Frame Rust problems of the 2001 Honda Passport

Frame rusted out and fuel tank mounting bracket rusted through.

My husband and I bought this vehicle a few days ago. Today he took it in to get a tune up and oil change. When the mechanic had the car lifted he recognized a significant amount of cracks/rust frame. The plastic gas tank is about to fall out of the metal casing that surrounds it, it is almost completely ate away. There is also a frame crack due to rust on the passenger rear frame behind the rear tire. The mechanic advised that we not continue to drive this car until the issue has been resolved due to our safety. . Read more...

My 2001 Honda Passport went in for inspection for recall for the lower link trailing brackets. The brackets were installed over the rusted frame on 03/16/11. It was stated in emails to the corporate office that even if the stage 3 repairs were completed as instructed the vehicle would be unsafe to drive due to the deep corrosion in other portions as well. Honda told jeffrey Honda to still perform the stage 3 repair as the other corrosion areas do not apply to this current campaign. It is jeffrey Honda's professional opinion that the vehicle remains unsafe to drive due to heavy and deep corrosion to rear trailing arms, rear frame hanging not bolted together. Fuel tank housing rusted and half way portions as well. Honda corporate office refuses to offer a buy back offer for this vehicle. They have bought back other vehicles that were not as bad as mine and tell me that they are sorry but they will do nothing else for me. My vehicle is not safe to drive and still has a 2 year loan on it with full coverage insurance. It is not my fault that Honda used defective steel when making these frames for these vehicles. Case manager simon says the buy back offers are on a case-by-case basis. In our many conversations he can not tell me why my vehicle does not meet the criteria. It is rusted underneath from one end to the other. The trailing brackets installed are like a band aid for a broken leg. I feel discriminated against as others get buy back offers and all I get is sorry. I had to have the vehicle towed home because of safety issues. It can never be driven again with only 80,000 miles and a perfect body because the whole frame is rotted. I feel that the recall should be reopened to include the frame. Many people are still driving these vehicles with the rotted frames as it is their only transportation. They are risking their life and the lives of others on the road by continuing to drive these vehicles. All states should of received a inspection notice for these vehicles.

First the Honda dealership told headquarters that my 2001 Passports frame was in such poor condition and unsafe that the recall repair would not fix the problem. So headquarters requested more pictures of the frame damage for their technical department. Today simon from headquarters called and said they were going to go ahead with the recall repair even though this car will still be unsafe to drive. He told me that the rusted frame was worse in the front than in the rear where they would install the new brackets. The rear of the car was already separating from the back of the frame. So they are fixing a car that will never be safe because they used defective materials on all their frames for vehicles under rodeo and Passport from 1998-2002. This was reported many times over the years of this rust problem and then the recall fix is issued September 2010. What does it take to get some help with these big corporations when they expect us to drive their unsafe cars and sign waivers on the rusted frame pictures. I am not driving that Passport anywhere as human lives are at stake, including mine. How is it that some receive a pay off for their car and I get stuck paying a loan for 2 1/2 more years for a car I can't drive. Where is the justice here? I think this is the most horrific thing a car company can do to hundreds of thousands people who were loyal to that company. How many lives or accidents is it going to take before we get help. Someone in power needs to help us get this resolved with Honda and include the frame in the recall process as they are basically in the same condition. We are supposed to sit back and take this and do nothing about this severe injustice. If someone even reads these complaints would be a miracle as it took many years to even get a bracket recall from Honda. Please help us who have only this car as our only transportation. I can't even look for work as I have no car but I have a car payment to make and insurance.

