2001 Honda Passport Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026
A truck-style, body-on-frame SUV built in Indiana, sharing parts and recalls with the Isuzu Rodeo. Not the same car as the 2019–2026 Passport.
Ranks 3rd of the 3 years of the 2000–2002 Passport we score.
- Owner complaints
- 134
- 10 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 73.0
- 16,997 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 2.0×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 39
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 3
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
- no overall rating before 2011
Should You Buy the 2001 Honda Passport?
Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2001 Honda Passport is 62 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 2.0 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 3rd of the 3 years of the 2000–2002 Passport we score.
The most reported problem is the frame and body structure, mostly rust or corrosion (84 of 134 complaints). Owners also complain about ball joints and control arms and fuel tank or fuel lines. 39 of the 134 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 3 recalls. For comparison, the 2000 scores 67 and the 2002 scores 70.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
Cons
- About 2.0 times the problems of the average car its age
- Frame or structure: rust or corrosion84 complaints
- Ball joints and control arms: parts breaking or coming apart11 complaints
- Fuel leak: rust or corrosion9 complaints
How the 2001 Passport Earned Its Score
Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems39 complaints · average car: about 20 | 1.9× | −22 |
| Everyday problems85 complaints · average car: about 34 | 2.4× | −10 |
| Problems in the last two years0 complaints · average car: about 0.1 | Not counted | – |
| Recalls3 recalls · average car: about 3.2 | 0.97× | −6 |
| Score | 62 |
The last two years are not counted for the 2001 Passport. Honda made 16,997 of them, and at this age an average car made in that number would get only about 0.1 complaints of any kind in two years. We need at least 5 to compare, so we leave this part out. Its 30% goes to serious and everyday problems instead, so they make up 80% of the score rather than 50%.
Each part shows two counts: this year's so far, and what an average car would have at the same age. For complaints, that average car was made in the same number as this one. “Vs average” compares the two counts, but in our scoring system we first add a little to both, so a few complaints cannot swing the result. That is why it is not simply one count divided by the other. The last two years count only complaints about five systems: the engine and fuel system, transmission, brakes, steering, and airbags and seat belts.
What Owners Report
We read all 134 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Honda Passport, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 134.
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion
84 complaints (63%)
Rust or corrosion, parts breaking or coming apart and a failure. 41 of these 84 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 103,000 miles.
Ball joints and control arms: parts breaking or coming apart
11 complaints (8%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, damage and rust or corrosion. 8 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 98,000 miles.
Fuel leak: rust or corrosion
9 complaints (7%)
Rust or corrosion, parts breaking or coming apart and a leak. Median mileage when it started: about 105,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
7 complaints (5%)
Sudden acceleration. 5 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 176,000 miles.
Brakes: loss of braking
5 complaints (4%)
Loss of braking and a failure that needed a new part. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.
Engine sensors or computer: sudden acceleration
4 complaints (3%)
Sudden acceleration and a failure. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
3 complaints (2%)
Warning lights.
Sway bar links: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. Median mileage when it started: about 125,000 miles.
Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
3 complaints (2%)
Harsh or delayed shifts. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
ABS: the system acting on its own
2 complaints (1%)
The system acting on its own and a feature that stopped working.
Several warning lights at once
2 complaints (1%)
Warning lights.
Engine: stalling
2 complaints (1%)
Stalling. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2 complaints (1%)
Burning or using oil.
Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part and a leak.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
2 complaints (1%)
No deployment in a crash.
Show 7 more problems
Fuel economy: high fuel use
2 complaints (1%)
High fuel use.
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
2 complaints (1%)
Wrong readings.
Fuel system: a leak
2 complaints (1%)
A leak.
Seat belts failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure and locking up.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
2 complaints (1%)
Hard starting.
Tires: shattering or cracking
2 complaints (1%)
Shattering or cracking and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Transmission fluid leak
2 complaints (1%)
A leak.
