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.
The worst 1998 Honda Passport problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes64
- Suspension48
- Body35
- Fuel system28
- Engine26
- Transmission20
- Electrical17
- Acceleration16
- Airbags5
- Tires5
- Steering4
- Visibility3
- Locks2
- Seats2
- Lights1
- Seat belts1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Honda Passport
Recalls 5
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- Isuzu is recalling certain model year 1998-2002 isuzu rodeo and model year 2002 isuzu axiom vehicles, and honda is recalling certain 1998-2002 honda passport vehicles, that were originally sold, or are currently registered, in the states of maine, new hampshire, vermont, massachusetts, rhode island, connecticut, new york, new jersey, pennsylvania, delaware, maryland, the district of columbia, west virginia, ohio, indiana, michigan, illinois, wisconsin, minnesota, iowa, missouri, and kentucky. Vehicles that have experienced sustained exposure to highly corrosive materials used in some jurisdictions for road deicing purposes may experience excessive corrosion in the vicinity of the forward mounting point bracket for the left or right rear suspension lower link prior to the time that such corrosion would normally be expected.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rear suspension lower link bracket area. For vehicles in which little or no corrosion is found, the area will be treated with an anti-corrosive compound. For vehicles in which corrosion has damaged the rear suspension lower link bracket and affected its connection to the vehicle frame, a reinforcement bracket will be installed. In the rare event the corrosion is so severe that the reinforcement bracket remedy would not be appropriate, a repurchase offer will be extended to the vehicle's owner. All inspections and remedies will be provided free of charge for vehicles that are 10 years old or less. For vehicles older than 10 years, isuzu will offer a free remedy, but only if the vehicle is presented to an isuzu service facility, or honda dealer (as applicable), dealer within 12 months of when owner notifications were issued. The safety recall began on december 10, 2010. Isuzu owners may contact isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727. Honda owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 10V436000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Paint was applied unevenly on the rear axles, resulting in insufficient paint hardness. Should this occur on the surface that contacts the rear axle lower link bracket bolt head and/or nut, the nut may loosen.
- Risk
- The bolt could detach fully, causing separation of the lower link from the rear axle, increasing the risk of loss of vehicle control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear axle lower link joint nut and bolt.
Recall number 00V058000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. A ground connection terminal was not properly crimped in the supplier's engine wiring harness manufacturing line. This improper crimping process can leave an impression on the terminal that will eventually cause a stress fracture. S
- Risk
- If a terminal is fractured, the powertrain control module (PCM) can receive an erroneous signal indicating a high vehicle speed, thereby causing the PCM to cut the fuel, causing a 'no-start' condition, or a possible engine stall.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these vehicles.
Recall number 98V170000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. A ground connection terminal was not properly crimped in the supplier's engine wiring harness manufacturing line. This improper crimping process can leave an impression on the terminal that will eventually cause a stress fracture. S
- Risk
- If a terminal is fractured, the powertrain control module (PCM) can receive an erroneous signal indicating a high vehicle speed, thereby causing the PCM to cut the fuel, causing a 'no-start' condition, or a possible engine stall.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these vehicles.
Recall number 98V170002 · Recall details
Unknown or other
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with a driver's side optional equipment rubber floor mat. Repeated movement of the driver's feet and actuation of the accelerator pedal can result in a shifting of the mat's position. This shifting can cause an interference with the accelerator pedal.
- Risk
- This could cause a restriction of the pedal's return to the idle position, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Honda is asking for the return of the floor mat set and will reimburse owners for the cost of the rubber floor mat set along with any return shipping costs.
