1998-2002 Honda Passport: Full Review

Updated: 11/23/08

1998 Honda Passport
2002 Honda Passport
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1998-2002 Honda Passport ▼

  • Price Range:  $2,000 - $7,200
CG Rating

44

out of 100

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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1998-2002 Honda Passport and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.

Pros

  • Passenger room
  • Antilock brakes
  • Acceleration
  • Cargo room

Cons

  • Fuel economy
  • Road noise

Vehicle Highlights

Following on the 1994-97 Passport, Honda introduced a second-generation version for '98. Similar to Isuzu's Rodeo, the midsize SUV was slightly larger than before, and delivered more V6 power. Passports were built at a Subaru Isuzu plant in Indiana, right alongside the nearly identical Isuzu Rodeo. Passports differed mainly in model choices, cosmetic details, and available features. Two models went on sale: LX and upscale EX, each available with rear-drive or on demand 4-wheel drive. An improved version of Isuzu's 3.2-liter twin-cam V6 engine, packing 15 more horsepower and 26 more pound-feet of torque than before, went under the hood. An automatic transmission was standard on EX and an option on LX, replacing the standard 5-speed manual gearbox. The 4x4 models had a 2-speed transfer case with separate low-range gearing, but 4WD now engaged electrically via a dashboard button instead of using a mechanical lever. As in prior Passports, 4WD was not for use on dry pavement, but it could be shifted between 4-High and 2WD at any speed up to 60 mph. Wheelbase on this Passport shrunk by 2.1 inches, but the vehicles measured about an inch longer overall. It was almost 4 inches taller and 1.4 inches wider. Curb weight rose only slightly. Engineering changes included standard antilock braking and a sturdier, newly designed frame. Rack-and-pinion steering ousted the less-precise recirculating-ball setup, while a new coil-spring rear suspension replaced the previous leaf springs. In the LX, the spare tire stowed under the rear cargo floor. With an EX, the spare sat on a swing-away external carrier. The tailgate now was hinged at the left, below a separate glass liftgate. Styling was evolutionary, and rivals included the Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Explorer, and Toyota 4Runner. A Passport could tow up to 4500 pounds, when using electric trailer brakes.

Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)

Category Honda Passport LX 2WD Rating
Performance 4
Fuel Economy 3
Ride Quality 2
Steering/Handling/Braking 4
Quietness 4
Controls/Materials 6
Interior Room 6
Room/Comfort (rear) 4
Cargo Capacity 8
Value within Class 3
Total Score: 44
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1998-2002 Honda Passport. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1998-2002 Honda Passport.

Year to Year Changes


1999 Honda Passport: Only minor changes were evident in the reworked Passport's second season. Rear cupholders were new, but other revisions were focused on trim and colors.
2000 Honda Passport: Minor appearance alterations, front and rear, could be seen on the 2000 models. Interior trim also was slightly revised. New luxury EX-L versions had standard leather upholstery, 2-tone paint, color-matched fender flares and bodyside moldings, and an in-dash 6-disc CD changer. The 2-wheel-drive LX gained standard 16-inch tires.
2001 Honda Passport: EX-L models got a 4-way power driver's seat and 4WD versions got limited-slip differential for 2001. All models got floormats, rear child-seat tethers, 8-speaker audio, and UV-reflecting front-door and tailgate glass as standard equipment this year.
2002 Honda Passport: There were no significant changes for 2002.

Our road test for the 1998-2002 Honda Passport includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1998-2002 Honda Passport and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1998-2002 Honda Passport is right for you.

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

A shorter wheelbase, lighter weight, and more power helped make the latest Passport more nimble, but it set no new SUV standard. The suspension produces a generally stable ride, without pitching or bouncing. Small bumps and imperfections register in occupant consciousness, but don't intrude, though the ride can get choppy at times--not exactly a surprise in this class. Larger bumps and potholes are not absorbed nearly as well as they should be, resulting in a rather harsh experience. Among the more agile midsize SUVs, Passports suffer plenty of body lean and tire squeal in tight turns. The V6 engine delivers brisk acceleration and good passing power. Passport's automatic transmission shifts smoothly and downshifts quickly. A 4-wheel-drive LS averaged 15.8 mpg in mixed driving, which is about on track for this league. Isuzu-engineered part-time push-button 4-wheel-drive is convenient to use, but most current rivals offer 4WD systems that don't need to be disengaged on dry pavement. Passenger space is good, except for a shortage of rear toe room. The driver enjoys a commanding position, even though the seat is not height-adjustable and its positioning does not suit everyone. The firmly-padded driver's seat earns high marks, however. A simple dashboard layout is marred only by undersized audio controls--recessed and positioned a bit too far away for no-distraction use by the driver. Step-in height is a little lower than the midsize-SUV norm, making it reasonably easy to get in and out. Back doors allow passengers to slip through easily, but narrow openings hinder exiting. Forward visibility is excellent, thanks to a low cowl and hood, but the optional outside spare tire interferes with the rearward view. The side-opening tailgate demands cumbersome 2-handed operation. To open it, you must first raise the window; to close, you must reach into the hinge area and release a bare-metal lever to free the door.
Value for the Money
Like the Rodeo, Honda's SUV emphasizes the "sport" in sport-utility. But Isuzu's version has outsold the Passport by almost 3-to-1. Lack of outstanding features sets neither one above the competition, and high prices are an obstacle.

