1998 Honda Passport SUV: What Buyers and Owners Should Know

The 1998 Honda Passport occupies an interesting corner of late-1990s SUV history. It wasn't built by Honda in the traditional sense — it was a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo, assembled under a joint manufacturing agreement. That single fact shapes nearly everything about how you research, buy, maintain, or find parts for one. Understanding the vehicle's origins is the starting point for making sense of it.

What the 1998 Honda Passport Actually Is

Honda and Isuzu had a longstanding partnership during this era. The Passport shared its platform, drivetrain, and body with the Isuzu Rodeo, with minor cosmetic differences — primarily the front fascia and badging. This means that when you're looking up parts, repair history, or technical service bulletins, searching under "Isuzu Rodeo" will often surface more information than searching under "Passport" alone.

The 1998 model year was part of the second-generation Passport (1994–2002). By this point, the vehicle had settled into a reasonably mature design with known strengths and known problem areas.

Engine and Drivetrain Specs

The 1998 Passport came with one powertrain option in the U.S. market:

The part-time 4WD system uses a traditional transfer case with 2H, 4H, and 4L modes. This is not an all-wheel-drive system — it's designed for off-road or low-traction use, not everyday pavement driving in 4WD. Operating it in 4H on dry pavement can cause drivetrain binding and damage.

Common Issues to Know Before Buying

Because this vehicle is now 25+ years old, condition varies enormously depending on usage, maintenance history, and climate. A few known areas to inspect closely:

Timing belt: The 3.2L V6 uses a timing belt, not a chain. Replacement is typically recommended around every 60,000–90,000 miles (intervals vary by shop and driving conditions). On a vehicle this age, if the service history is unknown, this is one of the first questions to ask. Timing belt failure on an interference engine can cause severe internal damage.

Transfer case and front differential: 4WD components on older trucks wear based on use. Engage 4WD before buying and listen for grinding, hesitation, or difficulty shifting.

Rust: Body-on-frame construction means frame rust is a legitimate concern, especially in northern states or coastal regions where road salt or salt air accelerates corrosion.

Fuel injectors and emissions equipment: At this age, injectors, oxygen sensors, and EGR components may need attention. Check for active OBD-II codes with a scanner before purchase.

Power windows and electrical: Late-1990s SUVs commonly develop issues with window regulators, switch contacts, and interior electronics over time.

Trim Levels and Features

The 1998 Passport was sold in two main trims:

Feature content varied by package and dealer options at the time of original sale, so two 1998 Passports can differ meaningfully in what's equipped.

Parts Availability and the Isuzu Rodeo Connection 🔧

Because the Passport shares nearly all mechanical components with the Isuzu Rodeo, the parts ecosystem is broader than the Honda badge might suggest. Many parts — engine components, suspension, transfer case parts, body panels — can be sourced from either Passport or Rodeo listings, which increases availability and sometimes reduces cost.

Honda dealerships may have limited or no OEM parts availability for a vehicle this age. Independent parts suppliers and salvage yards are typically more practical sources at this point.

Fuel Economy

EPA estimates for the 1998 Passport were approximately 15–17 MPG city and 18–21 MPG highway, varying by drivetrain and transmission. Real-world numbers on a well-worn example may differ. These figures are typical for a V6 body-on-frame SUV from this era.

What Shapes the Value and Ownership Experience

The Passport's value and livability today depend heavily on several variables:

• Mileage and maintenance records — documented timing belt service, fluid changes, and drivetrain maintenance matter far more than mileage alone on a vehicle this age
• Geographic history — a Southern or dry-climate vehicle with documented rust-free frame is worth meaningfully more than a salt-belt equivalent
• Drivetrain configuration — 4WD examples often command more interest, but also carry more mechanical complexity to inspect
• Transmission type — the 5-speed manual eliminates automatic transmission wear as a concern but limits the buyer pool
• Current condition of rubber and hoses — at 25+ years, belts, hoses, seals, and bushings are often past or near end of service life regardless of mileage

What This Vehicle Is — and Isn't

The 1998 Passport is a body-on-frame, V6 mid-size SUV built on truck architecture. It has legitimate off-road capability (in 4WD configurations), reasonable towing capacity for its class, and a simple enough mechanical layout that it can be maintained without exotic specialty tools or dealer equipment.

It is not a refined, car-like crossover. Ride quality, interior noise, and fuel economy reflect its era and truck-based platform. Comparing it to a modern SUV sets an unrealistic baseline. 🚙

What you're buying at this point is a used vehicle whose condition is entirely a product of how it was driven and maintained over the past 25 years. Two 1998 Passports with the same mileage can be in dramatically different shape — which is why hands-on inspection and, for anyone seriously considering a purchase, a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with Isuzu-platform trucks matters far more than any general description of the model.

The specs, history, and known issues are fixed. How they apply to any specific example depends entirely on that vehicle's individual story.