The Lemon Index
2001
20192nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 3,525 in the U.S. in 2002 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 11 complaints in its first 3 years.
11 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1342002 Hyundai Santa Fe2002 Chevrolet Blazer 153
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2002 Honda Passport
- Rust / frame corrosion8 complaintsmostly at 103,000–154,000 miles (166,000–248,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Honda Passport (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V436000 (suspension) and 05V466000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Honda sent dealers 33 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “On some vehicles, the automatic transmission fluid leaks from the right side of the…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Honda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 11 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
In owners' words
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the vehicle will stall and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. Dealer notified. Ts
2002 Honda Passport owner · NHTSA complaint 8023669
More owner reports
Transmission went dead without warning, had bad seal. Ph
NHTSA complaint 10005888
While driving engine warning light illuminated. Consumer pulled over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership informed the consumer that the problem pertained to engine sludge.
NHTSA complaint 10099859
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 33 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On some vehicles, the automatic transmission fluid leaks from the right side of the…
- Automatic transmission fluid (atf) leaks from the accumulator cover
- Engine spark knock (pinging)
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Suspension · recall issued 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 REGISTER…
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel tank retention failure2018–2020
- ClosedRear suspension lower link detachment2009–2010
- ClosedRear suspension lower link failure2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.2L 6-cyl.
Every Honda Passport year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/honda-passport/?y=2002" title="Honda Passport reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/honda-passport/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Honda Passport reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Honda Passport reliable?
We can't score it: only 3,525 were sold in the U.S. in 2002 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2002 Honda Passport problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (27%), transmission & drivetrain (18%) and brakes (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Honda Passport have?
2 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Honda Passport get?
16 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2002 Honda Passport have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Honda Passport cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Honda Passport have?
3.2L 6-cyl.
What Honda Passport year is better than the 2002?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2022 drew the fewest (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works