HONDA PASSPORT · model year

1996 HONDA PASSPORT

55 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996HONDAPASSPORT carries 55 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, and 4 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 PASSPORT is engine and engine cooling:engine with 6 filings, followed by structure:frame and members (4) and structure:frame and members:underbody shields (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 4 investigation files overlapping the 1996 PASSPORT, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

55
Complaints
7
Crashes
0
Fires
10
Injuries
4
Deaths

Total Complaints

55 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS4
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS4
SUSPENSION4
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
SUSPENSION:REAR3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
AIR BAGS2
STRUCTURE2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS1

Recent Complaints

20150703SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 125,000

20130726SUSPENSION

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

Mileage: 138,441

20130726SUSPENSION:REAR

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

Mileage: 138,441

20130122STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

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

Mileage: 167,653

20120421ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

Mileage: 90,000

20111220SUSPENSION

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

20111220SUSPENSION:REAR

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

20111220STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

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

20111118STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

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 TH

Mileage: 145,321

20111118STRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 60,000

20111118SUSPENSION

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

Mileage: 60,000

20111021STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 161,000

20110919STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

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

Mileage: 157,600

20110919STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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

Mileage: 157,600

20110630STRUCTURE

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.

Mileage: 110,000

20101115STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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

Mileage: 187,251

20101115SUSPENSION:REAR

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

Mileage: 187,251

20101012STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

FRAME RUST AND ROT AT REAR OF VEHICLE. *TR

20100724STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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

Mileage: 208,000

20060823CrashAIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 157,990

Compare 1996HONDAPASSPORT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 HONDA PASSPORT have?
The 1996 HONDA PASSPORT has 55 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, and 4 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 HONDA PASSPORT?
The most-complained component for the 1996 HONDA PASSPORT is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS and STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS.
Is the 1996 HONDA PASSPORT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.