Reported Once (21)
Show the 21 problems reported once
- Uneven tire wear: early wear
- Cooling system: parts breaking or coming apart
- Engine failure
- Exhaust manifold failure
- Exterior trim: shattering or cracking
- Fuel pump failure
- Intercooler or charge air cooler: stalling
- Loss of power (cause not stated)
- Noise (cause not stated)
- Front end unstable and pulling left (cause not stated)
- Rear axle: rust or corrosion
- Serpentine belt failure
- Torsion bars: rust or corrosion
- Unidentified part underneath cracked (cause not stated)
- Vehicle drifts right (cause not stated)
- Rear window glass: shattering or cracking
- Struts or shocks failure
- Shifter or park: the car rolling away
- Valve train: parts breaking or coming apart
- Vibration (cause not stated)
- Wiring, fuses or body control module failure
How the 2001 Honda Passport Compares With Other Years
The other Passport years of the 2nd generation, 2000 to 2002.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Good | 70 | 1.0× | 36.7 | 2 | Frame or structure: rust or corrosion |
| 2001 This year | Caution | 62 | 2.0× | 73.0 | 3 | Frame or structure: rust or corrosion |
| 2000 | Caution | 67 | 1.5× | 47.8 | 1 | Frame or structure: rust or corrosion |
2001 Honda Passport Recalls
Three recalls cover the 2001 Honda Passport. The most recent was issued in September 2010: “Rear Suspension Lower Link Brackets (ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICA).” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
Rear Suspension Lower Link Brackets (ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICA)
Excessive corrosion may result in the left or right rear suspension lower link bracket becoming detached from the frame, which can affect vehicle handling and potentially cause a crash.
NHTSA 10V436000Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 22, 2010.
Air Bag Module
On certain sport utility vehicles, the passenger-side air bag inflator modules were manufactured and shipped without a necessary component known as a check valve pin. In the event of a crash, the air bag will not inflate properly or sufficiently resulting in an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant.
NHTSA 02V213001Issued Aug 9, 2002.
Isuzu/Passenger Side Air Bag (ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED)
In the event of a crash that would trigger a passenger air bag deployment, too much generant can cause the inflator module to explode. If the air bag module explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupants.
NHTSA 01V055000Issued Feb 22, 2001.
2001 Honda Passport NHTSA Investigations
NHTSA has opened three investigations that cover the 2001 Honda Passport. Two led to a recall and one closed without one.
Rear suspension lower link separating from the frame in Passports
Led to a recallNHTSA's preliminary evaluation looked at rear suspension lower links separating from the frame on 1998-2002 Passports. Isuzu said corrosion builds slowly and gives warning. NHTSA counted 60 reports, including 1 alleging a crash and 7 a loss of control, most with no warning. It upgraded the case to engineering analysis EA09-018 in December 2009. Its record links recall 10V-436.
NHTSA PE09030Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jun 16, 2009 to Dec 8, 2009
Road deicing corrosion detaching a rear suspension link bracket
Led to a recallNHTSA's engineering analysis covered 1998-2002 Honda Passports and Isuzu Rodeos. Road deicing materials could corrode a rear suspension lower link bracket until it came off the frame. That could affect handling and cause a crash. Isuzu recalled about 120,000 vehicles bought or driven in 21 states and Washington DC, under recall 10V-436. NHTSA closed the case in October 2010.
NHTSA EA09018Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Dec 7, 2009 to Oct 15, 2010
Petition on fuel tanks coming loose from rust in Passports
Closed without a recallA petition asked NHTSA to investigate rust-related fuel tank detachment in Isuzu Rodeos and similar vehicles, including the Isuzu-built 2001-2002 Honda Passports. NHTSA found 19 partial detachments, all in states with heavy road salt use, on vehicles over 10 years old. None caused leaks or fires. NHTSA saw no defect trend and denied the petition in March 2020.
NHTSA DP18001Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)May 23, 2018 to Mar 5, 2020
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA gave the 2001 Passport no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2001 Passport ratings on NHTSA.gov.
4-door
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2001 Passport, from its three recalls and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Rear Suspension Lower Link Brackets (ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICA) NHTSA 10V436000
- Air Bag Module NHTSA 02V213001
- Isuzu/Passenger Side Air Bag (ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED) NHTSA 01V055000
On the Test Drive
- Look for uneven tire wear and listen for clunks or humming that changes with speed.
- Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Frame and body structure
- Ball joints and control arms
- Fuel tank or fuel lines
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next