1996 Honda Passport

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 41 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. No safety recall has been issued.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine4
000
Suspension3
000
Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields3
000
Structure › Frame and Members3
000
Air Bags › Frontal3
304
Unknown or Other2
000
Structure › Body2
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System2
000
Air Bags2
202
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Jul 3, 2015125,000 milesIN

THE FRAME ON MY PASSPORT BROKE. COME TO FIND OUT MY FRAME IS ROTTED. I'M HAPPY I WASN'T ON THE INTERSTATE AND GOING A REASONABLE SPEED OR WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED TO ME AND MY FAMILY. I SEE NOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON THING WITH THESE PASSPORTS. I FIND IT CRAZY THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 1998 BUT NOT THE YEARS BEFORE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. HONDA OUTSOURCED THE WORK TO ISUZU TO BE CHEAP AND ENDED UP WITH A DEFECTED PRODUCT. SO HONDA WICH IS A MAJOR CORPORATION GETS REWARDED FOR BEING CHEAP WHILE US NORMAL PEOPLE TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET END UP WITH A JUNK CAR THAT'S WORTHLESS. I SEE THESE ON THE ROAD STILL AND I KEEP MY FINGERS CROSSED FOR THE PEOPLE DRIVING THEM. PLEASE MAKE HONDA FIX THIS PROBLEM.

Suspension
Filed Jul 26, 2013138,441 milesPA

SAME AS NHTSA: 10V436000 CAMPAIGN. DEFECT CONSEQUENCE: EXCESSIVE CORROSION MAY RESULT IN THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Jan 22, 2013167,653 milesWI

FRAME ROTTING AWAY AND MAKING PASSPORT UNSAFE TO DRIVE RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 21, 201290,000 milesFL

BEARINGS FAIL, SEALS FAIL, LASH ADJUSTERS FAIL, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, POORLY DESIGNED OIL CIRCULATION SYSTEM. *JS

Suspension
Filed Dec 20, 2011OH

THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING EXTREME FRAME CORROSION OF BOTH THE FORWARD AND REAR FRAME MEMBER. THERE ARE LARGE PERFORATIONS IN MULTIPLE AREAS ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE FRAME, AND I DON'T SEE ANY WAY TO REPAIR OTHER THAN A COMPLETE FRAME REPLACEMENT. WHY IS THE DIVIDING LINE FOR THE RECALL 10V436000 SET AT THE 1998 MODEL YEAR? THIS IS THE SAME BASIC VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ROTTED FRAME AS THOSE INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE DOORS SHOULD ROT OF A VEHICLE LONG BEFORE THE FRAME BECOMES AN ISSUE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Nov 18, 2011145,321 milesIN

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1996 HONDA PASSPORT AND WAS TOLD "YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH A HONDA"--DROVE GOOD, BODY GOOD, INTERIOR IMMACULATE, ETC. A MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT FOR RECENT REPAIRS NEEDED ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND I WAS SHOWN THE HORRIFIC RUSTED FRAME, HE ACTUALLY PUT HIS HAND THROUGH IT!!! AND NOT JUST IN ONE AREA, THE WHOLE FRAME!! UNBELIEVABLE! I AM A SERVICE TECH THAT DRIVES A VEHICLE, ON AVERAGE, 500 TO 700 MILES A WEEK. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH WHEN THE FRAME COULD HAVE COST ME MY LIFE--OR ANYONE ELSE'S THAT COULD HAVE BEEN IN MY PATH. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS SINCE RECEIVING THIS INFORMATION ABOUT MY PASSPORT, AND IT'S OBVIOUS HONDA IS AWARE OF THE FAULTY STEEL THAT WAS USED ON THESE FRAMES. THEY SHOULD COMPENSATE ANYONE STILL DRIVING ONE OF THESE MORBIDLY UNSAFE VEHICLES AND GET THEM OFF THE ROAD! THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. RECALLS WERE ISSUED ON MANY OTHER MODELS AND MAKES, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT INCLUDE THIS YEAR OR MAKE. UNBELIEVABLE!! A COMPANY THAT USES INFERIOR PRODUCT AND IS MADE AWARE OF IT, SHOULD STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF IT. AS A BUSINESS OWNER MYSELF, I AM LIVID THAT HONDA DOES NOT FEEL RESPONSIBLE AND WE--CAR OWNERS STUCK WITH THEIR JUNK--HAVE TO TAKE A HUGE LOSS FOR THEIR INCOMPETENTLY. SHAME ON HONDA!!! I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER ONE! *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 18, 201160,000 milesOH

