1996 Isuzu Rodeo

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 97 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the wheels › lugs/nuts/bolts/studs. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs17
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline8
000
Air Bags › Frontal8
803
Wheels5
000
Vehicle Speed Control4
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip4
100
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls3
000
Unknown or Other3
100
Suspension3
001
Structure › Frame and Members3
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting06E065000
Filed Jul 17, 20063,593 vehiclesAj Motorsport

Defect. CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jun 18, 2019PR

TAKATA RECALL INESPERADAMENTE SE ACTIVO LA BOLSA DE AIRE DEL CHOFER QUEMANDO LOS BRAZOS Y LA BARRIGA DE MI ESPOSA , ELLA SINTIO UN OLOR FUERTE A CABLE QUEMADO PENSO QUE VENIA DEL EXTERIOR Y SACO SU CARA HACIA FUERA , Y CASI EN EL INSTANTA EXPLOTO LA SBOLSA YO SALI CORRIENDO Y LA VI LLENA DE UN POLVO BLANCO Y SUS BRAZOS QUEMADOS ,DAMOS GRACIAS A DIOS QUE TENIA LA CARA POR LA VENTANA , DE LO CONTRARIO LE HUVIESE QUEMADO EL REOSTRO ,EL VEHICULO ESTABA PARADO DESPUES DE DAR RIVERSA

Suspension
Filed May 27, 2014153,213 milesIN

THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE IS RUSTED EXCESSIVELY AND IS DEEMED BY QUALIFIED MECHANICS AS NOT ROADWORTHY. ALL OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE WORK PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE STILL LOOKS GREAT. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 6, 2012166,000 milesMN

EFFECTIVE PART: THE 2 MAIN FRAMES ARE RUST OUT AND COULD BREAK AT ANYTIME. WE BELIEVE ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE FRAMES ARE DETERIORATING IS FROM SALT DURING THE WINTER. DO TO THE COMPANY BAD FRAMING. *TR

Structure
Filed Aug 2, 2011NH

THE FRAME OF MY 1996 ISUZU RODEO IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WHEN SEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY LARGE ISSUE THAT ISUZU IS HAVING. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER TESTIMONIALS STATING THAT THEIR ISUZU RODEO'S FRAME IS RUSTED AWAY, AND THEY HAVE LESS THEN 100,000 MILES ON IT. MY RODEO HAS 110,000 MILES, BUT HAS PROBABLY BEEN RUSTED OUT SOME TIME AGO. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON THAT A FRAME TO ANY MANUFACTURED VEHICLE SHOULD BE RUSTED OUT AROUND 100,000 MILES. MANY, MANY OTHER COMPONENTS TO THE CAR SHOULD BE GOING BAD WELL BEFORE THE FRAME ROTS OUT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER CARS IN THE WORLD THAT ARE LITERALLY DECADES OLDER, AND DO NOT SHOW NEARLY AS MUCH FRAME RUST. ISUZU USED VERY LOW QUALITY, NON-RESISTANT METAL TO MAKE THE FRAME, AND IT HAS ALREADY INJURED/KILLED MANY PEOPLE. ISUZU RECOGNIZED THERE PROBLEM, AND MADE A RECALL ON THE RODEO'S FOR YEARS 1998-2002. THE SAME MATERIAL WAS USED IN ALL RODEO'S SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE 1998, HOWEVER, THEY LIMITED THERE RECALL TO ONLY 5 YEARS TO CUT DOWN EXPOSURE AND COSTS OF REPAIR. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! THERE ARE 1996 AND 1997 RODEO'S ROTTING OUT AROUND 80,000 MILES. WHAT? WHY? THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CRIMINAL! THIS RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE ALL RODEO'S THAT EXPERIENCE THIS SAME PROBLEM, WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THEM. NOT JUST YEARS 1998-2002. MY FRAME HAS LARGE HOLES IN IT, AND CAN BE BROKEN BY HAND. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING FOR EASILY ANOTHER DECADE. CAN SOMETHING PLEASE BE DONE ABOUT THIS, BEFORE MORE P

