Honda did not make the Passport in 2003

Honda stopped producing the Passport after the 2002 model year. The last Passport rolled off the assembly line in 2002, so there is no 2003 Passport. If you are looking at a vehicle labeled as a 2003 and the seller claims it is a Passport, it is either mislabeled or you are looking at a different vehicle.

The Passport itself was a rebadged version of the Isuzu Rodeo, built by Isuzu but sold through Honda dealerships. When Honda ended the partnership with Isuzu, the Passport line ended with it. Honda did not bring the Passport name back until 2019, when it introduced an entirely new model based on a different platform and designed by Honda itself.

Key Takeaways

  • The original Honda Passport was discontinued after 2002 and was not produced in 2003.
  • The Passport was actually an Isuzu Rodeo sold under the Honda brand, and Honda ended the arrangement after 2002.
  • Honda revived the Passport name in 2019 with a completely new design and platform built by Honda.
  • If you find a vehicle claiming to be a 2003 Passport, verify the actual model year and vehicle identification number through the title or VIN decoder.

What the original Passport was

The Honda Passport was a mid-size sport utility vehicle that Honda sold from 1994 to 2002. It was not designed or built by Honda—it was manufactured by Isuzu and sold through Honda dealerships as a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo. This arrangement allowed Honda to offer an SUV without developing one from scratch.

The Passport shared the Rodeo's frame, engine, and interior, but wore Honda badging and trim. Buyers who wanted a Honda-branded SUV during that period had the Passport as their option, since Honda did not have its own mid-size SUV model at the time. The CR-V, which Honda did build itself, was smaller and more car-like in its handling and design.

Why Honda stopped making the Passport

Honda ended the Passport when its partnership with Isuzu wound down. The two companies had collaborated on several vehicles, but as both manufacturers shifted their product strategies, Honda decided to discontinue the rebadged Rodeo. By 2002, Honda was moving toward developing its own SUV lineup rather than relying on Isuzu platforms and manufacturing.

After 2002, Honda had no mid-size SUV in its lineup for several years. The company focused on the CR-V, which occupied the compact SUV segment. It was not until 2019 that Honda decided to create a new Passport, this time as a vehicle designed and built by Honda itself rather than a rebadged import from another manufacturer.

The 2019 Passport and beyond

When Honda brought back the Passport name in 2019, it was a completely different vehicle. The new Passport is a mid-size SUV built on Honda's own platform, designed to compete with vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet Blazer. It shares some components with the CR-V but is larger and more rugged in appearance and capability.

The 2019 Passport onward has no mechanical connection to the original 1994–2002 Passport. Honda straightforward chose to reuse the name for marketing purposes, banking on brand recognition among drivers who remembered the earlier model. If you are shopping for a Passport, you will find either the original 1994–2002 models on the used market, or the newer 2019-and-later models from Honda dealerships.

How to verify the model year of a Passport you are considering

If you are looking at a used Passport and the year is unclear, check the vehicle identification number (VIN). The VIN is a 17-character code found on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield) and on the driver's side door jamb. The 10th character in the VIN is the model year code, which you can cross-reference with a VIN decoder online.

You can also look at the title or registration document, which will show the official model year. If a seller is claiming a vehicle is a 2003 Passport, the title should tell you the actual year. Any 2003 model year vehicle with a Passport badge is either a clerical error, a badge added after purchase, or the vehicle is actually a different model that has been misidentified.

Frequently Asked Questions

Could a 2003 Isuzu Rodeo be sold as a Passport?

No. The Passport partnership ended in 2002, so Isuzu did not produce any 2003 Passports for Honda to sell. A 2003 vehicle would be badged as an Isuzu Rodeo, not a Honda Passport. If you see a 2003 with Passport badging, the badge has been added after the fact or the year listed is incorrect.

Is the 2019 Passport the same as the original?

No. The 2019 Passport is a new vehicle built on a Honda platform. The original Passport (1994–2002) was an Isuzu Rodeo sold under the Honda name. They share only the name, not the design, engine, or mechanical components.

Where can I find a 2002 Passport if I want the original?

The original Passport is available only on the used market. You would search used car listings, dealerships that specialize in older vehicles, or private sellers. Because production ended over 20 years ago, inventory is limited and prices vary based on mileage and condition.

What should I do if I own a vehicle I think is a 2003 Passport?

Check your title and VIN to confirm the actual model year and make. If the title says 2003, the vehicle is not a Passport. If it says 2002 or earlier, you own an original Passport. A mechanic or Honda dealership can also help you identify the vehicle if the paperwork is unclear.