2000 Honda Passport SUV: Specs, Reliability, and What Buyers Should Know

The 2000 Honda Passport occupies an interesting corner of automotive history — a mid-size SUV sold under the Honda name but built largely by Isuzu. If you're researching one as a used buy or trying to understand what you already own, the Passport's hybrid identity shapes nearly everything about how it drives, how it ages, and what it costs to keep running.

What Was the 2000 Honda Passport?

The Honda Passport was sold in the United States from 1994 through 2002. The 2000 model year is a second-generation Passport, which ran from 1998 to 2002. Honda didn't engineer this vehicle independently — it was a badge-engineered version of the Isuzu Rodeo, built at Isuzu's Lafayette, Indiana assembly plant and sold through Honda dealerships.

This matters for buyers because parts, repair history, and mechanical knowledge for the Passport are closely shared with the Isuzu Rodeo. Mechanics familiar with one are generally familiar with the other.

Engine and Drivetrain

The 2000 Passport came with one engine option:

The part-time 4WD system uses a traditional transfer case with high and low range — it's not all-wheel drive and is not designed for use on dry pavement in 4WD mode. That's an important distinction for buyers coming from modern crossovers with full-time AWD.

Fuel economy figures from the era were rated around 15 city / 19 highway mpg for the 4WD automatic, though real-world results varied. These are not vehicles known for efficiency.

Trim Levels

The 2000 Passport came in two trims:

• LX — Base model with cloth interior, standard features
• EX — Added leather seating, power features, and additional convenience equipment

The EX trim is more common in the used market. Trim level affects what's present — and potentially what's failed — on any specific example.

Common Reliability Considerations 🔧

Because this vehicle is now 25 years old, the conversation around reliability shifts from original build quality to condition and maintenance history. A few areas have historically drawn attention:

Timing belt — The 3.2L V6 uses a timing belt, not a chain. Timing belt replacement is a critical maintenance item with a recommended interval typically around 60,000–75,000 miles. On a vehicle this age, verifying belt replacement history matters. A snapped timing belt can cause serious engine damage.

Automatic transmission — These transmissions have a documented history of issues, particularly if fluid changes weren't performed regularly. Check the transmission service record before buying.

Rust — A 25-year-old vehicle's rust situation depends heavily on where it spent its life. Units from rust-belt states or coastal areas may have significant underbody deterioration.

Oil consumption — Some owners have reported oil consumption issues with the 3.2L. Checking oil levels regularly is practical with any older engine.

Cooling system — Hoses, the radiator, and the water pump wear over time. On a vehicle this age, these components may have been replaced once already — or may be overdue.

None of these are guaranteed failures on any specific vehicle, but they're the areas a pre-purchase inspection should focus on.

Parts Availability

Because the Passport shares its platform with the Isuzu Rodeo, parts availability is broader than you might expect for a discontinued Honda nameplate. Many mechanical components — engine parts, suspension, drivetrain — cross-reference with Rodeo parts, which remain reasonably available through aftermarket suppliers. Body parts and interior trim can be harder to source.

What to Check Before Buying 🔍

If you're evaluating a 2000 Passport in the used market:

• Pull the VIN through NHTSA's database to check for open recalls. Some Passports from this era had recall activity related to various systems — recall status should be verified for any specific vehicle.
• Get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic experienced with trucks and body-on-frame SUVs, not just crossovers.
• Ask for service records — specifically timing belt replacement, transmission service, and coolant flushes.
• Check for rust underneath, particularly around the frame, floor pans, and spare tire carrier.
• Test the 4WD engagement in both 4-High and 4-Low to confirm the transfer case and front axle engagement work properly.

How It Compares to Similar Vehicles of the Era

The Passport's Isuzu underpinnings make it a capable off-roader for its era, but it doesn't carry the same long-term reliability reputation as some Japanese competitors from the same period.

Ownership Cost Variables

What a 2000 Passport costs to own depends on factors no article can pin down universally:

• State and region affect registration fees, emissions testing requirements, and insurance rates
• Mileage and condition of the specific vehicle drive repair needs
• Whether you DIY or use a shop changes labor costs significantly
• Parts sourcing — dealer, aftermarket, or salvage yard — changes parts costs
• Local mechanic rates vary considerably across the country

A well-maintained example with documented history tells a very different financial story than one with unknown service records and deferred maintenance.

The 2000 Honda Passport is a simple, body-on-frame SUV by modern standards — but simplicity at 25 years old still means age. What condition that age left it in depends entirely on the specific vehicle, where it lived, and how it was treated.