1998 Honda Passport problems & reliability
229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Honda Passport, alongside 2 safety recall campaigns. 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.
13 complaints report injuries (18 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1998 Honda Passport vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 57 | 25% |
| Suspension | 48 | 21% |
| Structure | 35 | 15% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 24 | 10% |
| Power Train | 19 | 8% |
| Electrical System | 17 | 7% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 17 | 7% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 | 7% |
| Fuel System, Other | 13 | 6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 3% |
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.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 116,114 miles (middle 50% between 74,000 and 151,746 miles), based on 67 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Engine · filed Dec 13, 2018
“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 nhtsa campaign number: 10v436000 (suspension) was received back in 2011 and the vehicle was repaired at williams honda in traverse city…”
Structure · filed Jul 11, 2017
“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…”
Structure · filed Dec 29, 2014
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment
Engineering Analysis EA09018 · opened Dec 7, 2009 · closed Oct 15, 2010 · led to recall 10V436000
- REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE09030 · opened Jun 16, 2009 · closed Dec 8, 2009 · led to recall 10V436000
- BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS
Engineering Analysis EA99008 · opened Mar 31, 1999 · closed Jul 31, 2002 · led to recall 02I002001
- BROKEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL
Preliminary Evaluation PE98053 · opened Oct 9, 1998 · closed Feb 18, 1999
- BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS
Preliminary Evaluation PE98051 · opened Sep 23, 1998 · closed Mar 31, 1999
Technical service bulletins
104 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Honda Passport. The 10 most recent:
Service bulletin - The MIL comes on and DTC P1441 (EVAP System Flow During Non-Purge) is set. The PCM software does not compensate for signal variation in the fuel tank pressure sensor when fuel sloshes in a nearly full…
Service Bulletin · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 4, 2014
Honda: due to mil coming on and dtc p1441 is set, pcm software will not compensate for variation in fuel tank pressure sensor, when fuel sloshes in full fuel tank. Model 1998-1999 passport. *pe
SB-00-011 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 4, 2014
Honda: low reading of fuel gauge, on some vehicles, after filling tank, gauge drops below 3/4 mark and/or rises to full or either braking or accelerating or will read empty with 5 or more gallons of fuel, due to fuel…
SB-99-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 6, 2013
C0282, 285, 274 4wd module in 2wd vehicle. *tt
1205 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 16, 2005
C0285, c1999, 2wd module in 4wd vehicle. *tt
1205 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 16, 2005
A buzzing sound coming from the passenger's seat area. *yc this bulletin dated 01/16/2004 supersedes bulletin 98-007, dated march 30, 1999. *tt
98007 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 16, 2004
Anti-lock brake system diagnostic trouble code c0265. Honda. Servicenews. *tt
01012004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Diagnostic trouble code c0265, open relay circuit. *nm
1203 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 16, 2003
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
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
The 1998 Honda Passport has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
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 1998 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.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 116,114 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.