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1997 Honda Passport

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Honda Passport do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 60.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 17 of 56 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

56 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2016
Unknown Or Other

IN 2015 I BOUGHT A 1997 HONDA PASSPORT FROM SOMEBODY AND NOTICED THE FRAME HAS EXTREME ROT AND ITS SO BAD IT ROTTED A FUEL LINE CAUSING A LEAK NOW, I OWNED A 1995.5 ISUZU RODEO WITH EXCESIVE FRAME ROT AS WELL TO WHERE THE FRAME BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. THESE FRAMES USED IN ALL OF THE ISUZU RODEOS AND HONDA PASSPORTS AREN'T T…

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IN 2015 I BOUGHT A 1997 HONDA PASSPORT FROM SOMEBODY AND NOTICED THE FRAME HAS EXTREME ROT AND ITS SO BAD IT ROTTED A FUEL LINE CAUSING A LEAK NOW, I OWNED A 1995.5 ISUZU RODEO WITH EXCESIVE FRAME ROT AS WELL TO WHERE THE FRAME BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. THESE FRAMES USED IN ALL OF THE ISUZU RODEOS AND HONDA PASSPORTS AREN'T TREATED PROPERLY BEFORE THEY WERE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC, THERE ARE HOLES IN THE FRAME AS LONG AS A FOOT, THESE NEED TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR INJURED BECAUSED OF IT, I HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE YET DUE TO THIS FACT OR THE BREIF MOMENTS I DO DRIVE IT I FEEL AS IF ITS GOING TO BREAK IN HALF. IT WONT LET ME PUT THE MILEAGE IT HAS 176009.

NHTSA ODI #10854673

160,000 miles · Apr 19, 2015
StructureSuspension

FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN LEFT REAR AREA NEAR LEAF SPRING HANGER. SHOULD THE FRAME FAIL IN THIS AREA, THE AXLE WILL NO LONGER BE SECURED TO THE VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. A RECALL HAS BEEN MADE FOR YEARS STARTING 1998 OF THE SAME VEHICLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706565

122,000 miles · Oct 14, 2014
Structure

1997 HONDA PASSPORT WITH 122,000 MILES. THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LOOKS LIKE NEW. BUT THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED THROUGH I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. FROM ALL OF THE STORIES I HAVE SEEN WHY WAS THEIR NOT A RECALL ON THE HONDA PASSPORT AND ISUZU RODEO? ARE THEY WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO DIE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644620

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2012
StructureSuspension

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE LEAF SPRING IN THE BACK TO FALL DOWN. MY REAR END IS NO LONGER HELD IN PLACE AND CAN FALL OUT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. MY CAR IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. IT'S A 97 HONDA PASSPORT. OTHER WISE MY VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION INSIDE AND OUT WHICH MAKES ME …

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THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE LEAF SPRING IN THE BACK TO FALL DOWN. MY REAR END IS NO LONGER HELD IN PLACE AND CAN FALL OUT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. MY CAR IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. IT'S A 97 HONDA PASSPORT. OTHER WISE MY VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION INSIDE AND OUT WHICH MAKES ME SICK TO KNOW THAT THE FRAME IS GONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442830

125,000 miles · Dec 21, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN CHANGING THE BRAKES I NOTICED A LOT OF SURFACE RUST WHEN I INSPECTED FURTHER I FOUND TWO HOLES IN FRAME ONE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BEHIND THE WHEEL AND THE SECOND IN THE REAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE INFRONT OF THE BACKSIDE OF THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE THE HOLE IN THE BACK IS AS TALL OF THE FRAME RAIL AND ABOUT 10 INCHES LONG…

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WHEN CHANGING THE BRAKES I NOTICED A LOT OF SURFACE RUST WHEN I INSPECTED FURTHER I FOUND TWO HOLES IN FRAME ONE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BEHIND THE WHEEL AND THE SECOND IN THE REAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE INFRONT OF THE BACKSIDE OF THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE THE HOLE IN THE BACK IS AS TALL OF THE FRAME RAIL AND ABOUT 10 INCHES LONG ONLY ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME THE HOLE IN THE FRONT IS ONLY A FEW INCHES TALL AND 6 INCHES LONG ON THE OUTSIDE OF FRAME AND STARTING ON THE BOTTOM OF FRAME RAIL THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BUT MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION I INSPECT IT DAILY TO CHECK FOR ANY DISFORMING OF THE FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440877

180,000 miles · Dec 2, 2011
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V436000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10438111