Recall number 97V206002 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 1998 Honda Passport
Defect investigations
Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment
On September 22, 2010, Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) submitted a Defect Information Report (the federal safety agency Recall 10V‑436) to the federal safety agency affecting approximately 120,000 model year (MY) 1998-2002 Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport vehicles and MY 2002 Isuzu Axiom vehicles originally sold, or currently operated, in the following states:Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. All vehicle owners will receive the recall notification.Vehicles 10 years of age or younger will be provided with a free remedy.For vehicles older than 10 years, Isuzu will offer a free remedy provided the vehicle is presented to an Isuzu service facility or a Honda dealer (as applicable) no later than twelve (12) months after the date of mailing of the notification letter to the owner.The report describes a condition where vehicles operated in states using certain road deicing materials may exhibit excessive corrosion which may result in the left or right rear suspension lower link bracket becoming detached from the frame.According to Isuzu a detached lower link may affect vehicle handling and potentially cause a crash.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data and found that 114 of the 115 (99%) alleged complete lower link separations from the frame occurred in vehicles originally sold or operated in a state covered by the recall. Of these complaints 2 involved alleged crashes and 21 involved alleged loss of control incidents.The alleged crashes and loss of control incidents all occurred in vehicles operated in a state covered by the safety recall.Isuzu's recall instructs dealers to inspect the rear suspension lower link bracket area to determine if corrosion is present.For vehicles in which corrosion has damaged the lower link bracket area and affected its connection to the vehicle frame, a reinforcement bracket will be installed.For vehicles with no visible signs of corrosion, dealers with apply anti-corrosion material to reduce the likelihood of corrosion developing in the future. Based on Isuzu's safety recall, this Engineering Analysis is closed.A copy of the recall may be assessed on the federal safety agency's website using the reference number above.
EA09018
Rear suspension lower link failure
During preliminary evaluation pe09-030, isuzu motors america, inc (isuzu) noted two primary differences once the rear suspension lower link separation occurs between the alleged defect (separation of the lower link from the frame) of this investigation and a safety defect involving lower link separation from the rear axle addressed by isuzu in safety recall 00v‑058.in the case of the defect condition identified in recall 00v‑058, isuzu stated that the attachment bolt could detach fully, causing separation of the lower link from the rear axle possibly creating a loss of vehicle control. Isuzu also stated that this condition occurs early in the service life of the vehicle.in this investigation isuzu noted lower link separation from the frame is a progressive corrosion issue with prior warning to consumers.isuzu also stated that in the event of a lower link separation from the frame, the vehicle is still controllable and can be safely stopped. The office of defect investigation (odi) analyzed complaint data provided by isuzu and america honda motor company, inc (honda), as well as vehicle owner questionnaires submitted to odi from consumers.in total, there were 60 unique reports of lower link separations from the frame including 1 alleged crash and 7 loss of vehicle control incidents that may be related to the alleged defect.most of these complaints indicated that there was no warning prior to the link separation.this preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea09-018) to further assess the scope, frequency and risk to motor vehicle safety of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles.
PE09030
Braking system/ABS
There is no summary currently available
EA99008
Broken accelerator pedal
There is no summary currently available
PE98053
Braking system/ABS
PE98051
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Honda Passport 104
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Honda: due to MIL coming on and DTC P1441 is set, PCM software will not compensate for variation in fuel...
- The MIL comes on and DTC P1441 (EVAP System Flow During Non-Purge) is set
- Honda: low reading of fuel gauge, on some vehicles, after filling tank, gauge drops below 3/4 mark and/or...
- C0285, C1999, 2WD module in 4WD vehicle
- C0282, 285, 274 4WD module in 2WD vehicle
- A buzzing sound coming from the passenger's seat area
- Anti-lock brake system diagnostic trouble code C0265
- Diagnostic trouble code C0265, open relay circuit
- Identifying automatic transmission shift solenoids
- Heater blower motor gets hot or blows a fuse
1998 Honda Passport fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-16 | 19 | 16-17 |
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15-16 | 19 | 16-17 |
What 1998 Honda Passport owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 honda passport. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited severe rust on the rear passenger side frame. The contact received a recall notice in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v436000 (suspension) was received back in 2011 and the vehicle was repaired at williams honda in traverse city, michigan. The vehicle was treated with an anti-corrosive compound. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 179,000.
