How Many Miles & Years Do Honda Passport Last? (Actual Numbers)

Many years ago, the Honda Passport was merely a re-badged Isuzu SUV.

Fresh from a 17-year hiatus, the Passport came back for the 2019 model year and has wowed buyers and critics alike. With its comfortable cabin, increased cargo space, and standard safety features, the Honda Passport is a great SUV.

Make sure to also read our article about common issues with the Honda Passports.

But is it durable? Let’s find out!

Here is the short answer to how long the Honda Passport lasts:

Based on reports for the older Honda Passports, we expect the new model to be reliable. Give your new Honda Passport requisite maintenance and it will last up to 200,000 miles easily. This means you can keep your Honda Passport running for another 13 years after you buy it.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Honda Passport?

At the start of the article, we gave 200,000 miles as the estimated lifespan of the Honda Passport. But you may wonder, “isn’t it too early to judge the longevity of these models since they are new?”

From experience, we know a car is only as reliable as its manufacturer. Historically, Honda has always been synonymous with reliability. Browse any list of most reliable vehicles and you’ll surely find one Honda vehicle.

A car research firm, iSeeCars, ranks Honda as the brand with the second-highest number of cars over 200,000 miles. This proves you can get 200,000 miles out of any Honda car, including the Passport.

Getting 200,000 miles out of your Honda Passport depends on maintenance habits. We recommend performing routine maintenance on your Passport to keep it in top condition.

Some maintenance activities suggested by Honda Passport owners include:

• Coolant change
• Air filter & fuel filter replacement
• Transmission flushing
• Engine oil check and replacement, etc.

Please also read our article about driving the Honda Passport in snow and winter.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on a Honda Passport?

As the Honda Passports are still new, we haven’t found many rust-related complaints for them. Nonetheless, we recommend watching out for rust in the first ten years of owning this vehicle.

The exact time rust will appear on your Passport SUV is subject to variables including region and maintenance.

According to HowStuffWorks, living near the ocean drives up the chances of getting rust. Why? Humid ocean air contains high salt content, which can corrode your vehicle’s components.

However, you need not live near the ocean for your vehicle to rust. Say, you live in a region where people use salt to melt road ice; your vehicle will rust if it drives over such roads. Why?

The melted ice already contains salt particles that will accelerate corrosion on your vehicle.

One area that can rust on your Honda Passport is the frame. CarProblemZoo, an automotive complaints site, received complaints concerning rusted frames on the older Honda Passports.

Many of the complaints indicated that the frame rust was severe, and in cases, made the vehicle unsafe to drive.

The suspension is another area on the Honda Passport that’s prone to rust. Reportedly, the brackets on the rear suspension can rust, which could affect vehicle handling and lead to a crash.

Although this issue mostly affects the older-generation Passports, you’d do well to protect your suspension from rust.

How Long Do Honda Passport Last Compared to Similar Car Models?

From all indications, the Honda Passport will last long a time on the road. But how does its service life stack up against similar cars? We answer that question by comparing the Honda Passport to other models in the midsize SUV segment:

Honda Passport vs. Ford Edge

In theory, the Honda Passport and the Ford Edge will last you about the same time. Ford Edges can last 200,000 miles or more, which is what you’ll also get from a Honda Passport.

However, we’d pick the Ford Edge over the Honda Passport, given that it is older. As a model ages, its reliability increases because the automaker will have ironed out all the bugs.

We’re not saying the Honda Passport is problematic; but if you want a tried-and-tested vehicle, the Ford Edge is better.

Honda Passport vs. Hyundai Santa Fe

Based on our research, these two models have roughly the same lifespan. You can get 200,000 miles out of a Hyundai Santa Fe, same with the Honda Passport.

Despite this, the Hyundai Santa Fe may be more appealing, given its cheaper price tag. The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe costs $27,415—a full $5,695 lesser than the Honda Passport’s price.

Honda Passport vs. Nissan Murano

The Nissan Murano shares the same lifespan with the Honda Passport. We estimate you will get up to 200,000 miles from your Honda Passport.

And from reports of owners, a new Nissan Murano can get anywhere between 150,000 to 200,000 miles.

Honda Passport vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an American icon and has been around longer than the Honda Passport. It can last up to 300,000 miles with regular maintenance.

Note that the Jeep Grand Cherokee also boasts more off-road performance compared to the Honda Passport. If you’re an off-road enthusiast, the Grand Cherokee is a better investment.

Make sure to also read our article about how long Honda Pilots last.

How Reliable Is a Honda Passport?

In our estimation, the Honda Passport is a decently reliable model. Sure, it’s a new model, so it’s hard to know if it’ll retain a reputation for reliability.

