Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Special Purpose Vehicles

1996 Honda PassportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 48 owner complaints for the 1996 Honda Passport. Most complaints involve structure (12) and engine and engine cooling (7). The EPA rates it 15–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–18mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
48
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1996 Honda Passport as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

48 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 1996 – Jul 2015
  1. Structure12
  2. Engine and engine cooling7
  3. Air bags7
  4. Suspension5
  5. Electrical system4
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  7. Vehicle speed control3
  8. Visibility3
  9. Steering3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Passport model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199648
199763
1998244
1999238
2000112
2001144
200235
2019282
2020104
2021146
202264
202340
202420
202548
202669
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
4
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

12 reports
“THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING EXTREME FRAME CORROSION OF BOTH THE FORWARD AND REAR FRAME MEMBER. THERE ARE LARGE PERFORATIONS IN MULTIPLE AREAS ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE FRAME, AND I DON'T SEE ANY WAY TO REPAIR OTHER THAN A COMPLETE FRAME REPLACEMENT. WHY IS THE DIVIDING LINE FOR THE RECALL 10V436000 SET AT THE 1998 MODEL YEAR? THIS IS THE SAME BASIC VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ROTTED FRAME AS THOSE INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE DOORS SHOULD ROT OF A VEHICLE LONG BEFORE THE FRAME BECOMES AN ISSUE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 20, 2011Suspension, StructureODI 10440544

Engine and engine cooling

7 reports
“CHECK ENGINE KEEPS COMING ON & OFF.. WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND/OR ENGAGING THE LEFT HAND TURN SIGNAL; THIS CAUSES THE HORN TO SOUND. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN NUMEROUS TIMES COSTING $130.00 TO RUN THE TEST I AM TOLD THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS IS VERY TROUBLING AS I HAVE A TODDLER AND THIS IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY CONCERN NOT TO MENTION A BUDGET BREAKER AS THIS HAS COST ME APPROXIMATELY $1000.00. I FINALLY DECIDED TO STOP TAKING IT IN AS THE ONLY OUTCOME WAS A LITTLE LESS MONEY IN MY MONEY AND THE FAILURES STILL OCCURRING. THIS AS BEEN ON GOING SINCE 2003 WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2006Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 10154918

Air bags

7 reports5 crashes
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON A DRY COUNTRY ROAD AT 30 MPH; THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE HOWEVER THEY DID WORK PROPERLY. THERE WERE NO AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2006Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10166311
All 1996 Passport problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicles
Engines
2.6L 4-cyl · 3.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Passport 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172018$3,550494
Passport 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151716$4,000555
Passport 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151716$4,000555
Passport 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141715$4,300592
Passport 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$4,300592
  • Passport 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.6 L
    17 city · 20 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Passport 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 17 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Passport 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 17 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Passport 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    14 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Passport 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    14 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Honda Passport as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 3629
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1996 Passport questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Honda Passport have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.

What are the most common 1996 Honda Passport problems?

Owners filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (12), engine and engine cooling (7), air bags (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Honda Passport get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Honda Passport at 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026