A used first-generation Honda Passport, Honda's 1990s and early-2000s rebadge of the Isuzu Rodeo, is worth buying when the rear suspension campaign is cleared, the ABS behaves and the title is clean, because a collapsing rear end and ignored Isuzu campaigns turn a cheap SUV into a parts donor. On Nov. 5, 2026, the NHTSA recall API for 1998 returned 10V436000 for rear suspension issues shared with certain Isuzu Rodeo and Axiom trucks, plus earlier ABS and under-hood ground campaigns that still appear for some VINs. Run the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup.
Which Passport this is
Wikipedia describes the Passport of this era as a Honda-badged Isuzu Rodeo built for the U.S. market with four-cylinder and V6 engines. Match the year and drivetrain to the VIN, and do not confuse it with the later Honda-built Passport. Our general Passport guide covers the nameplate, and our Honda recall check walks through a VIN search.
Rear suspension campaign
Ask for proof that 10V436000 was inspected or repaired. On a lift, look at rear lower links, trailing arms and bushings for cracks or prior collision damage. A truck that squats oddly or clunks over bumps needs a shop visit before you argue price.
ABS, grounds and rust
Ask about ABS campaigns that apply to the VIN and whether the ABS light clears after start-up. Look for prior under-hood ground repairs and check the rockers and rear arches for rust-through. Our air bag deployment guide helps if the air bag light is on.
A test drive that tells you something
Drive it from cold, not after the seller has warmed it up. Listen for ticks and knocks at start-up, watch the mirror for smoke, and check that every gauge works. Try every gear, a hard stop and a slow full-lock turn both ways, then look under the truck for fresh drips. Bring a flashlight and a magnet for filler checks on the lower panels and cab corners.
Insurance, registration and inspection
Call your insurer with the VIN before you pay. A collector or agreed-value policy may need mileage limits, secure storage or photos, while a standard policy may value the vehicle low after a loss. Ask your state DMV whether the vehicle needs a VIN inspection, a safety inspection or an emissions test at transfer, and what happens if a prior registration lapsed for years. Budget for new tires if the date codes are old, even when the tread looks fine.
When to walk away
- An open 10V436000 with rear suspension play.
- An ABS light that will not clear.
- Rockers or rear arches rusted through.
- A VIN that does not match the title.
Questions to ask the seller
- Was 10V436000 done? Was the work done, and is there a receipt?
- Were ABS and ground campaigns done?
- Has it lived in a salt state?
- Has the title ever been branded?
Reading the history on an older SUV
Do not expect a complete service log. Many independent shops never reported their work, so the report matters most for title brands, odometer readings at title transfers and registration gaps by state. A car that moved from a coastal or rust-belt state to a dry one may have been retitled; look at the dates and ask why. An approved NMVTIS check adds salvage and junk records from insurers and recyclers. If the odometer readings go backward or the car shows as exempt, ask for the paper trail before you price it. Our odometer discrepancy guide explains what those entries mean.
Private-sale paperwork
Most cars like this sell privately. Make sure the name on the title matches the seller ID, the VIN on the title matches the plate and the stamping on the car, and any old lien is released in writing. Our lien release guide walks through that step. Pay by a traceable method, get a dated bill of sale, and do not accept an open title signed by someone who is not present.
How to price it
Passports of this era are cheap, so be picky. Compare recent sales on Hagerty when comps exist, then subtract suspension work, ABS repairs and rust repair.
What the report costs
As of early November 2026 a CARFAX bought direct usually costs around $44.99, and AutoCheck sits a little lower. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Our guest price has been about $5.50 a report, about $4.50 for members, and about $6.75 for a CARFAX and AutoCheck bundle. Confirm the price at checkout, since it can change.
On a car this old, read the report for title brands and odometer readings first; service entries are often thin.
Sources
- NHTSA recall lookup (API checked Nov. 5, 2026; 1998: 10V436000 rear suspension, plus ABS and under-hood ground campaigns on some VINs)
- Honda Passport, Wikipedia
- NMVTIS
- Hagerty (valuation tools)
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