The contact owns a 2001 Honda Passport. The contact had the vehicle repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 10v436000 (suspension: rear) which was suppose to repair the lower link brackets on the vehicle because of rust. The contact then took the vehicle for state inspection and was informed that the vehicle did not pass due to severe frame rust and fractures. The contact was advised that the vehicle was unsafe to drive because it did not pass the frame test check. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 86,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Honda Passport. The contact stated that the entire frame was rusted. The dealer stated that even if they repaired the vehicle according to NHTSA campaign id number: 10v436000 (suspension:rear), the vehicle would still not be safe to drive. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 80,000 and the failure mileage was approximately 79,000. Updated 06/02/11.

2001 Honda Passport is under recall due to the suspension bracket rusting off the frame of the vehicle. Most vehicles are being deemed unrepairable due to the condition of the frame. Honda has been doing buybacks quietly on vehicles, some for decent offers and some for ridiculously low offers. Honda needs to recall all 1998-2002 Passports in snow states with the condition of the frame. Frames are so rusty that there are holes in them, questioning the stability of the vehicle entirely. The vehicle are unsafe to be on the road and Honda is aware of the problem but is doing little to take care of the problem.

I was driving my 2001 Honda Passport and as I turned a corner, it felt as if the rear was fish tailing but it wasn't very noticeable. I drove home and later left to bring my daughter to driver's ed and as I pulled out of my driveway, I felt as if I lost control of the vehicle, like I was driving on ice. I had the vehicle towed on a flat bed and repaired, though my mechanic stated that the repair wasn't going to hold for all that long due to the horrible rust issues on the frame. I had the driver's side "patched" a few years ago when I went to have the vehicle inspected, it didn't pass due to the frame. This is a very serious issue! I'd prefer for all of these vehicles be removed from the roadway and for the dealers to properly reimburse their customers. My vehicle has lost a lot of value because of the patches made to the frame. I'm afraid I've lost a lot of money.

2001 Honda Passport 4 dr 4wd exl VIN#[xxx] original owner - purchased from danbury fair Honda, danbury, CT on 1/10/2001 meticulously maintained - all service records interior and exterior(excl frame) excellent condition current mileage +/- 100,000 description of incident: while driving my Honda Passport on sept. 11, 2010 I was turning onto a side st when without warning I heard a noise come from what sounded like the left rear of the vehicle. The vehicle began to "float" or sway out of my ctrl. With the assistance of my fiance I was able to bring the vehicle to rest on the shoulder of the rd. The frame was so severely rusted out that it couldn't be towed in the traditional manner and was removed on a flatbed. This is a critical and severe defect that in other circumstances could have been disastrous and fatal. I was told by 3 highly regarded mechanics that if it had it happened the day before when we were traveling on the interstate we would probably not have lived to file a complaint. Additionally, the defect would likely have cause a rollover of the vehicle which could have easily caused other accidents and/or fatalities. This defect is a silent killer waiting to happen. All these cars appear to be in mint condition. A reasonable person would expect some cosmetic sign in the exterior of the car to reflect such a significant degree of deterioration if it was "normal or expected" wear and tear. It was not normal and there are no warning signs of the impending danger. I take excellent car of my vehicles and have always garaged them. I am shocked and concerned that this is and has been an ongoing issue yet still no one is being warned of the potential danger or advised to have the frame inspected. I urge you to consider our complaints and issue a recall. The lucky ones have a useless Passport or rodeo with a frame rusted beyond recognition and no resale value. The others may not be so lucky. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

2001 Honda Passport - rusted frame. I detected enormous amounts of rust to the frame of my vehicle when I was going to install a reese trailer hitch. Several holes were present in the frame, completely rusted through. More holes can easily be pushed through with my finger. This seems to me to be a potentially dangerous condition that could cause catastrophic failure of the frame and subsequently loss of control of the vehicle. Incidentally, I could not install the hitch due to the amount of rust in the frame.

We drive a 2001 Honda Passport. As I was coming home with my two small children, my car starting to wander to one side, fortunately I was less than a half mile from home. I then heard a terrible sound like scraping. My husband looked under the car and rear driver side frame is completely rusted and falling apart. The passenger side is in the same condition. We saw a news report and it described what happened to us. I am appalled that our lives were in danger had I been going on a highway.

