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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2001 Honda PassportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 144 owner complaints for the 2001 Honda Passport. Most complaints involve structure (70) and suspension (33). The EPA rates it 16–17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–17mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Sep 2010
Owner complaints
144
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

ISUZU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2002 ISUZU RODEO AND MODEL YEAR 2002 ISUZU AXIOM VEHICLES, AND HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1998-2002 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES, THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED, IN THE STATES OF MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, AND KENTUCKY. VEHICLES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SUSTAINED EXPOSURE TO HIGHLY CORROSIVE MATERIALS USED IN SOME JURISDICTIONS FOR ROAD DEICING PURPOSES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE VICINITY OF THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT BRACKET FOR THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK PRIOR TO THE TIME THAT SUCH CORROSION WOULD NORMALLY BE EXPECTED.

SuspensionReported Sep 22, 2010NHTSA 10V436000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Aug 9, 2002NHTSA 02V213001

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE INFLATORS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULES HAVING THE WRONG AMOUNT OF GENERANT.

Air bagsReported Feb 22, 2001NHTSA 01V055000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

144 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2001 – Oct 2023
  1. Structure70
  2. Suspension33
  3. Vehicle speed control12
  4. Fuel system, gasoline9
  5. Power train9
  6. Air bags7
  7. Engine and engine cooling7
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic5
  9. Seat belts3

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
2021145
202264
202340
202420
202548
202669
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
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

70 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2001 Honda Passport. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the rear sub frame was extremely rusted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to replace the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2023StructureODI 11548464

Suspension

33 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON DISCOVERED CORROSION FORMING AROUND THE AXLE AND THE SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED PEARSON HONDA (14001 HULL STREET RD, MIDLOTHIAN, VA 23112, (804) 745-0300) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V436000(SUSPENSION), WHICH SHE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2019SuspensionODI 11286597

Vehicle speed control

12 reports6 crashes
“GOT INTO VEHICLE AND STARTED IT UP. PUT INTO REVERSE AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND SHOT BACKWARDS VERY FAST. WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE IT HAD NO EFFECT UNTIL SLAMMING INTO THE HOUSE THAT WAS ACROSS THE STREET.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 8, 2016Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10933921
All 2001 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

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-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
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Passport 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151917$3,800523
Passport 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151917$3,800523
Passport 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151916$4,000555
  • Passport 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Passport 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Passport 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Passport 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    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 2001 Honda Passport as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 4254
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

2001 Passport questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Honda Passport have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Honda Passport problems?

Owners filed 144 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (70), suspension (33), vehicle speed control (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Honda Passport get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Honda Passport at 16–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026