2002 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 1st of the 3 years of the 2000–2002 Passport we score.
- Owner complaints
- 23
- 1 is a recall notice
- Per 10,000 cars
- 36.7
- 5,999 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 1.0×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 6
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 2
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
- no overall rating before 2011
Should You Buy the 2002 Honda Passport?
Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2002 Honda Passport is 70 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 1st 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 (9 of 23 complaints). Owners also complain about the engine and frontal airbags. 6 of the 23 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 2 recalls. For comparison, the 2001 scores 62.
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
- Good reliability score of 70
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
Cons
- Frame or structure: rust or corrosion9 complaints
- Engine: stalling3 complaints
- Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash3 complaints
How the 2002 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 problems6 complaints · average car: about 7.1 | 0.87× | −16 |
| Everyday problems16 complaints · average car: about 12 | 1.3× | −8 |
| Problems in the last two years0 complaints · average car: under 0.1 | Not counted | – |
| Recalls2 recalls · average car: about 2.9 | 0.82× | −6 |
| Score | 70 |
The last two years are not counted for the 2002 Passport. Honda made 5,999 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 23 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 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 23.
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion
9 complaints (39%)
Rust or corrosion, damage and parts breaking or coming apart. 3 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 127,000 miles.
Engine: stalling
3 complaints (13%)
Stalling. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
3 complaints (13%)
No deployment in a crash.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (9%)
Sudden acceleration. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a crash.
Reported Once (11)
Show the 11 problems reported once
- Ball joints and control arms: rust or corrosion
- Brakes: loss of braking
- Check engine light (cause not stated)
- Engine oil sludge failure
- Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
- Brake pedal: parts breaking or coming apart
- Vehicle jerks while driving (cause not stated)
- Seat belts: over-sensitive retractor
- Sway bar links: parts breaking or coming apart
- Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
- Transmission failure
How the 2002 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 This year | Good | 70 | 1.0× | 36.7 | 2 | Frame or structure: rust or corrosion |
| 2001 | 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 |
2002 Honda Passport Recalls
Two recalls cover the 2002 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.
Fuel Pump (ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICA)
A fuel leak could lead to a vehicle fire.
NHTSA 05V466000Owner letter (PDF)Issued Oct 7, 2005.
2002 Honda Passport NHTSA Investigations
NHTSA has opened three investigations that cover the 2002 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 2002 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 2002 Passport ratings on NHTSA.gov.
4-door
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2002 Passport, from its two 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
- Fuel Pump (ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICA) NHTSA 05V466000
On the Test Drive
- Confirm every airbag recall on this VIN has been repaired before you buy.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Frame and body structure
- Engine
- Frontal airbags
- 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