Expert Ratings Summary

Category Honda Passport LX 2WD Rating
Performance 4
Fuel Economy 3
Ride Quality 2
Steering/Handling/Braking 4
Quietness 4
Controls/Materials 6
Interior Room 6
Room/Comfort (rear) 4
Cargo Capacity 8
Value within Class 3
Total Score: 44

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Honda Passport includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Honda Passport .

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Audio system: Speakers crackle or cut in and out from a broken wire or bad ground (1998-99) and whine when using the cassette player because of a misrouted power wire (1998).

Mirrors: The outside mirror cracks when the rear-window defroster is turned on because the heated mirror is not evenly heated. (1998)

Rough idle: Intake gasket cracks may cause rough idle and check engine light to illuminate. Fix requires installing a revised gasket. (1998-02)

Steering noise: The steering wheel makes a scraping noise because the wiring harness for the airbag rubs on the wiring reel. (1998)

Vehicle noise: The dash squeaks because the clear lens for the instruments rubs on the panel. (1998)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.
Item Name Repair Cost
A/C Compressor $505
Alternator $350
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $820
Brakes $320
Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing $410
Constant Velocity Joints $1,150
Exhaust System $380
Radiator $415
Shocks and/or Struts $900
Timing Chain or Belt $255
Our price chart for this generation Honda Passport details a range of prices in year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Prices Good Average Poor
2002
Passport EX $6,700-8,200 $5,900-7,200 $3,100-3,800
Passport LX $5,900-7,000 $5,100-6,100 $2,500-2,900
2001
Passport EX $5,400-6,800 $4,600-5,800 $2,200-2,800
Passport LX $4,700-5,700 $3,900-4,800 $1,800-2,200
2000
Passport EX $4,400-5,800 $3,700-4,800 $1,500-2,000
Passport LX $3,800-4,700 $3,100-3,900 $1,200-1,500
1999
Passport EX $3,800-4,700 $3,100-3,900 $1,200-1,500
Passport LX $3,200-4,200 $2,500-3,300 $800-1,100
1998
Passport EX $3,200-4,000 $2,500-3,100 $800-1,000
Passport LX $2,700-3,500 $2,000-2,600 $600-800
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.
Specs for this generation Honda Passport include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification 4-door wagon
Wheelbase, in. 106.4
Overall Length, in. 177.4
Overall Width, in. 70.4
Overall Height, in. 67.9
Curb Weight, lbs. 3860
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 81.1
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 21.1
Seating Capacity 5
Front Head Room, in. 38.9
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.1
Rear Head Room, in. 38.3
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 35.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Power came from a 3.2-liter, dual-overhead-cam V6 engine that delivered 205 horsepower. Either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic might be installed.
Engines Size liters /
cu. in		 Horse- power Torque Transmission:
EPA city/hgwy		 Consumer Guide Observed
dohc V6 3.2 / 193 205 214 5-speed manual: 18/20
4-speed automatic: 16/20		 5-speed manual: --
4-speed automatic: 15.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Built In:  USA
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Honda Passport include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test 1999 Passport
Front Impact, Driver 4
Front Impact, Passenger 4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1998-2002 Honda Passport directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.

NHTSA Recall History

1998: Improperly crimped ground connection terminal in engine-wiring harness can eventually cause stress fracture, causing powertrain control module to receive an erroneous signal that may result in "no-start" condition or possible engine stalling.
1998-99: Insufficient paint hardness on rear axles, due to uneven application, could result in loosening of nut for lower link bracket bolt, possibly leading to separation of link from axle.
2001: Passenger-side airbag modules were shipped without enough generant and missing a necessary component--a check-valve pin. The airbag will not inflate properly.
2002: In five specified states, if fuel has been contaminated with silicon, small pinholes may develop in fuel pump feed port; leakage could lead to fire.

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