Model year guide

2002 Honda Passport

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Honda Passport is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

2002 Honda Passport — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Honda Passport at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints35
Combined16–17 mpg

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

2002 Honda Passport recalls 2

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #10V436000 · 22/09/2010

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, IN…

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 WHICH CORROSION HAS DAMAGED THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AND AFFECTED ITS CONNECTION TO THE VE…

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #05V466000 · 07/10/2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO FUEL CONTAMINATED WITH SILICON MAY DEVELOP SMALL PIN HOLES IN THE FUEL PUMP FEED PORT. SILICON HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE FUEL SYSTEMS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES AND IN CERTAIN FUEL AVAILABLE IN THE REGION OF TYLER, TEXAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN TEXAS AND THE FOUR SURROUNDING STATES: OKLAHOMA, ARKANSAS, NEW MEXICO AND LOUISIANA.

Fix: FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE STATES IDENTIFIED ABOVE, DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A NEW COVER OVER THE EXISTING FEED PORT ON THE FUEL PUMP OR, IF THE EXISTING FEED PORT HAS ALREADY BEEN DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE NEW COVER. THE NEW COVER WILL BE MADE OF A DIF…

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.

2002 Honda Passport common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

2002 Honda Passport safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2002 Honda Passport 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2002 Honda Passport MPG & running costs

Combined16–17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,013
EPA size classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$8,063 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 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 2002 Honda Passport costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,065
Fuel only$20,065
Per mile$0.27

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

NHTSA defect investigations 3

Fuel Tank Retention Failure Closed

On April 10, 2018, NHTSA received a petition from Mr. Kevin Byrne (the "Petitioner") requesting that the Agency “undertake a defects investigation” of “rust-related detachment of Isuzu Rodeo fuel tanks” (NHTSA ID 11091788). The Petitioner experienced a partial fuel tank detachment in his model year (MY) 2004 Isuzu Rodeo in July 2017. On May 23, 2018, ODI opened DP18-001 to evaluate the Petitioner’s request for a defe…

NHTSA #DP18001 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened May 2018 · closed Mar 2020

Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment Closed

On September 22, 2010, Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall 10V-436) to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration affecting approximately 120,000 model year (MY) 1998-2002 Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport vehicles and MY 2002 Isuzu Axiom vehicles originally sold, or currently operated, in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, the Distri…

NHTSA #EA09018 · Suspension · opened Dec 2009 · closed Oct 2010

REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK FAILURE Closed

DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE09-030, ISUZU MOTORS AMERICA, INC (ISUZU) NOTED TWO PRIMARY DIFFERENCES ONCE THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK SEPARATION OCCURS BETWEEN THE ALLEGED DEFECT (SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE FRAME) OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND A SAFETY DEFECT INVOLVING LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE REAR AXLE ADDRESSED BY ISUZU IN SAFETY RECALL 00V-058. IN THE CASE OF THE DEFECT CONDITION IDENTIFIED IN R…

NHTSA #PE09030 · Suspension · opened Jun 2009 · closed Dec 2009

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 35

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 35.

"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector -Ultrasonic Leak Detector -Leak Dye"

Bulletin A07-030 · Equipment · Jan 2021

Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated.

Bulletin DLR MSG - Honda · Air Bags · Aug 2014

Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-040, Safety Recall: Accord, Civic, and Others ? Front Passenge…

Bulletin DLR MSG - Stop S · Air Bags · Jul 2014

LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY REDUCED LABEL FOR ALL HONDA VEHICLES. *PE

Bulletin 08-040 · Equipment · May 2008

HONDA: WARRANTY EXTENSION-VEHICLE WARRANTY MILEAGE. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ALLEGING THAT THE ODOMETERS ON CERTAIN 2002-2006 HONDA MODELS WERE OVERSTATING MILEAGE. FEDERAL COURT PROVIDED FINAL APPROVAL OF SETTLEMENT ON 12/29/07. NO MODELS LISTED. *PE

Bulletin SB-06-085 · Electrical System · May 2008

C0285, C1999, 2WD MODULE IN 4WD VEHICLE. *TT

Bulletin 1205 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2005

C0282, 285, 274 4WD MODULE IN 2WD VEHICLE. *TT

Bulletin 1205 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2005

WATER LEAKS INTO THE TRUNK FROM A BODY SEAM. *TT

Bulletin 03067 · Structure · Feb 2005

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE C0265. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT

Bulletin 01012004 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2004

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

Bulletin 11012003 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2003

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.

2002 Honda Passport trims & engines on record

Trims
EX
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl

2002 Honda Passport vehicles on record

Other Honda Passport model years

2002 Honda Passport — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Honda Passport have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2002 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 2002 Honda Passport?

Across all 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, structure, power train.

What is the 2002 Honda Passport safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2002 Honda Passport crash-test ratings of frontal 3★, side 5★, rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2002 Honda Passport get?

The 2002 Honda Passport has U.S. EPA estimates of 16–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

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