Is the Honda Passport unibody?

Yes. The current Honda Passport uses unibody construction and shares its platform with the Honda Pilot. The original Passport, sold from 1993 through 1998, used a traditional body-on-frame chassis derived from the Isuzu Rodeo.

Current Passport: unibody crossover

What unibody means for this model

The modern Passport is a two-row midsize SUV designed as a unibody crossover, meaning the body and frame are built as a single unit rather than a separate frame plus body. This approach generally yields a smoother ride, better on-road handling, and improved fuel economy compared with traditional body-on-frame SUVs.

Before diving into the details, here are the key points about the Passport’s current construction and platform:

• The Passport is built on a unibody architecture that integrates the vehicle’s structure into one cohesive unit, not a separate body mounted to a ladder-type frame.


• It shares its underlying platform with the Honda Pilot, aligning drivetrain, suspension, and many components between the two models.


• Real-Time AWD with Intelligent Control System provides traction management across different surfaces without the complexity of a truck-based frame.


• Suspension and handling are tuned for a car-like ride and everyday practicality, while still offering credible off-road capability with appropriate trim and tires.

In summary, the Passport’s unibody design supports a comfortable ride, improved efficiency, and modern safety integrations, aligning it with most contemporary Honda crossovers rather than traditional body-on-frame SUVs.

Historical note: the original Passport (1993–1998) was body-on-frame

How the first-generation Passport differed

The original Honda Passport was built on a body-on-frame chassis borrowed from the Isuzu Rodeo, a common setup for rugged SUVs of that era. This construction typically offered solid towing potential and off-road capability but resulted in a firmer ride and higher road-borne noise compared with unibody designs.

Before outlining the exact contrasts, here are the defining characteristics of the first-generation Passport’s construction and market position:

• Chassis: body-on-frame construction, which uses a separate frame to which the body is attached.


• Platform lineage: closely related to the Isuzu Rodeo, reflecting Honda’s collaboration with Isuzu for that generation.


• Body style and purpose: positioned as a more rugged, truck-like SUV within Honda’s lineup of the time.


• Lifecycle: produced in the mid-1990s and discontinued after 1998 as Honda shifted focus to other models.

Ultimately, the first-generation Passport embodied the era’s traditional SUV design, while the modern Passport embraces the unibody approach that dominates today’s crossover segment.

Summary

The short answer is that the current Honda Passport is a unibody crossover, sharing its platform with the Honda Pilot. The nameplate’s history, however, includes a first generation (1993–1998) that used body-on-frame construction derived from the Isuzu Rodeo. For buyers, this means modern Passports ride more like a car with SUV versatility and improved efficiency, while any older Passport memorabilia represents a truck-based, body-on-frame SUV from Honda’s early SUV era.

What is the most common problem with the Honda Passport?

The most common problems with the Honda Passport include infotainment system malfunctions, such as the display going blank and speakers crackling, and issues with the 9-speed automatic transmission, which can include delayed or harsh acceleration. Other frequent complaints involve body hardware issues like a rear hatch that won't open and occasional electrical problems with features like the fuel filler pipe or air bags.
 
Infotainment and electrical issues 

• Display screen and audio: The infotainment screen may go blank, and speakers can crackle or pop. 
• Fuel system: Some models have had issues with a faulty fuel filler pipe, leading to fuel leaks. 
• Body and interior: Common problems include a rear hatch button that breaks, a gas smell inside the vehicle, and fading or peeling paint. 

Transmission problems 

• 9-speed transmission: Some owners report delayed, harsh, or erratic shifting with the 9-speed transmission, particularly in models from 2019-2022. 
• Engine and related systems:
  • Varnish buildup: This can cause a ticking noise from the engine. 
  • Oil in spark plug tubes: This can lead to misfires. 
  • Timing belt: Newer models have a timing belt that requires replacement, which is an expensive but necessary maintenance item to prevent engine failure. 

Other potential problems

• Steering: Some 2023 models have been recalled for a risk of steering loss due to a loose ball joint. 
• Brakes: Some reports mention premature brake wear and issues with the ABS light coming on. 
• Vibration: Some owners have experienced vibration, particularly at highway speeds. 

Is the Passport unibody?

Yes, the Honda Passport is unibody, meaning its body and frame are a single structure. This construction method provides advantages like a more comfortable ride and better on-road handling compared to traditional body-on-frame SUVs. Honda has enhanced the unibody frame for the newer models to improve their off-road capabilities.
 

• Unibody construction: The Passport's body and frame are integrated into a single, rigid unit. 
• Ride quality: Unibody construction results in a more refined, quieter, and comfortable driving experience, especially on paved roads. 
• Off-road capability: For the latest models, Honda has reinforced the unibody chassis and added features like torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and an independent suspension to make it more capable off-road. 
• Comparison to body-on-frame: This design is different from more rugged SUVs that use a body-on-frame construction, which typically involves a separate frame and body. 

Is Honda Passport body-on-frame or unibody?

The Honda Passport is a unibody SUV, meaning its body and frame are a single structure, which differs from traditional body-on-frame SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner. This unibody construction provides advantages such as a more refined and comfortable ride, quieter operation, and better handling. 
This video explains why body-on-frame SUVs have a higher center of gravity: 59sAutomotivePressYouTube · Jul 22, 2025

• Unibody construction: The Passport uses a reinforced unibody frame, where the body and frame are integrated into one structure for increased rigidity and a lighter weight. 
• Benefits: This design contributes to a smoother, quieter ride on paved roads and superior handling and cornering compared to many body-on-frame competitors. 
• Comparison to body-on-frame: Unlike the Passport, traditional body-on-frame SUVs have a separate body that is bolted onto a ladder frame. This method is often associated with heavy-duty capability but can result in a less comfortable ride and more interior noise. 

This video shows how Honda demonstrates the strength of the Passport's unibody chassis: 57sSean ChandlerYouTube · Mar 27, 2025

Is the 2026 Honda Passport an unibody?

The newest fourth-gen Passport is also unibody and features a fully modern interior, although you could say that its naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 seems positively old school when most of its competitors use turbocharged four-cylinder or hybrid powertrains.