HondaPassport2002Overview/honda/passport/2002/base/

2002 Honda Passport

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Passport.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Honda Passport is a body-on-frame SUV equipped with a 5.0-quart oil capacity requiring 5W-30 viscosity, a 4-speed automatic transmission, and EPA fuel economy ratings of 15 city, 20 highway, and 17 combined mpg. Among its 35 total owner complaints, the top problem area is the Power Train, and the model carries two recalls. Within the Passport’s complaint history spanning 1994–2026—where the highest complaint count was 270 in 1998 and the lowest 15 in 2024—the 2002 model year falls in the earlier, higher-complaint portion of the timeline, making it a generation that researchers should examine closely for powertrain durability and recall compliance.

Model year202620242023202220212020201920022001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/20/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size225-75R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 20 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Passport of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 1998 EX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998EX 3.2L V68.30 sec16.30 sec205 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 87 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.8 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidDEXRON II OR DEXRON III OR EQUIVALENT
Transfer Case Fluid15W-40 · 20W-40 · 5W-30 · 20W-50 · API

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts42 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts7.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts87 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.54 lbs
Oil TypePAG
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13.5-17.8 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature166-183 °F
Engine Compression128 minimum PSI. 14.5 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure57-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.011 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs / 54 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs / 115 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Drum Runout Limit0.006 in
Drum Nominal Diameter11.614 in / 10 in
Drum Maximum Machining11.673 in
Drum Discard at-or-over NoteDiscard value not supplied by manufacturer

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not use old bolts.

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
247 ft. lbs.47 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miDriveshaft Flange Yoke (torque)
Every 7,500 miBody Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
At 15,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Brake Wheel Cylinder (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Bushing (lubricate) · Clutch Pedal Clevis Pin (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Clutch Hydraulic Line (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Power Steering System (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Radiator (inspect)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Honda Passport ends the 1994–2002 generation with just 35 complaints, a steep decline from 146 in 2001 and well below the 1998–1999 peak of 270 and 247 complaints that drove the generation’s highest recall activity. Federal recalls trended downward from a high of 6 in 1998 to 2 in 2002, though investigations held steady at 3 for the third consecutive year. With the lowest complaint total of the entire generation, the 2002 model sits at the quietest point of the arc. Reported complaint areas for 2002 include Power Train, Structure, Suspension, and Engine & Engine Cooling, along with 7 crash-related and 0 fire-related complaints, though the data does not specify underlying causes. Given its position as the generation’s lowest-volume year for owner complaints and relatively low recall exposure, 2002 is the strongest year to buy within this used range.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
35
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
35
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 35 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train7
Structure5
Suspension4
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Air Bags,Vehicle Speed Control2
Suspension,Structure2
Air Bags2
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10V436000Suspension:RearReported 22/09/2010

ISUZU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2002 ISUZU RODEO AND MODEL YEAR 2002 ISUZU AXIOM VEHICLES, AND HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1998-2002 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES, THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR ARE CURRENTLY… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AREA. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH LITTLE OR NO CORROSION IS FOUND, THE AREA WILL BE TREATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE COMPOUND…

05V466000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 07/10/2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO FUEL CONTAMINATED WITH SILICON MAY DEVELOP SMALL PIN HOLES IN THE FUEL PUMP FEED PORT. SILICON HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE FUEL SYSTEMS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES AND IN… Remedy: FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE STATES IDENTIFIED ABOVE, DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A NEW COVER OVER THE EXISTING FEED PORT ON THE FUEL PUMP OR, IF THE EXISTING FEED PORT HAS ALREADY…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 35 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A07-0302021-01-23Equipment"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant…
DLR MSG - Honda2014-08-06Air BagsDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for…
DLR MSG - Stop S2014-07-23Air BagsDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for…
08-0402008-05-31EquipmentLOAD CARRYING CAPACITY REDUCED LABEL FOR ALL HONDA VEHICLES. *PE
SB-06-0852008-05-09Electrical SystemHONDA: WARRANTY EXTENSION-VEHICLE WARRANTY MILEAGE. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ALLEGING THAT…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Passport. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Passport take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Passport have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Passport get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg.