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1994 Honda Passport Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1994 Honda Passport has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Camshaft seal end plug dislodged, engine oil leak.” Honda vehicles use the Maintenance Minder system — your dashboard displays a Code A (oil change) or Code B (oil change plus inspections) along with sub-codes 1-6 for additional services. Intervals adjust based on how you drive. The schedule below reflects Honda's underlying targets.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1994 Honda Passport.

Reported to NHTSA

Camshaft seal end plug dislodged, engine oil leak

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

8 NHTSA complaints · 1994-11 → 2005-01

“ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSED THE CAMSHAFT SEAL END PLUG TO BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD, ALLOWING AN OIL LEAKAGE FROM THE CAMSHAFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #845597
“EXPANSION AND CONTRADICTION OF ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD, CASING CAMSHAFT SEAL END PLUG TO DISLODGE, RESULTING IN ENGINE OIL LEAK PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO MAKE/MODEL AND SYMPTOMS OF FAILURE. (94V-132)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #533345
“CONSUMER SAW OIL ON THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10107013

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake rotors worn or out of round, repeated replacement

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

3 NHTSA complaints · 1997-04 → 1998-06

“VEHICLE HAS ABS BRAKES. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND MUST BE REPLACED EVERY 6 MONTHS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #824760
“BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED FIVE TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #516439

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS and brakes not working properly when stopping

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

4 NHTSA complaints · 1995-01 → 1996-03

“WHILE STOPPING AT A STOPIN FRONT OF A HOUSE TH ABS SYSTEM DID NOT WORK, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #980196
“WHILE DRIVING IN MILDLY WET CONDITIONS VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT SPEEDS NOT EXCEEDING 20MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #958912

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine acceleration without pedal input

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 NHTSA complaints · 1999-08 → 2002-11

“WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WITH OUT PRESSING ACCELERATOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8023382
“WHEN I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE THE ENGINE SPED UP AND SURGED FORWARD. SINCE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE DIDN'T MOVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #710148

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door lock and tailgate glass latch malfunction

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

3 NHTSA complaints · 1997-04 → 1999-02

“REAR TAILGATE LOCKING MECHANISM THAT HOLDS GLASS PANEL CONTINUOUSLY MALFUNCTIONED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #812060
“REAR LOCK FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN WARRANTY PERIOD. LOCKS CYCLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #703657

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt did not restrain occupant in crash

SEAT BELTS

5 NHTSA complaints · 1996-12 → 2001-11

“INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AND CAUSED FURTHER INJURY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #806624
“OWNER STATES THAT SHE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE PASSEGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT DID NOT HOLD, HER DAUGTER RECEIVED MINOR HEAD INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #806979
“CONSUMER STATES HIT SOME BLACK ICE AND RESTRAINTS DID NOT HOLD HER, CAUSING HER TO END UP IN THE REAR OF THE CAR ON THE FLOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #807946

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering wheel locked up, loss of control

STEERING

2 NHTSA complaints · 1995-01 → 1995-01

“CAR BEGAN BOUNCING EXCESSIVELY, STEERING LOCKED UP, LOST CONTROL OF STEERING, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #480709
“STEERING; CAR WAS IN ACCIDENT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, LOST CONTROL AND HIT A TREE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #958678

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Code A)

Every 7,500 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter. The Maintenance Minder triggers Code A between 7,500 and 10,000 miles depending on driving conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires front-to-back to even out wear. Honda triggers Sub-code 1 alongside every other oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection (Code B)

Every 15,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake. Code B includes a multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and fluids.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid (Sub-code 5)

Every 45,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture absorption and corrosion of ABS components.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission / CVT Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF or CVT fluid. Honda CVT models (Civic, HR-V, Accord LX) use Honda HCF-2 — do not substitute. The Maintenance Minder triggers earlier under heavy stop-and-go.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid (AWD models, Sub-code 5)

Every 30,000 mi

AWD CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline: replace rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles, sooner if towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 4)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Honda uses a long-life cellulose element on most port-injected engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Honda uses iridium-tipped plugs rated for 100,000+ miles. Replace at 105,000 miles or whenever Sub-code 6 displays.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant (Sub-code 5)

Every 60,000 mi

Honda Long-Life Type 2 (blue) coolant: first change at 120,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles. Do not mix with other coolant types.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 3)

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter — accessible behind the glove box on most Hondas. Honda recommends 15,000 miles in dusty conditions, longer in clean climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Valve Clearance Adjustment (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Inspect and adjust valve clearances at 105,000 miles. Critical on K-series and L-series engines to prevent valve recession.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$495–$535

Shop

~$345–$375

DIY

Pro only

Mechanical-bucket valvetrains (many Honda 4-cyls, older Toyotas) need this. Hydraulic lifters don't. Shop work — feeler-gauge precision required.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Modern Honda engines (K-series, L-series, R-series, plus all Earth Dreams 1.5T and 2.0T) use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

72 crashes 1990–2024

How the 72 occupant deaths break down

47

driver deaths

25

passenger deaths

72

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1994 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

11

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1994 Honda Passport reflects Honda's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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