1998 Honda Passport Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 8%of 229 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,038miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Honda Passport, 8% of the 229 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,038 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Valve train premature wear. Requires an upper end rebuild at my expense. Making a loud click during acceleration. Told by dealership this is a common problem. But, dealership will not warranty an obviously manufacturer defect. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**768006”
NHTSA complaint #10007421, filed 2002-10, 47,000 miles“When starting vehicle RPM raves up like accelerator pedal is being depressed, but vehicle is in park gear. Then when gear is shifted, there is a banging noise. While driving vehicle jerks backward then it dies out. Per dealership this is caused by automatic transmission failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10029828, filed 2003-07, 39,000 miles“Transmission seems to be slipping, it shifts in a dramatic loud manner. A large jolt occurs when changing gears. This occurs completely sporadically, it will function normally for a few days and then malfunction several times, and then return to normal. When taken to transmission shop I was told it was fine, this is partly due to the fact that there is no way to check the transmission fluid without dropping the pan. This problem has persisted for a few months and still continues today.”
NHTSA complaint #10093124, filed 2004-09, 68,075 miles“Car has trouble starting. Takes several attempts to start. Trouble began in february of 2004. Took car to nissan dealer where purchased in march of 2003 because of dealer service contract. Replaced oxygen sensors in march of 2004. Engine light returned on restart. Replaced battery in may of 2004 after car would not start and customer left stranded, engine light returned again. Took to auto zone to find service code. Pulled manufacture code p1170. Honda service of gilbert told me that it was a manifold gasket defect and would not be covered. …”
NHTSA complaint #10080451, filed 2004-07, 50,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Honda Passport. While driving 55 MPH, the engine and transmission warning indicators illuminated. In addition, while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the general motor code 1870 (transmission) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 173,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11161256, filed 2018-12, 173,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10139609Feb 4, 2014Service bulletin - The MIL comes on and DTC P1441 (EVAP System Flow During Non-Purge) is set. The PCM software does not compensate for signal variation in the fuel tank pressure…
- 10054948Feb 4, 2014Honda: due to mil coming on and dtc p1441 is set, pcm software will not compensate for variation in fuel tank pressure sensor, when fuel sloshes in full fuel tank. Model…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 7% |
| 2025 | 7 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 5 | 13% |
| 2022 | 11 | 17% |
| 2021 | 23 | 16% |
| 2020 | 6 | 6% |
| 2019 | 25 | 9% |
| 2002 | 2 | 9% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 13 | 13% |
| 1999 | 26 | 11% |
| 1998 | 19 | 8% |
| 1997 | 8 | 14% |
| 1996 | 2 | 5% |
| 1995 | 7 | 12% |
| 1994 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1998 Honda Passport
64 complaintsSuspension
48 complaintsBody and structure
35 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsEngine cooling
24 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Honda Passport
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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