1996 Honda Passport problems & reliability
41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Honda Passport. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
4 complaints report injuries (10 injured, 4 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1996 Honda Passport vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 0 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure → | 12 | 29% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 17% |
| Air Bags | 5 | 12% |
| Suspension | 5 | 12% |
| Electrical System | 4 | 10% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 7% |
| Steering | 3 | 7% |
| Power Train | 2 | 5% |
| Unknown OR Other | 2 | 5% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Suspension · filed Jul 3, 2015
“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”
Suspension · filed Jul 26, 2013
“Bearings fail, seals fail, lash adjusters fail, excessive oil consumption, poorly designed oil circulation system. *js”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Apr 21, 2012
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
34 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Honda Passport. The 10 most recent:
Heater blower motor gets hot or blows a fuse. Honda. Servicenews. *tt
11012003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2003
Identifying automatic transmission shift solenoids. Honda. Servicenews. *tt
11012003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2003
Heater blower motor overheats or blows fuse. Various models including the 2004 insight and s2000. *tt
1003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 16, 2003
Descriptions for the automatic transmission shift solenoids. *tt
1003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 16, 2003
Check (atf) automatic transmission fluid condition to diagnose (a/t) automatic transmissions. *tt *jb
010103 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2003
A sticking idle air control (iac) valve can use diagnostic trouble code p0101. If the fuel and emissions manual diagnostic trouble code p0101 troubleshooting is inconclusive, replace the iac valve. *tt
1202 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 17, 2002
Straining the automatic transmission fluid (atf) to diagnose automatic transmissions. *tt
1202 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 16, 2002
Engine control module/powertrain control module (ecm/pcm) connector doesn't match etm. *tt
1202 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 16, 2002
Trailer hitch ball shank sizes and part numbers. Honda october tech line information. *tt
1002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 16, 2002
Clearing anti-lock brake system (abs) diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs). Honda october tech line information. *tt
1002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 16, 2002
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1996 Honda Passport in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1996 Honda Passport?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.