1997 Honda Passport Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 23%of 56 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,900miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the body and structure of the 1997 Honda Passport, 23% of the 56 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,900 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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?”
NHTSA complaint #10644620, filed 2014-10, 122,000 miles“I took my 97 Honda Passport to the mechanic to have my water pump looked at. While the car was on his lift, he noticed a considerable amount of rust on the frame. There were places where the frame was rusted out completely. I have never used this SUV off road and have maintained it well. A friend of mine also had a Passport like mine that did the same thing.”
NHTSA complaint #10262212, filed 2009-03, 99,800 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10706565, filed 2015-04, 160,000 miles“I bought the car at 74,671 miles, it was burning 1/2 quart every 500 miles. At 80,044 mi the engine was rebuilt with new rings, valve seals and the whole works. The engine is still burning the same amount of oil, and have troubles with other things. Such as belts,crank pulley,instruments,4x4 valves and frame corrosion.”
NHTSA complaint #10093455, filed 2004-10, 80,894 miles“1997 Honda Passport - body in excellent shape. Interior - very nice. Frame is in horrific condition. The complete frame is extremely rusted from front to rear and in a very weakened state. Transmission cross-member support at frame is also rusted very bad. Front cab supports rusted very bad. The rear spring attachment, left side, rusted and collapsed. It came unattached from the badly rusted frame. Right side, rear, appears in very bad shape also. This frame has been patched and welded many times. It will continually need to be patched and repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10347862, filed 2010-08, 60,000 milesBody and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 4% |
| 2025 | 2 | 4% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 11 | 4% |
| 2002 | 6 | 26% |
| 2001 | 70 | 52% |
| 2000 | 31 | 30% |
| 1999 | 33 | 14% |
| 1998 | 35 | 15% |
| 1997 | 13 | 23% |
| 1996 | 12 | 29% |
| 1995 | 12 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Honda Passport
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Honda Passport
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology