18th Dec 2009, 12:39

I have a 2001 Honda Passport with 83,000 miles. I bought it 2 years ago when it had 52,000 miles. Since the end of the 1st year, these are the problems I have been having:

1. Rear pinion seal leaking on brakes - was very costly to fix.

2. Front wipers began to work intermittently. Since we were in our rainy season and I travel the highway, I had to fix it. It took 2 repair shops, both expecting the same solution even after being on the diagnostic machine. Both tried the same things with no luck. With further research it turned out to be a computer problem and the whole mother board had to be replaced, not just the bad part. Honda didn't sell the board, but Isuzu did. Cost with labor was $605.

3. Just this week discovered the oil doesn't register on the dipstick even though I had the oil and filter changed last week. The reviews on this site have been helpful.

I now believe it is time to get rid of this SUV before something else goes wrong.

22nd Dec 2009, 02:47

1998 Honda Passport 3.5 MT purchased new from Honda dealership. It says Honda so it is a Honda. Check engine light came on 2 weeks after I bought it, and has pretty much been on ever since! Intake manifold gasket replacement seem to be an annual event. For what I've put into repairs, I could be driving a BMW. I will never buy another Honda for as long as I live!

5th Jan 2010, 08:43

Hey folks,

For anyone still driving a 2001 Honda Passport, I want to give you all a heads up. I have been driving mine with some of the same problems posted. (I now have @147 thousand miles on it.) Such as the poor gas gauge, the oil always reading low and using more than it should for no reason. These were problems I learned to deal with, and hoped to continue driving until my daughters graduated from college.

Just last week though, my daughter noticed that it was pulling some to the right, and I thought I should have the tires lined up. On the way to the shop, the steering went crazy! I quickly turned around and headed home, afraid to drive on. I drove it into the driveway and heard a huge scraping sound! My brother checked and found that the frame had rusted right above the left rear wheel. It had actually broken into, and this was causing the steering problems.

I am so thankful that I was not flying down the interstate at 75 + miles an hour when it decided to break!!

Just look under the the car and check for rust! I am now carless with a vehicle that will probably get me if I am lucky @400.00 at a junk dealer.

As far as the engine itself, I have had zero problems and have loved the vehicle; I hate to give it up...

15th Jan 2010, 16:30

I have the 2001 Honda Passport.. I love the look & style of the Jeep.

I have had my Jeep for only 2 months now, and am experiencing problems with the lights flickering while driving, as if it's about to lose power. It cuts off completely while driving! I've added oil, but the ride is still rough & idles low. I thought it was my imagination, but I too lost control of the steering while driving (as if a ghost had taken over the steering) It was a very frightening experience!!!

The mechanic tells me a gasket has been blown, but there wasn't any white smoke coming from the tail pipes as others have described.

My Honda passed inspection and was running pretty well with no problems until last week.

I will pray that a host of other problems will not follow, & that I will be able to enjoy having my Honda Passport. (fingers crossed)

5th Mar 2010, 08:15

I have 2001 4WD Honda Passport with 117K on it and it is still going strong after 6 years of ownership. The only problem to date is the intermittent wiper cycle where the wipers would simply stop. Turns out that it was $5 chip from Mouser Electronics. Easy to replace-do a search on Google and you'll find detailed instructions. Other than that, no leaks, no problems and best of all, it's paid for!

24th Apr 2010, 07:29

I have/had a 2001 Honda Passport and owned it for over 7 yrs. I really loved the leather interior and sun/moon roof and flawless body.

It has 117,000 miles on it now. I have driven it without problems until last summer. The check engine light stays on. Honda can't fix it. They just keep charging $106 to look at it! They told me to replace the fuel gauge, which tells me I'm always on empty even when I fill up, is going to be $800!

It burned, but never leaked oil, so I've been using synthetic for the last 2 yrs. I'm also leaking fluid from the accumulator plug, which costs $200 to replace.

The sunroof doesn't open or close all the way. As of Christmas, I have been without a vehicle because the engine started knocking! WOW! Needless to say, in WI it wasn't a warm & fuzzy Christmas for my 2 teens. I'm a single mom and this WAS my reliable vehicle. NOT. Anyone have an engine for sale? LOL.

But seriously, if you do please, respond ASAP as we can't go anywhere as a family on my Harley... Or if you would be willing to trade a low mile PILOT for an 02 Harley 1200 Custom with only 8k miles... Thanks... domopking at yhoo dot com.

PS My Golden Retriever really loves riding in the back seat!

17th May 2010, 15:46

I have a 2001 Honda Passport EX bought brand new. It has roughly 96K miles on it and I keep having 2 recurring issues. It has to do with starting.

One, when started on a cold start it might 'putter' a little and then die, but when you start it again it runs smooth.

Two, if I take it out of town, say 1hr or more, then run into the store or whatever for 15-20 minutes, it won't start again. The motor cranks but it never starts. I let it sit a couple hours and it starts and runs smooth again! This is more of a problem with it's above around 45 degrees outside. It doesn't happen as often when it's mid winter, but constantly when it warms up.

Honda dealer told me it was a 'design defect' in the fuse box overheating and the start fuse getting too hot. I personally think it B-S or every car would have that issue. Still have not found any solution to these issues. Overall, it runs like any 9 year old car with close to 100k miles... but the starting issue is VERY inconvenient! Any help?