THIS VEHICLE HAS SERIOUS RUST ISSUES FOR ITS AGE. THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH IN MANY SPOTS WHICH MAKES IT A HAZARD TO DRIVE. IN APRIL OF 2011 THE SHOCK TOWER BROKE FREE OF THE FRAME AND NOW WOBBLES FREE IN THE WHEEL WELL. WE FIRST NOTICED A RUST PROBLEM SOME YEARS BACK WHEN MY BROTHER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. HE WAS THE SECOND OWNER OF IT AT APPROX. 50K MILES. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 21, 2011161,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HAVING HIS VEHICLE SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY COVERED WITH RUST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Sep 19, 2011157,600 milesMO

AFTER EXPERIENCING A SLIGHT VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I REMOVED MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE TO INSPECT BRAKES, BEARINGS, ETC. I IMMEDIATELY DISCOVERED A LARGE RUST HOLE IN MY FRAME RIGHT WHERE IT BENDS UP TO THE HEIGHT OF THE ENGINE MOUNT. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT HOLE, AS WELL AS, HOLES ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM IN THE SAME VICINITY. I REPLACED THE TIRE, REMOVED THE PASSPORT FROM SERVICE AND REPLACED IT WITH A RELIABLE VEHICLE. SINCE THEN I HAVE MONITORED THE WEB TO SEE IF ANY OTHERS HAD EXPERIENCED FRAME RUSTING ON HONDA PASSPORTS OR ISUZU RODEOS. THERE WERE MULTITUDES. TODAY I TOOK THE PASSPORT TO A BODY SHOP FOR A PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION OF THE FRAME. THE RESULTS WERE THAT THE TOTAL RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME WAS FULL OF RUST HOLES AND THE LEFT SIDE TO A LESSER EXTENT. I AM TRULY FORTUNATE THAT I NOTICED THE PROBLEM BEFORE SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF AND FAMILY OR OTHERS OCCURRED. I HAVE ALSO RECENTLY NOTICED THAT HONDA AND ISUZU HAVE ISSUED RECALLS FOR 1998-2002 DUE TO FRAME RUST ISSUES. THE RUST IS NOT LIMITED TO THOSE YEARS AS IS EVIDENT WITH MY VEHICLE. I DO LIVE IN A STATE THAT USES SALT PRODUCTS TO CONTROL WINTER ICE WHICH CERTAINLY ACCELERATED THE RUST CONDITION. MANUFACTURERS HAVE TREATED THEIR FRAMES TO PROTECT FOR MANY DECADES AND BECAUSE OF THAT RECORD, I BLINDLY BELIEVED I RECEIVED THE SAME FROM HONDA; OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE PURCHASED THE RUST UNDERCOATING OFFERED AT PURCHASE. *KB

Structure
Filed Jun 30, 2011110,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN REGARDING THE FAILURE BECAUSE A LATER YEAR OF THE SAME MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR A SIMILAR FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 15, 2010187,251 milesMA

