Honda Passport VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Honda Passport you are looking at. Then check its model year against 29 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefix5FN4S6

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Honda Passport

About the Honda Passport

Honda has sold the Passport in the US since the 1994 model year, and there have been four generations. Gen 1 first (1994–1997), then Gen 2 (1998–2002). The Gen 3 arrived for 2019–2025, and the Gen 4 took over for 2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 29 vehicle recall campaigns and 1,652 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 2. Its 1998 and 1999 model years alone account for 457 of them, with owners bringing up structure and body most often and the brakes after that. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 15–18 mpg combined, while the Gen 4 gets 20–21 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1994–2026

GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2 · Gen 3 · Gen 4

NHTSA recall campaigns29

Owner complaints1,652 at NHTSA

Honda Passport photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Honda Passport generations

Four generations since the 1994 model year. The Gen 2 (1998–2002) has the most owner complaints, the Gen 3 (2019–2025) the most recall campaigns (16).

4 / 4

Gen 4

20264th generation

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1994200020052010201520202025

2026· Generation 4 of 4

Gen 4 · 4th generation

PlatformGlobal Light Truck

EPA combined mpg20–21

NHTSA recalls1

Engines (EPA)

3.5 L 6-cyl · 2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD
automatic (2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (12)Forward collision avoidance (11)Seats (9)

Mentions in 63 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 45FNYF9H8?TB······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite/ TrailSport Touring/TrailSport Touring Blackout, built in Lincoln, Alabama

Check a Passport VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Passport model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 29 campaigns on file for Passport model years 1994–2026, and the 2019 and 2020 show up in the most (10 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Honda Passport owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2019 and 1998 hold 507 of the 1,652 complaints, or 31%. Tap any bar or generation.

1,652NHTSA complaints, 1994–2026

128mention a crash

1mention a fire

91injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 4: 63 complaints · most for the 2026 (63)

Top complaint areas · Gen 4

Mentions in 63 complaints, 2026.

Electrical system12

Forward collision avoidance11

Seats9

Steering8

Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)7

Engine and cooling6

Crashes 0Fires 0Injuries 0

2026 (Gen 4)

NHTSA data summary

Its first model year, the 2026, drew more complaints than any other (63 of 63). Owners across the generation name electrical system most often (12 mentions), then forward collision avoidance (11).

What Passport owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2019–2025 (3rd generation)

The 2019 draws the most complaints, while CarComplaints data is thin. NHTSA owners of the 2019 often report a rearview camera that is delayed or blank, stalling, battery drain and infotainment glitches. CarComplaints owners mention a cracked windshield and lurching with no power on the 2019 and a grumbling sound when turning on the 2020. Recalls cover rearview camera software on 2019–2020 models and front frame welds on some 2019 models that may be incomplete. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the rearview camera software and frame weld recalls.
Shift into reverse several times and confirm the camera image appears quickly.
Ask about battery replacements, test the infotainment screen and, on the drive, listen for grumbling during tight turns and watch for stalling at stops.

Sources (3) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Passport complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Passport version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

1,652complaints, 1994–2026

128mention a crash

1mention a fire

91injuries reported

4complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2019 (278), 1998 (229), 1999 (228)

2019 · 278 complaints

Crashes 7 · fires 0 · injuries 5

Electrical system86

Forward collision avoidance54

Unknown or other53

Engine51

Power train25

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Passport CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 53 Passport versions for model years 1994–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 405 g/mi (2022). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 11994–1997

15–18 mpg · CO₂ 494–592 g/mi

Gen 21998–2002

16–17 mpg · CO₂ 523–555 g/mi

Gen 32019–2025

21–22 mpg · CO₂ 405–427 g/mi

Gen 42026

20–21 mpg · CO₂ 424–446 g/mi

Model year2025

21combined MPG

416CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,200EPA yearly fuel cost

4/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

4/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: AWD · Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L — 21 MPG · 416 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Passport vs Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota 4Runner

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 1998–2002. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the Passport, against 7 for the Nissan Pathfinder and 2 for the Toyota 4Runner. Pick a range to compare.

Honda PassportGen 4

Model years 2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 1
NHTSA owner complaints: 63
EPA combined mpg: 20–21
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.5 L
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 12
Forward collision avoidance 11
Seats 9

Nissan Pathfinder

Model years 2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 0
NHTSA owner complaints: 10
EPA combined mpg: 21–23
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.5 L
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 2
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 2
Rear camera / back-over prevention 1

Toyota 4Runner

Model years 2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 2
NHTSA owner complaints: 7
EPA combined mpg: 21–23
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.4 L
Also listed: turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 3
Electrical system 2
Forward collision avoidance 1

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Honda Passport VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Passport

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Orange Honda Passport (fourth generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Passport's VIN plate is at the lower driver's side windshield. Inside the driver's door jamb, a sticker carries the full number, and the B-pillar on the driver's side has an additional label. Passport was relaunched in 2019 after a long hiatus, any unit claiming to be a 1990s Passport will carry a different VIN structure, so always verify the decode matches the listed model year. The Gen 4 generation starts with the 2026 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (T for 2026) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Honda Passport VIN questions

Which Honda Passport model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2019 leads with 278, ahead of the 1998 (229) and 1999 (228). Those first two alone make up 31% of the 1,652 Passport complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Honda Passport had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 29 vehicle campaigns for model years 1994–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 3 leads with 16. Then come the Gen 2 (8), Gen 1 (4) and Gen 4 (1), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Honda Passport recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 94V-132, 05V-466 and 24V-900. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Passport generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 1 is 1994–1997 and the Gen 2 1998–2002. Gen 3 spans 2019–2025, Gen 4 2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (T is 2026).

What fuel economy does the Honda Passport get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2026 Gen 4 at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 15–18 mpg for the 1994–1997 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Honda Passport compare with the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota 4Runner on recalls?

For 2026 models the Passport has 1 NHTSA recall campaign. The Nissan Pathfinder has 0, the Toyota 4Runner 2. Complaints run 63, 10 and 7 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Honda Passport have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Passport 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.

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