166,340 miles · Sep 11, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

LEFT HOUSE AND PROCEEDED DOWNHILL ON GRAVEL DRIVEWAY AND THEN TURNED LEFT ONTO MAIN ROAD WHICH IS A HILL RISING APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET OVER .5 MILES. AT TOP OF HILL LET OFF ACCELERATOR BUT THE SPEED WAS STILL INCREASING. TAPPED ACCELERATOR, PULLED FLOOR MAT AWAY FROM GAS/BREAK PEDDLE AREA, TAPPED ACCELERATOR, WHOLE TIME DEPRES…

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LEFT HOUSE AND PROCEEDED DOWNHILL ON GRAVEL DRIVEWAY AND THEN TURNED LEFT ONTO MAIN ROAD WHICH IS A HILL RISING APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET OVER .5 MILES. AT TOP OF HILL LET OFF ACCELERATOR BUT THE SPEED WAS STILL INCREASING. TAPPED ACCELERATOR, PULLED FLOOR MAT AWAY FROM GAS/BREAK PEDDLE AREA, TAPPED ACCELERATOR, WHOLE TIME DEPRESSING BREAK WITH BOTH FEET. FINALLY CUT OFF IGNITION AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR. I COASTED THE CAR BACKWARDS WITH ENGINE OFF AND TURNED IT AROUND. WHEN I RESTARTED CAR THE ENGINE WAS AT IDLE AND I DROVE IT HOME WITHOUT DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR. WHEN I CHECKED CAR AT HOME I OBSERVED THAT THE RUBBER THIMBLE COVERING THROTTLE CABLE AT THROTTLE WAS DETERIORATED. I PULLED THE RUBBER THIMBLE OFF AND OBSERVED THAT THE RUBBER HAD ENTERED THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING AND WAS THE CAUSE, JAMMING THE CABLE AT THE ACCELERATED SPEED. I CLEARED THE CABLE AND HOUSING OF THE EMBEDDED RUBBER AND CAR ACCELERATED/DECELERATED NORMALLY. A PRECURSOR TO THIS WAS THAT MY GAS MILEAGE HAD DECREASED DRAMATICALLY ON THE LAST FILL UP, SATURDAY, FROM 19MPG TO LESS THAN 12MPG. I WAS LOOKING FOR A LEAK AND HAD INTENTIONS OF BRINGING IT INTO THE REPAIR SHOP ON MONDAY (TOMORROW). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424671

176,843 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Structure

EXCESSIVE RUSTING ON STEEL CHASSIS OF 1997 HONDA PASSPORT TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. HONDA HAS RECALL ON '98 AND ABOVE FOR FRAME RUST ISSUES BUT NOT ON 95-97 MODELS. IF THIS VEHICLE IS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE IT IS HIT BROADSIDE FROM PASSENGER SIDE, THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED (CAN PUT WHOLE FIST INTO IT) THAT I…

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EXCESSIVE RUSTING ON STEEL CHASSIS OF 1997 HONDA PASSPORT TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. HONDA HAS RECALL ON '98 AND ABOVE FOR FRAME RUST ISSUES BUT NOT ON 95-97 MODELS. IF THIS VEHICLE IS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE IT IS HIT BROADSIDE FROM PASSENGER SIDE, THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED (CAN PUT WHOLE FIST INTO IT) THAT IT WILL MOST LIKELY SPLIT THE CAR IN HALF. HONDA WANTS TO CHARGE ME A DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE WILLING TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY, OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE (NHTSA'S INTERNAL REFERENCE NUMBER : 10262212 ). WHERE THIS GENTLEMAN SEEMED TO BE ORIGINAL OWNER REFERENCING NO OFFROADING HISTORY, I CANNOT VOUGE SINCE I JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FOR MY DAUGHTER TO DRIVE TO COLLEGE. AT THIS TIME, I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND PROHIBITED HER FROM DRIVING IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422675

170,000 miles · Apr 28, 2011
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH HE CONTACT HEARD A CRACKING SOUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A CRACKED SUSPENSION LINK IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SUSPENSION CRACK WAS DUE TO RUST BUILD UP ON THE FRAME. THE CONTACT CA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH HE CONTACT HEARD A CRACKING SOUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A CRACKED SUSPENSION LINK IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SUSPENSION CRACK WAS DUE TO RUST BUILD UP ON THE FRAME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS VERY UNSTABLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10398102

68,000 miles · Apr 5, 2011
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED TO PERFORM ANY REPAIRS. THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT HE SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED TO PERFORM ANY REPAIRS. THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT HE SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10394281

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.