1996 Honda Passport Problems
- Complaints
- 41filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 138,441miles, 15 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 16 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Honda Passport (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 1996 Honda Passport. The part named most often is body and structure, with 12 complaints (29% of the total), followed by engine cooling (7) and air bags (5). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 138,441 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 10 an injury, 4 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure12 29%
- Engine cooling7 17%
- Air bags5 12%
- Suspension5 12%
- Electrical system4 9.8%
- Brakes3 7.3%
- Steering3 7.3%
- Other or unknown2 4.9%
- Vehicle speed control2 4.9%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Body and structure: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10436425, filed 2011-11, 60,000 milesEngine cooling: “Check engine keeps coming on & off.. When making a left hand turn and/or engaging the left hand turn signal; this causes the horn to sound. After taking the vehicle in numerous times costing $130.00 to run the test I am told they are not able to find anything wrong. This is very troubling as I have a toddler and this is certainly a safety concern not to mention a budget breaker as this has cost me approximately $1000.00. I finally decided to stop taking it in as the only outcome was a little less money in my money and the failures still occurring. …”
NHTSA complaint #10154918, filed 2006-04, 96,000 milesAir bags: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10166311, filed 2006-08, 157,990 milesSuspension: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10731900, filed 2015-07, 125,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 106,000 and 157,990 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Honda Passport. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport · sedan | not rated | 4 / 3 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 Honda Passport version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport 2WD | 2.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Passport 2WD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Passport 2WD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Passport 4WD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Passport 4WD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Honda Passport in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1996 Honda Passport.
Other model years of the Honda Passport
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 69 | 590 | 1 | 5 | 21 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 48 | 22,500 | 0 | 5 | 21 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 20 | 2,200 | 1 | 5 | 21 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 40 | 4,261 | 5 | 5 | 21 | 26 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 63 | 38,100 | 4 | 5 | 22 | 17 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 145 | 5,650 | 7 | 5 | 22 | 78 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 104 | 7,600 | 10 | 5 | 22 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 282 | 6,000 | 10 | 5 | 22 | 87 · More | Stable |
| 2002 | 23 | 116,500 | 2 | — | 17 | — | Falling |
| 2001 | 134 | 100,500 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 102 | 102,504 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 228 | 98,000 | 2 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 229 | 114,550 | 5 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 56 | 99,800 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 41 | 138,441 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 60 | 157,860 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 36 | 111,800 | 4 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Honda Passport model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Honda Passport have?
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 1996 Honda Passport as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Honda Passport is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 12 complaints (29% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 7.
Has the 1996 Honda Passport been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Honda Passport get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Honda Passport (Passport 2WD, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 15 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Honda Passport reported?
Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 138,441 miles and the middle half falls between 106,000 and 157,990 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.