Took Honda Passport 2001 for inspection and frame is completely rusted. It is becoming a safety hazard for my family. Getting rid of vehicle.

The frame is completely rusted out and un drivable.

The contact owns a 2001 Honda Passport. While pulling out of his driveway at speeds of 5 mph, the contact applied the brakes and the front axle began rubbing against the wheel well. The contact exited the vehicle and upon further inspection, found that the entire frame had rusted and began corroding. The manufacturer was contacted but would not provide any assistance due to the vehicles age. The vehicle was not repaired and the VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 95,000.

I was driving this morning when the left rear tension bar snapped away from the frame of my 2001 Honda Passport. After having it towed to a garage and inspected by a trusted friend, he has just informed me that the vehicle is no longer in drivable condition, as the entire frame is rusted through.

The frame on my 2001 Honda Passport has rusted beyond repair. It has become unsafe to drive because of the rotting/rusting frame.

I own a 2001 Honda Passport . I just learned from a mechanic and also confirmed with the service manager of my local Honda dealership ( century motors Honda, cincinnati, ohio) that there is severe corrosion on the frame on driver's side of the frame and other areas are showing signs but are not corroded through yet. I was told by them that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and could result in a serious accident. The service manager took a picture and sent it to Honda corporate and they refuse any responsibility. I have always lived in ohio so it could not have been affected by salt water ect. . . I also did not learn until now that my Passport was made by isuzu and not Honda. I purchased it new from a Honda dealer. I was told that repair on the frame is not advisable, due to safety issues and the fact there are other areas on the frame that may rust completely in the near future. I hope you can help me with this issue. Thank you, gail wood.

Filed original complaint (odi number 10342822) )07/13/10. Since then I returned the car to the garage due to brake problems and was told that my 2001 Honda Passport frame is so rotted out that it should not have passed the last inspection and will definitely not pass further inspections and should be gotten rid of as soon as possible. The rusted frame is not repairable. I already spent a large amount of money to have a piece of the frame welded so the car could be used until another alternative could be found. I cannot sell or trade this car in, so it will need to be junked. Neither Honda or isuzu wants to hear anything about it.

The contact owns a 2001 Honda Passport. The vehicle was going through state inspection when the contact was advised that the frame was rusting. One year later, the vehicle would not pass state inspection because the frame was severely corroded. The dealer advised that the vehicle was not under recall and repairs would be at the contacts expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 92,339 and the current mileage was 102,842.

2001 Honda Passport. Rear trailing linkage rusted away from frame. Recieved recall a year later from Honda. Truck is now at a welder getting the rear frame rails patched due to rusting. Its not only the frame rails that are rusting away. Mileage on vehicle is 125000. I have noticed the entire frame from front to back rusting. This is a serious issue. Can and will cause an accident or death. My experience was with the rear trailing linkage. Was doing 45 mph down a highway, hit a bump, linkage broke away from the frame. . I fished taileded in traffic, luckily not hitting anyone or hurting myself. This vehicle needs to be taken off the road. And customers reimbursed and compensated.

My Honda Passport began to swerve uncontrollably at 25 mph. I stopped at service station and had a mechanic inspect the car. He found the frame had rusted through causing the rear stabilizer to break free. In that condition the left side of the rear axle is not connected to the frame and vehicle control is compromised.

The contact owns a 2001 Honda Passport. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle began to sway from side to side. The contact moved the vehicle off the roadway and found that the there were two stabilizer bars hanging from the vehicle and there was severe frame rust. The dealer was notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and they would not provide any assistance. The manufacturer also was not willing to provide any assistance and advised taking the vehicle to the dealer. The contact attempted to have the vehicle towed the dealer however, the tow truck driver was hesitant to tow the vehicle due to the condition of the vehicles frame. The vehicle was not driven and was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 120,000.