Model year guide

1997 Honda Passport

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Honda Passport is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

1997 Honda Passport — representative photo
Representative photo

1997 Honda Passport at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints64
Combined15–18 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1997 Honda Passport recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1997 Honda Passport.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1997 Honda Passport common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

1997 Honda Passport safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1997 Honda Passport 4-DR. 4x4. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1997 Honda Passport MPG & running costs

Combined15–18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway18 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,200
EPA size classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$9,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Honda Passport costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,000
Fuel only$21,000
Per mile$0.28

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 42

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 42.

HEATER BLOWER MOTOR GETS HOT OR BLOWS A FUSE. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT

Bulletin 11012003 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2003

IDENTIFYING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT SOLENOIDS. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT

Bulletin 11012003 · Power Train · Nov 2003

DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT SOLENOIDS. *TT

Bulletin 1003 · Power Train · Oct 2003

HEATER BLOWER MOTOR OVERHEATS OR BLOWS FUSE. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING THE 2004 INSIGHT AND S2000. *TT

Bulletin 1003 · Equipment · Oct 2003

CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY REPORT FOR THE 1997-99 HONDA IGNITION SWITCH RECALL CAMPAIGN. LETTER TO SERVICE MANAGER. *TT

Bulletin 052203 · Electrical System · May 2003

CHECK (ATF) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID CONDITION TO DIAGNOSE (A/T) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. *TT *JB

Bulletin 010103 · Power Train · Jan 2003

A STICKING IDLE AIR CONTROL (IAC) VALVE CAN USE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0101. IF THE FUEL AND EMISSIONS MANUAL DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0101 TROUBLESHOOTING IS INCONCLUSIVE, REPLACE THE IAC VALVE. *TT

Bulletin 1202 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2002

ENGINE CONTROL MODULE/POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (ECM/PCM) CONNECTOR DOESN'T MATCH ETM. *TT

Bulletin 1202 · Electrical System · Dec 2002

STRAINING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID (ATF) TO DIAGNOSE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. *TT

Bulletin 1202 · Power Train · Dec 2002

TRAILER HITCH BALL SHANK SIZES AND PART NUMBERS. HONDA OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. *TT

Bulletin 1002 · Trailer Hitches · Oct 2002

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PASSPORT. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Honda Passport

The Honda Passport is a line of sport utility vehicles (SUV) from the Japanese automaker Honda. Originally, it was a rebadged version of the Isuzu Rodeo, a mid-size SUV sold between 1993 and 2002. It was introduced in 1993 for the 1994 model year as Honda's first entry into the growing SUV market of the 1990s in the United States. The first and second generation Passport was manufactured by Subaru Isuzu Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana. Like various other Honda models, it re-used a name from their motorcycle division, the Honda C75 Passport. The other two name candidates were Elsinore and Odyssey, the latter would be re-used a year later on a minivan.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1997 Honda Passport vehicles on record

1997 Honda Passport 1997 Honda Passport4S6CM58W7W4403498 1997 Honda Passport 1997 Honda Passport4S6CM58W5W4411065 1997 Honda Passport 1997 Honda Passport4S6CM58V2V4413622

Other Honda Passport model years

2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1996 1995 1994

1997 Honda Passport — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Honda Passport have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1997 Honda Passport. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Honda Passport?

Across all 64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, engine and engine cooling, power train.

What is the 1997 Honda Passport safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1997 Honda Passport crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Honda Passport get?

The 1997 Honda Passport has U.S. EPA estimates of 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (5 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.