The 2001 draws 5.32 complaints per run and the 2020 2.19, a 2.4-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 3 years of age, so 59% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Electrical System, with 224 complaints, typically at 2.8 years.
Honda Passport years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 51 | 16 | too new | |
| 2025 | 41 | 24 | too new | |
| 2024 | 19 | 12 | too new | |
| 2023 | 38 | 24 | too new | |
| 2022 | 63 | 36 | too new | |
| 2021 | 143 | 58 | too new | |
| 2020 | 103 | 47 | yes | |
| 2019 | 278 | 75 | yes | |
| 2002 | 15 | 12 | yes | |
| 2001 | 117 | 22 | yes | |
| 2000 | 74 | 22 | yes | |
| 1999 | 176 | 32 | yes | |
| 1998 | 192 | 38 | yes | |
| 1997 | 47 | 21 | yes | |
| 1996 | 29 | 20 | yes | |
| 1995 | 48 | 29 | yes | |
| 1994 | 28 | 18 | yes |
Among the 4 Honda Passport years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2001, 2019, 2000; the three worth hunting are 2020, 2000, 2019.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 16.5% | covered | |
| 1 year | 31.8% | covered | |
| 2 years | 41% | covered | |
| 3 years | 52.2% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 62.4% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 71.9% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 77.7% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 80.8% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 82.6% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 85.8% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 90.2% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 93.1% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 95.1% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 97% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 98.6% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 41% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 59% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 20% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Honda Passport, the early trouble is Electrical System and Service Brakes — reported at around 2.8 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Structure at 9.6 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2.8 yrs | 4 | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 2.4 yrs | 34 | — | |
| Structure | 9.6 yrs | 7 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3.3 yrs | 8 | — | |
| Suspension | 8.1 yrs | 2 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 2.8 yrs | 5 | — | |
| Engine | 3.5 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | 3.2 yrs | 3 | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Passport's vehicle class. Per production run, the Toyota 4-Runner draws 1.71, the Ford Bronco 2.43 and the Jeep Cherokee 4.26, against 2.92 for the Passport.
| Same class as the Passport | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota 4-Runner | 171 | 1984–2026 | |
| Ford Bronco | 148 | 1981–2026 | |
| Jeep Cherokee | 222 | 1981–2026 | |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 149 | 1986–2026 | |
| Jeep Wagoneer | 66 | 1981–2025 | |
| Chevrolet Blazer | 128 | 1981–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Honda Passport reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 2.92 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which Passport years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2001, 2019, 2000. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2020, 2000, 2019. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Passport problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 3 years of age. The most reported system is Electrical System, typically at 2.8 years, followed by Service Brakes.
Will the warranty cover Passport problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 41% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 20% of the complaints here.
Is the Passport more reliable than the Toyota 4-Runner?
No: 2.92 complaints per production run for the Passport against 1.71 for the Toyota 4-Runner.
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