Frame Rust Frame Rot Wheel stabilizer rusted off while driving. While driving (1/21/09), I felt like the Passport was "skating on ice" or being hit by wind. Sudden onset of this issue. Turning a corner and driving 5 mph, I encountered a sudden loud "boom", and stopped the car immediately. The driver's back wheel stabilizer bar had fallen off of the body/frame of the Honda, completely rusted/rotted off. Had the car towed home only to discover that the frame was riddled with holes, some as large as 6" in the frame. One area of the back frame was held together was 2 small pieces, 1" wide, my husband noted numerous rusted through holes in the frame. The body looks new, no rust, no problems. We live in KY, not near an ocean, not where road salt is used a lot during the winter because the winters are not severe. Upon getting on the internet, I have found that this is a common problem, finding and noting numerous complaints by lots of Honda Passport and Isuzu Rodeo owners. I am pursuing this issue with Honda America at this time. If I had not been driving on an errand that afternoon, but had driven home as usual after work, (55 mph), I probably would not be here to tell anyone what happened. I'm sure I would have had an accident, and the cause of the accident would be noted to be the fact that the wheel stabilizer rusted off of the frame. Interestingly enough, I found a website concerning the New 1998 Isuzu Press Release posted by Auto World. In the write up, it states that they "reduced frame weight by 50 pounds" . Perhaps that is what has lead to the issue that current Passport owners are now experiencing. It is also interesting that many local Honda dealers "don't see many Honda Passports anymore". Also of interest, is that a local Honda America representative told the service manager at the dealership where we purchased our Honda Passport that "they were aware that several hundred Passports were affected by this problem, but when a million vehicles were sold, it wasn't considered to be an issue". Well, it is an issue for us. This is my only transportation. My husband has a vehicle and I have/had my Honda Passport. Now I have nothing. The vehicle is probably worth more parting it out. Anyone who has a Honda Passport or an Isuzu Rodeo, get to a garage NOW. Before you or your family are injured. Have the frame inspected. Contact Honda America and your dealership and let them know that we count. Before someone dies in an accident. At this time, I am currently attempting to get the Passport towed to the dealership for their inspection and determination if this was a manufacturer's defect, and for a determination by Honda America as to how they are going to proceed in this matter. According to EDWARD LOZEZ, American Honda representative, after a conversation today, 02/25/09, they are not liable for this issue, since "the vehicle is 11 years old, warranted for 3 years/36,000 miles and 5 year rust warranty". They have NO OBLIGATION to any Honda Passport owner. CALL HIM AND TALK TO HONDA AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE/CASE WORKER ---- EDWARD LOPEZ AT 1-800-999-1009, extension 117741. According to Mr. Lopez, there are not many Passports left on the road today (wonder why?) and the number of complaints of this nature would have to be significant for them to issue a recall. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. Interestingly enough, I sent photos of my vehicle to my local Honda dealer which were forwarded on to the Honda Rep. and then on to Honda America. Mr. Lopez told me he looked at them, but could not recall the color of my vehicle. I think they just want me to go away. I AM NOT JUST GOING AWAY. Their engineer department will look over the case/claim now, but without a Passport to examine and a metallurgist to test the frame piece in question and determine the exact metal used, whether it was a poorly made component from Honda's suppliers or not, I don't know what they are going to do. They didn't want to see my Passport unless I paid to have it towed. I wasn't going to pay to have it towed 40 miles and just find out that "yes, there is a frame rust issue"... IF YOU OWN A HONDA PASSPORT AND HAVE FRAME RUST, I URGE YOU TO CALL THEM AND LET THEM KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM. IF YOU OWN A ONE OF THESE VEHICLES, GET IT EXAMINED IMMEDIATELY, HAVE IT CHECKED FOR FRAME RUST/ROT/RUST THROUGH/FRAME WEAKENING, BY A REPUTABLE MECHANIC OR GARAGE. PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY. A recall should be considered by Honda, but they will not issue one. A class action suit by all Passport and Isuzu Rodeo owners????

Well, not much more to report. I tried to contact a lawyer to get a class action suit going, to no availl. Many, many other Passport owners have contact me through this site with the same exact problem. Honda still denies any problems. Brian Phibin from Honda told me that if I took better care of my Passport that this would not have happened. I spoke to him when I escalated my claim/complaint with Honda. Really, they are just on the other end of the phone, I may as well be talking to the wall. My Passport is now parked in the driveway. The frame has been welded back together, but it feels "loose" and I am not comfortable driving it now. I own a worthless car, THANKS TO HONDA AMERICA.
I again urge all Honda Passport owners to contact Honda, at the numbers previously provided and just keep at it.

