Which Years Of Used Honda Passports Are Most Reliable?
Honda Passport by Kevauto - CC-BY-SA-4.0
There’s no denying the popularity of midsize SUVs. Models like the Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Murano, Kia Sorento, and Mazda CX-9 are some of the most highly-sought vehicles on the market. With that said, one model that we don’t often get to see at the top of the sales charts is the Honda Passport.
The Honda Passport was introduced in the 1990s and was essentially a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo. The Passport had a decent run in the 90s before it was discontinued with the 2002 model. But Honda wasn’t done with the Passport and decided to re-release the SUV as a stubbier version of the popular Pilot.
THE HONDA PASSPORT YEARS TO AVOID
As someone interested in buying a Honda Passport, it’s safe to assume that you have questions. So to help you avoid buying a lemon, we’ve outlined which Honda Passport years to avoid and what you should know before buying one.
The Passport is undoubtedly a solid option if you’re in the market for a midsize SUV with peppy engine options, ample cargo space, and best-in-class driver assist and safety features. If you’re buying used, you’re likely wondering which is the most reliable Honda Passport year. Lucky for you, we’re here to help.
For today’s buyers’ guide, we walk you through all Passport generations to determine which is the most reliable Honda Passport year for buying used and which ones you should skip.
1994-1997 Honda Passport (1st Gen)
You should probably skip this generation of the Passport if you’re uncomfortable buying an almost three-decade SUV. However, the Passport had a pretty good first outing and might be worth the look if you don’t mind the age.
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Buy: 1994 Honda Passport
As a debut model, the 1994 Honda Passport has gracefully aged over time. If you plan to buy an older Passport, the 1994 Passport is worth considering. Although the design is quite dated, it’s a very reliable SUV wagon that should serve you for a good while. It received a few reports of excessive vibration and acceleration issues, but nothing major. Ultimately, it’s the oldest Passport model, so manage your expectations when shopping around.
1998-2002 Honda Passport (2nd Gen)
The second-generation Honda Passport is a safer option if you’re buying used. However, some years of second-gen Passports have major reliability problems and must be avoided.
Avoid: 1998-1999 Honda Passport
The 1998 and 1999 Passports are known to have body integrity issues, mainly with frame rust. According to numerous reports, the 1998 and 1999 Passports struggled with significant frame rust. One complainant wrote:
“Our family owns a 1998 Honda Passport with serious frame rusting and frame rot. We have maintained and serviced the vehicle regularly and have had it serviced numerous times. Our incident occurred when we noticed that the vehicle started to drive like a tank. In other words, it became hard to turn and you could feel every bump in the road.”
Moreover, both Passport models were also affected by transmission problems. Frustrated owners claimed to experience symptoms like delayed shifting, grinding noises during acceleration, and excessive vibrations. Unfortunately, the most common fix is to replace the transmission system, which is very expensive.
Avoid the 1998 and 1999 Passports if possible, especially with high-mileage vehicles since this generation was prone to frame rust.
Avoid: 2001 Honda Passport
CarComplaints.com has declared the 2001 Passport the worst model year of the SUV. It collected over 170 complaints and three recalls. As you might expect, the dreaded frame rust issue has also affected the 2001 Passport. Apparently, the rear part of the frame was very prone to thorough rusting–it became so bad that it affected the vehicle’s handling. One user described their scary experience:
“My daughter and I were out driving when the car became uncontrollable. it felt like we had lost a wheel. after looking over the car we noticed that the sway arm at the rear driver’s side tire had pulled completely thru the frame.”
Another trouble spot where the 2001 Passport struggled was suspension problems related to the rotted frame defect. As such, many of the complaints claimed that their vehicle failed state inspection due to extreme frame rust. If you’re looking for the most reliable Honda Passport year, this model is not it.
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2019-2022 Honda Passport (3rd Gen)
As mentioned, the Honda Passport was re-released with the 2019 model, essentially a sawed-off version of the Pilot. Riding on a new platform, the Honda Passport is now in its best generation yet.
Buy: 2019 Honda Passport
The 2019 Passport marked a triumphant return for Honda’s midsize SUV. While the 2019 Passport didn’t exactly offer an inspiring performance or an upscale interior, it delivered a lot in terms of reliability.
CarandDriver tested the 2019 Passport for 40,000 miles and had nothing but good things to say about the SUV. The automotive publication praised the 2019 Passport for its reliability, comfort, and versatility. In 14 months of testing, the Passport had no unexpected breakdowns, no tech issues, and recalls were promptly addressed.
Consumer Reports also reviewed the 2019 Passport favorably, giving it a 5.0 out of 5.0 score in reliability. According to the consumer guide website, the Passport scored high marks in various major trouble spots, including engine, cooling, transmission, drive system, climate system, suspension, and brakes. The only area that scored lower was the electrical system.
The 2019 model is easily the most reliable Honda Passport year for the returning generation.
Buy: 2022 Honda Passport
If you don’t mind buying a practically brand-new Passport, the 2022 model is worthy of a spot on your shortlist. For starters, the 2022 Passport also received a perfect reliability verdict of 5.0 out of 5.0 from Consumer Reports. In addition, this Passport year also got the coveted “CR Recommended” designation, which means you’re getting a great SUV that delivers on all fronts, including reliability and value proposition.
Based on the website’s evaluation, the 2022 is even more reliable than 2019, with near-perfect scores on all major trouble spots, except for the noises and leaks category. Meanwhile, the Honda Passport also received a favorable rating from J.D. Power, scoring 83 out of 100 in the Quality and Reliability category.
Overall, it’s hard to go wrong with the 2022 Passport, especially if long-term reliability is crucial to you.
THE BEST USED LUXURY CARS ON THE MARKET
Buying a used or CPO luxury car is one of the smartest buys you can make - you can get a lot of car for not much money. You can pick up a three-year-old luxury car for about half of what you’d pay new. Check out this list of the best used luxury cars on the market to find the best deals.
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