I bought a 1998 honda passport at the auction in salem newhampshire on december 20, 2014, the vehicle has an estimate of 87;000 miles on it, which is why I bought the car in the first place on top of the fact that the vehicle appeared to be in good condition, however to my surprise after taking my car to the mechanic, I was told that the frame to the vehicle was extremely rotted and would most likely be a hazard. I was not aware that the vehicle was on recall for frame rot issues until today december 29,2014, I tried to receive co-operations from a honda dealer and was told that the recall was closed and that their was nothing they can do and simply apologized. What I do not understand is why would they leave a recalled vehicle on the market, wouldn't this be a violation of the lemon law? I believe as a recent honda passport owner, to a vehicle that has hardly been used, judging by the miles, I should be entitled to services from honda in regards to the recall that was "closed". Besides it was honda's error and it is their obligation to build safe vehicles for the consumer.
Driving started to sway slightly for no apparent reason, on the way home there was a sudden grinding and loss of control over the vehicle staying in one lane, I pulled it over to the side of the road and looked at it. The rear trailing arm rusted and separated from the frame. Hundreds of complaints over this issue as well as complaints that canada is reimbursed and in the us it is hard to get the proper compensation. Had the vehicle for two years, were assured there were no recalls when we bought it from a dealer, we were never informed of any recalls while owning it. Vehicle has recalls on rust and the frame that honda said expired, but they had us tow our vehicle to honda center then offered 100 dollars to us after the tow fee was deducted or we could pay 1800 to fix it. We had it in a safe place that would have given us much more money for totaling it out because he wouldn't fix it due to the repair still being unsafe. This is this particular service centers way of getting unsafe honda's off the road.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 honda passport. The contact was driving 55 MPH when the vehicle began to bounce and veer without the contact turning the steering wheel. The contact immediately took the vehicle for inspection. The contact was awaiting the diagnosis of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.
I took my honda passport to fox honda, to get the recalls looked at and they said that the frame was rusted out and that it was unsafe to drive, so they said the recall for the frame had ended already so they couldn't do anything about it. They let me drive the honda off there lot knowing that I could get in a wreck. There's got to be a mandatory recall on these passports and get them off the road. Its just not going to kill you but other people too.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 honda passport. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and making a right turn the vehicle became uncontrollable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who inspected the frame and noticed that there was rust and corrosion all over the frame. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who notified him of recall the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v436000 (suspension: rear) however, the recall was expired for his vehicle and he should contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified who verified that the recall was expired and referred him back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 165,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 honda passport. The contact stated that while traveling 30 MPH, the vehicle veered into another lane abnormally. The contact was able to merge to the side of the road where the vehicle was towed to a private mechanic. After inspection, the contact was advised that the rear suspension had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue and informed the contact that he missed the expiration date to have the vehicle repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number 10v436000 (suspension:rear). The failure and current mileages were 175,000.
I took my car to a repair shop for regular service on august 7, 2012. The mechanic called me and said that elements of the rear suspension, particularly the rear axle lower link bracket mentioned in the 1998 honda passport recall - #00v058000, as well as several other parts related to the rear suspension, were so corroded that the vehicle was not safe to drive. I had taken my vehicle to a certified honda dealer to address the recall mentioned above, and at that time they applied an anti-corrosive coating to these affected parts. This solution did not seem to work. At the time, some owners of the make, model and year of this vehicle had their vehicles bought back by the manufacturer. I feel that I should have been offered that option. Instead, a vehicle was returned to me that was unsafe to transport my family.
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.
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1998 Honda Passport
Is the 1998 Honda Passport reliable?
Owners have filed 229 complaints about the 1998 Honda Passport, 2.2 times a typical Passport model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Honda Passport?
Brakes, with 64 complaints, typically around 43,000 miles. Next is suspension (48).
How many recalls does the 1998 Honda Passport have?
5 recalls, covering suspension, electrical system and unknown or other.
What year does the Honda Passport have bad brakes?
The Honda Passport model years with the most brakes complaints are 1999 (67 complaints), 1998 (64 complaints) and 2019 (23 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Honda Passport get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Honda Passport range from 16 to 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15-16 city and 19 highway.
VIN decoder
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