Update from Jun 15, 2009: My vehicle is now parked in the driveway. Haven't driven it due to the frame rust issue. I received an e-mail from the Wave-3 Troubleshooter from our local TV station, who MAY do a report on this. Anyone who has a Honda Passport or Iszuzu Rodeo, get your complaints into Auto Beef for additional documentation. While sitting in the driveway, the rust issue has gotten worse. So, not due to snow, salt, dirt, sand, mud, road wear, lack of care, or anything that the folks at Honda America have used for an excuse. Just due to defective workmanship and faulty materials and poor design. Way to go, Honda. Most interesting...many Passport owners, of all different years, have reported the same problem. Honda continues to say it isn't an issue.

Update from Jul 18, 2009: ATTENTION ALL HONDA PASSPORT OWNERS, THERE IS NOW AN FEDERAL INVESTIGATION OPEN INTO OUR PROBLEM. If you have not received this e-mail from Mr. Rinehardt, then copy this letter, answer the questions and send photos and mail it to him. I am doing certified mail to ensure receipt of this. If you go further into the carcomplaints site, you will see the letter actually mailed to Isuzu and Honda. They are investigating with a possible recall for this vehicles. YES, WE HAVE BEEN HEARD!! Please do this asap, as the more info Mr. Rinehardt gets, the better our case is for a recall for these Rodeos and Passports. Contact me if you have questions. M

Dear Mr. L......,

My name is Derek Rinehardt. I am a federal investigator with the Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. We are conducting a formal investigation of 1998 through 2002 model year Isuzu Rodeo / Honda Passport vehicles for a potential safety related defect involving the rear suspension lower link components separating from the frame due to corrosion.

Thank you for filing a complaint with us in April. It is helpful to our investigation. As we gather more details it is sometimes necessary to contact the complainants for additional information.

Your complaint suggests that your vehicle may have experienced the condition we are investigating. If you wouldn't mind, please answer the questions below (even if you no longer the vehicle) to supplement the information you have already provided us. The questions may seem trivial and some may be redundant to your complaint but are very important to us.

1. If you did not provide the VIN of your vehicle with your complaint please do so.

2. Are you the original owner?

a) When was the vehicle purchased?

b) Has the vehicle been primarily driven in you current state of residence?

1. What was the date of the incident?

2. Were you the driver of the vehicle when the incident occurred?

a) Were there other passengers in the vehicle at the time of the incident?

1. Please describe in detail the specific occurrence when you became aware that the lower link failed in your vehicle.

2. Please also answer the following to supplement the prior information you have provided.

a) Approximately what time did the incident occur?

b) What were the weather conditions at the time of the incident?

c) Warning Signs:

i) Were there any warning signs alerting you to an impending issue with your vehicle?

ii) If there were warning signs please describe the warning signs. (i.e. noise, etc.)

iii) How long prior to the failure did you notice the warning signs?

d) Which component failed (right or left)?

e) How many miles were on your vehicle at the time of the failure?

f) How fast were you traveling when the failure occurred?

g) What type of road were you traveling on (i.e. two lane road, highway, residential street, etc)?

i) If you recall the exact location please provide that information (for example the intersection of ABC Street and XYZ lane)

h) What were the traffic conditions? (light, moderate, heavy)

i) Were you able to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road?

i) Was your vehicle stranded in a lane of traffic?

j) If the vehicle was left inoperable did the vehicle require towing?

i) How long did it take for a tow truck to arrive? Where was the vehicle towed?

k) At the time of the incident were you using your vehicle to tow a boat, trailer, etc.?

1. Has the issue been corrected on your vehicle? If so how was it corrected?

2. Did you report the issue to Isuzu / Honda? If so what did Isuzu / Honda say in their response to you?

Also, please feel free to add any additional relevant information (including pictures). Thank you again for filing your complaint and contributing to our investigation.

Best Regards,

Derek L. Rinehardt Safety Defects Engineer / Federal Investigator U.S Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation, Vehicle Controls Division 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE W48-219, NVS-213 Washington, DC 20590 Office: (202) 366-3642, (877) 536-8368 x63642 Fax: (202) 366-1767