Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Honda Passport, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 57 | 39% |
| Suspension | 23 | 16% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 7% |
| Suspension | 8 | 5% |
| Power train | 6 | 4% |
| Air bags | 6 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 3% |
| Visibility | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 m
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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, MIDLOTHI
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
IT'S A RECALL ON MY HONDA PASSPORT 2001 10V436000-BRACKET CORRODES AND DETACHES PEARSON HONDA SAID THEY DIDN'T SEE A RECALL IN THERE SYSTEM THEY HAVE 3 RECALLS
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA PASSPORT. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS SWAYING. THE DRIVER COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I WAS CHANGING THE TIRES AND NOTICED A HUGE WHOLE ON THE BOTTOM FRAME EXTREME CORROSION... AFRAID TO DRIVE
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
FRAME RUSTED OUT AND FUEL TANK MOUNTING BRACKET RUSTED THROUGH.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA PASSPORT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THA
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2001 Honda Passport. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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,
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AREA. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH LITTLE OR NO CORROSION IS FOUND, THE AREA WILL BE TREATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE COMPOUND. FOR VEHICLES IN WHI
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE INFLATORS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULES HAVING THE WRONG AMOUNT OF GENERANT.
Risk: 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
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG UNIT.
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 7, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 74 | good |
| Depreciation | 70 | good |
| Performance | 60 | average |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 146 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 57 of them (39%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.