AI Damage1997 Honda Passport: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Honda Passport filed 56 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 56
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 23% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 21% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 9% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
- Structure: 13 complaints (23% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 12 complaints (21% of all).
- Powertrain: 8 complaints (14% of all).
- Suspension: 5 complaints (9% of all).
- Visibility: 5 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.2 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 56 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While traveling 30 mph, vehicle was struck from front and side, neither airbag deployed. 1 person was injured in accident, vehicle was totaled.
Dual airbags did not deploy, causing injuries to consumer. Honda will send someone to inspect.
During rear impact the driver's side seatback collapsed backwards, resulting in multiple injuries.
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.
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?
The frame has rusted through in the rear of the vehicle causing the leaf spring in the back to fall down. My rear end is no longer held in place and can fall out from the rear of the vehicle. My car is no longer drivable. It's a 97 honda passport.
When changing the brakes I noticed a lot of surface rust when I inspected further I found two holes in frame one on the front passenger side behind the wheel and the second in the rear on the drivers side infront of the backside of the leaf spring shackle the hole in the back is as tall of the frame rail and about 10…
The suspension crack was due to rust build up on the frame. The contact called the manufacturer advised him to take vehicle to the dealer. The contact stated the vehicle was very unstable and unsafe to drive. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 170,000.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,040 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 14% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Passport has 85 complaints (20 years in the data). This year has 56, below average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other years of this model
- Passport 199436 sources
- Passport 199560 sources
- Passport 199641 sources
- Passport 1998229 sources
- Passport 1999228 sources
- Passport 2000102 sources
- Passport 2001134 sources
- Passport 200223 sources
- Passport 2019401 sources
- Passport 2020219 sources
- Passport 2021239 sources
- Passport 2022149 sources
- Passport 2023117 sources
- Passport 202453 sources
- Passport 202566 sources
- Passport 202685 sources
- Passport 99995 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Honda Passport?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, engine and cooling, powertrain. Total complaints: 56. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (25%), knocking, grinding or other noise (11%), warning lights, check engine (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Honda Passport?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Honda Passport from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.