracks/rust frame. The plastic gas tank is about to fall out of the metal casing that surrounds it, it is almost completely ate away. There is also a frame crack due to rust on the passenger rear frame behind the rear tire. The mechanic advised that we not continue to drive this car until the issue has been resolved due to our safety. We found some information on a recall pertaining to the same problems that were occurring on our vehicle: http://news.Honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=5798-en when we searched our VIN number no recalls showed up, even though the car was bought, sold, and driven in what Honda refers to as a "salt belt" state. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Honda Passport. The contact called on behalf of the driver. While driving at an unknown speed, the driver noticed that the rear of the vehicle was swaying. The driver coasted over to the side of the road and noticed that the rear suspension bracket was detached and the subframe was corroded through. The driver was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called baron Honda at [phone], 17 medford ave, patchogue, ny 11772) where an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Honda Passport. When the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an oil change, the technician noted that the entire frame underneath the vehicle was rusted. The technician stated that the failure, if not remedied, would cause the fuel tank to detach from the vehicle. The contact stated that the service engine light was illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000. The VIN was not provided.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Honda Passport. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the technician stated that the frame had severe corrosion damage. The technician stated that due to the severity of the corrosion, the vehicle was not safe to drive until the frame was replaced. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had been previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10V436000 (suspension); however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
Problems that continue to exist are as follows: 1- miles per gallon are far below what was indicated. In such a spiraling cost per gallon environment, usage of gas it 30% to 50% greater than the manufacturer says. I believe this is deceptive 2- the "engine warning light" has gone on several times. This last time the Honda dealer says it is a special "backordered" item that May fix both the mpg issue as well as the "warning" issue. The question that could not be answered was, it is harmful to the car or a danger to me driving the car. 3- during a recent ice storm my car bumped a telephone pole and it shattered the bumper. The speed could not have exceeded 2 to 3 MPH. The entire bumber has to be replaced due to the extensiveness of the damage....cost ~$1000.00. …
While driving my 2001 Honda Passport on sept 5, 2010 vehicle became unresponsive to my steering veering to left of center. I was driving 55mph and thought I had a flat tire so I stopped got out of vehicle and inspected tires. I had no flats. I then thought that maybe I had belts in the tire separate so I continued on my route to destination at lower speeds of 25-35mph. Same thing vehicle was pulling to left and when I made right turn and slowed down to get off road I heard some noise like something rubbing against right rear passenger wheel. I got out of vehicle and noticed the stabilizer bar was detached due to corrosion. I was a few miles from home and drove with my blinkers on and on the right hand shoulder of road at 5-10mph. After researching on internet, I see there are several people with same problem and thought I should report it. …
I own a 2001 Honda Passport . I just learned from a mechanic and also confirmed with the service manager of my local Honda dealership ( century motors Honda, cincinnati, ohio) that there is severe corrosion on the frame on driver's side of the frame and other areas are showing signs but are not corroded through yet. I was told by them that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and could result in a serious accident. The service manager took a picture and sent it to Honda corporate and they refuse any responsibility. I have always lived in ohio so it could not have been affected by salt water ect... I also did not learn until now that my Passport was made by Isuzu and not Honda. I purchased it new from a Honda dealer. I was told that repair on the frame is not advisable, due to safety issues and the fact there are other areas on the frame that May rust completely in the near future. …
While driving my 2001 Honda Passport down rt. 51 I heard a very loud ,crunching noise under my car. Suddenly I had no control of the vehicle. Terrified, and after weaving back and forth on the road among other traffic, I was finally able to get the car off the road. It had to be towed on a flatbed truck. I was told by the tow truck operator that the underside of the car was totally rusted out and that he had never seen a control arm totally rust off a car. My car has been garage kept and well maintained since I bought it new in 2001. The collision center that it was towed to tried to weld the frame, but, there is still major rust damage under the car. I notified my Honda dealer of the problem and was told that since it was an Isuzu product Honda held no responsibility for the problem. …
Body complaints in other Passport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2001 Honda Passport?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the body & structure of the 2001 Honda Passport, 52% of the model year's 134 complaints. The component named most often is frame and members (54 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Honda Passport body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2001 Honda Passport, though it has 3 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 2001 Honda Passport body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to body & structure 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.