WE HAVE A 1996 HONDA PASSPORT THAT WE RECENTLY HELPED OUR DAUGHTER BUY. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL ON THESE, AND FOUND THAT OUR MODEL YEAR (1996) WAS NOT INCLUDED. TODAY WE WERE HAVING NEW TIRES PUT ON HER CAR AND OUR MECHANIC CALLED TO LET US KNOW THAT THE FRAME ROT WAS MORE THAN WE INITIALLY THOUGH, SO MUCH SO THAT HE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE CAR NOT BE DRIVEN ANY LONGER AS IT WAS NOT ROAD SAFE. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH HONDA, AND WERE TOLD TO DIRECT OUR EFFORTS TO THE NHTSA. THIS CAR IS NOW CAN NO LONGER BE DRIVEN SAFELY, AND WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE NHTSA TO HAVE THIS RECALL EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE 1996 MODEL YEAR. THIS PAST WEEKEND WE RAN INTO ANOTHER 1996 PASSPORT OWNER, AND FOUND THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. NOW WE HAD SOME OF THE FRAME ROT REPAIRED AT A LOCAL WELDING SHOP, BUT DID NOT KNOW THE FULL EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE UNTIL TODAY WHEN OUR MECHANIC CALLED US. THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE CURRENT RECALL FOR THE HONDA PASSPORT/ISUZU RODEO IS 10V436000. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 12, 2010NJ

FRAME RUST AND ROT AT REAR OF VEHICLE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 24, 2010208,000 milesFL

SEVERE FRAME RUST NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AREAS OF THE BOX FRAME AROUND THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT ARE COMPLETELY MISSING AND FALLING OFF DUE TO RUST. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 23, 2006157,990 milesVA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON A DRY COUNTRY ROAD AT 30 MPH; THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE HOWEVER THEY DID WORK PROPERLY. THERE WERE NO AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 9, 200696,000 milesCO

CHECK ENGINE KEEPS COMING ON & OFF.. WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND/OR ENGAGING THE LEFT HAND TURN SIGNAL; THIS CAUSES THE HORN TO SOUND. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN NUMEROUS TIMES COSTING $130.00 TO RUN THE TEST I AM TOLD THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS IS VERY TROUBLING AS I HAVE A TODDLER AND THIS IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY CONCERN NOT TO MENTION A BUDGET BREAKER AS THIS HAS COST ME APPROXIMATELY $1000.00. I FINALLY DECIDED TO STOP TAKING IT IN AS THE ONLY OUTCOME WAS A LITTLE LESS MONEY IN MY MONEY AND THE FAILURES STILL OCCURRING. THIS AS BEEN ON GOING SINCE 2003 WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 13, 200468,000 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TIMING BELT SLIPPED OFF THE ENGINE AND CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 23, 2004NC

HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING KNOCK IN THE VALVES. HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO MULTIPLE REPAIR FACILITIES AND IT IS STATED AS BEING "NORMAL" FOR THE PASSPORT/RODEO VEHICLES. STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY OTHER OWNERS OF THAT SAME VEHICLE. ISUZU/HONDA SAY IT HAS TO DO WITH TYPE OF GAS/OIL USED. I HAVE ONLY EVER USED THE RECOMMENDED 5W30 WITH 87 OCTANE. I HAVE NO WHERE ELSE TO GO. EVERYONE I TALK TO KNOWS THAT IT IS A PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO FIX OR BULLETIN POSTED.*AK

TiresCrash
Filed Jan 15, 2004CA

I WAS DRIVING ON 91 EAST FREEWAY ON JUNE 22, 03 AT 11:15 A.M. WHEN THE REAR RIGHT TIRE RUBBER CAME OUT. I LOST CONTROL AND HIT A CAR.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Aug 18, 2003106,000 milesCA

HONDA PASSPORT 1995.5, DRIVER DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, DEALER TOOK 4 DAYS TO BE ABLE TO OPEN IT AND CHARGE ME $313.00 FOR SOMETHING I DIDN'T BREAK. THEY REPLACED THE LATCH AND IT'S WORKING NOW. THE DEALER MENTIONED THAT THERE IS SAME PROBLEM ON HONDA ACCORD, SO I THINK THERE SHOULD'VE BEEN SOME TYPE OF RECALL.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 27, 2003IL

THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE FROM THE OIL PAN. *NLM. *AK

20 of 41 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2019
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202660100Routine
202539000Routine
202417100Routine
202338500Routine
202261400Routine
2021140700Routine
20201001000Routine
20192761000Above average
200223200Routine
2001134300Routine
2000102100Routine
1999228301Fatalities reported
1998229600Above average
199756010Routine
1996 — this page41004Fatalities reported
199560102Fatalities reported
199436400Routine

Compare every Passport year →

Reading this record

4 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.