But remember that older Passports were famed for being rugged and reliable.

The new Honda Passport may not be rugged like its predecessor, but it inherits the latter’s reliability.

The Honda Passport gets above-average reliability ratings from big players such as J.D. Power. The 2018 model got a 3.5/5 rating for reliability, while the 2019 model received a 3/5 reliability rating. 

The Best and Worst Years for Honda Passport

We recently looked into the best and worst years for Honda Passport – check that for an updated list.

The 2001 Honda Passport has the highest number of complex problems, making it the worst Honda Passport model year.

In fact, Car Complaints gives this model a “Really Awful” rating, which is the worst any model can receive.

The biggest issue with the 2001 Honda Passports is the susceptibility of their frames to rust.

According to reports, the frames can rot from the rust, putting drivers at risk of a crash. This problem often occurred at the 107,000-mile mark and cost about $1,000 to fix.

Other common issues on the 2001 Honda Passport include problems with the electrical system, engine, and suspension.

The newer 2019 and 2020 model years remain the best on record for the Honda Passport. They’ve had only few problems and seem to be more reliable than the older Passport models.

Moreover, they have a more stylish design, better fuel economy, and high-tech features.

What About Recalls For These Models?

If we include recalls for the older models, then the Honda Passports will have faced 17 recall actions. Below, we have listed the number of recalls for each of the 13 model years:

• 1994: 4 recalls
• 1995: 1 recall
• 1996: 3 recalls
• 1997: 0 recalls
• 1998: 6 recalls
• 1999: 3 recalls
• 2000: 1 recall
• 2001: 3 recalls
• 2002: 2 recalls
• 2019: 3 recalls
• 2020: 3 recalls

Honda Passport Model Year List

Here are model years for the Honda Passport:

Note: The Honda Passport stopped production in 2002 and only came back in 2019.

First Generation

• 1994 Honda Passport
• 1995 Honda Passport
• 1996 Honda Passport
• 1997 Honda Passport
• 1998 Honda Passport
• 1999 Honda Passport
• 2000 Honda Passport
• 2001 Honda Passport
• 2002 Honda Passport

Second Generation

• 2019 Honda Passport
• 2020 Honda Passport

Are Honda Passport Expensive to Maintain?

No, the Honda Passport is not expensive to maintain, at least compared to the average vehicle.

YourMechanic.com estimates you will spend an average of $640 on maintenance for a Honda Passport in a year.

Here are some common repairs on the Honda Passport and their prices:

• Power Steering Pump Replacement: $235 – $406
• Valve Cover Gasket Replacement: $123 – $646
• Water Pump Replacement: $312 – $693
• Car Radiator Replacement: $357 – $469
• Ignition Switch Replacement: $188 – $308

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

Honda brakes have a lifespan of 30,000 to 60,000 miles, but the longevity of your brakes will vary. If you use your brakes frequently, especially in stop-and-go driving, they will wear out quickly.

Also, if you’re the type that brakes hard while driving, your brake will have a short lifespan.

The key to prolonging the life of your brakes it to use them carefully and service them periodically. Brake service includes brake line flushing, pad/rotor inspection, and brake fluid replacement.

How Long Do the Tires Last?

How long your tires last is a function of how you use it and how often you use it. Aggressive driving coupled with high miles will ensure your tires have a limited lifespan.

Tire rotations will help extend the life of your tires, though. You may even get up to 50,000 miles out of them.

If you are looking to invest in high quality tires, check out our article about Yokohama Tires.

How Long Do the Transmissions Last?

The Honda Passport transmission should last between 130,000 to 180,000 miles before it requires replacement.

Routine maintenance, e.g., tranny flushes, filter changes, and so on will extend the life of your transmission.

How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?

Spark plugs on a new Honda Passport can last up to 100,000 miles.

What About Insurance Cost?

According to Finder.com, the average monthly insurance expenses for the Passport is $145. Annually, you will pay $1,743 to insure the Honda Passport, which is about 5.4 percent higher than the national average.

Tips To Prolong The Life Of Your Honda Passport

Here are ways to improve the longevity of your Honda Passport:

1. Avoid misusing your vehicle: You shouldn’t be towing heavy loads with your Honda Passport or racing it. If you want to do either of those things, get a Honda sports car or truck.
2. Ensure your vehicle doesn’t become a rust bucket by rustproofing it properly.
3. Use only high-quality spare parts when servicing your vehicle. Inferior parts will affect your vehicle’s operation and reduce its lifespan.

Resources

https://www.cars.com/research/honda-passport/

https://repairpal.com/honda/passport.amp

https://m.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Passport/

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