Structure
Filed Aug 2, 2011NH

THE FRAME OF MY 1996 ISUZU RODEO IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WHEN SEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY LARGE ISSUE THAT ISUZU IS HAVING. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER TESTIMONIALS STATING THAT THEIR ISUZU RODEO'S FRAME IS RUSTED AWAY, AND THEY HAVE LESS THEN 100,000 MILES ON IT. MY RODEO HAS 110,000 MILES, BUT HAS PROBABLY BEEN RUSTED OUT SOME TIME AGO. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON THAT A FRAME TO ANY MANUFACTURED VEHICLE SHOULD BE RUSTED OUT AROUND 100,000 MILES. MANY, MANY OTHER COMPONENTS TO THE CAR SHOULD BE GOING BAD WELL BEFORE THE FRAME ROTS OUT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER CARS IN THE WORLD THAT ARE LITERALLY DECADES OLDER, AND DO NOT SHOW NEARLY AS MUCH FRAME RUST. ISUZU USED VERY LOW QUALITY, NON-RESISTANT METAL TO MAKE THE FRAME, AND IT HAS ALREADY INJURED/KILLED MANY PEOPLE. ISUZU RECOGNIZED THERE PROBLEM, AND MADE A RECALL ON THE RODEO'S FOR YEARS 1998-2002. THE SAME MATERIAL WAS USED IN ALL RODEO'S SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE 1998, HOWEVER, THEY LIMITED THERE RECALL TO ONLY 5 YEARS TO CUT DOWN EXPOSURE AND COSTS OF REPAIR. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! THERE ARE 1996 AND 1997 RODEO'S ROTTING OUT AROUND 80,000 MILES. WHAT? WHY? THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CRIMINAL! THIS RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE ALL RODEO'S THAT EXPERIENCE THIS SAME PROBLEM, WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THEM. NOT JUST YEARS 1998-2002. MY FRAME HAS LARGE HOLES IN IT, AND CAN BE BROKEN BY HAND. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING FOR EASILY ANOTHER DECADE. CAN SOMETHING PLEASE BE DONE ABOUT THIS, BEFORE MORE P

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 20, 2011150,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE RUST WAS BUILDING UP UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V436000 (SUSPENSION:REAR) BUT THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD EXTEND THE RECALL TO LATER MODEL VEHICLES AS THE FAILURE WAS CONCURRENT WITH THE FAILURE. 150,000. UPDATED 9/16/11 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE GAS TANK LEAKED DUE TO THE RUSTING OF THE VEHICLE. THE GAS TANK SUPPORTS RUSTED OUT AND THE FRAME WAS CRUMBLING FROM THE RUST. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS BEYOND REPAIR. UPDATED 11/02/11

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 1, 2011111,000 milesNY

HI, I OWN AN ISUZU RODEO S V6 (YEAR 1996) AND AFTER HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP MY MECHANIC ALERTED ME ABOUT AN ADVANCED RUSTING DETERIORATION ON THE STRUCTURAL FRAME OF THE CAR. NOT ONLY THE BODY OF THE CAR IS RUSTED BUT THE FUEL LINE PIPES AS WELL. THE BREAK FLUID PIPE BROKE TWO YEARS AGO DUE TO RUSTING BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY REDUCING GEARS. THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN GREAT CONDITION (MECHANICALLY, ELECTRICALLY, ETC) AND IT IS A SHAME THAT IN VITAL PARTS OF THE CAR ISUZU USED CHEAP/NON-RESISTANT MATERIAL. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Feb 2, 2011125,000 milesMO

I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE CABLE DIDN'T RETURN TO IDLE WHEN I LET OFF THE PEDAL. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE NOR WOULD PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL. TURNING OFF THE IGNITION IS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP ACCELERATION. I DROVE OUT OF CONTROL THROUGH TWO PEOPLES YARDS BEFORE COMING TO THIS CONCLUSION. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 25, 2010149,000 milesMO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 ISUZU RODEO. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION TRAVELING 35 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 149,000.

Suspension › Rear
Filed Oct 5, 2010189,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 ISUZU RODEO. THE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND COVERED WITH RUST. AFTER A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED AND COVERED WITH RUST. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed May 12, 2010AL

THE FRAME OF MY 1996 ISZUZ RODEO IS RUSTED AWAY. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Feb 22, 201070,000 milesCT

FRAME IS ROTTED ON 1996 ISUZU RODEO COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH , ONLY 98,000 MILES. *TR

Steering › Column
Filed Jul 23, 200785,000 milesMD

COMPLETELY RUSTED STEERING COLUMN FAILED (TWO PIECES). STEERING WHEEL COMPLETE MECHANICAL DISCONNECTION FROM VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISM CAUSED A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
Filed Jun 7, 2006FL

MY EGR VALVE ON MY 96 ISUZU RODEO KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND HE SAID THAT IN THE LAST YEAR HE HAS SOLD OVER 100 EGR VALVES FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THEM. I NEED TO KNOW WHY THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THIS DO TO IT BEING AN ONGOING PROBLEM CAUSING EXTREMELY BAD GAS USE. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 30, 200573,368 milesFL

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RPMS REVVED AS HIGH AS THE GAUGE WOULD ALLOW. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, CHECKED THE ENGINE ,AND DISCOVERED THE RUBBER BOOT IN THE THROTTLE BODY WAS MELTED. THE BOOT WAS REMOVED BY THE CONTACT AND THIS REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Nov 8, 2004CA

FOR THE 2ND TIME THE LUGS & STUDS ON THE ISUZU RODEO HAVE EITHER BROKEN/CRACKED OR STRIPPED WHEN A TIRE ROATION IS BEING PREFORMED. BOTH TIMES SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANUELLY TRIED TO REMOVE THE LUGS . AND AFTERWARDS TRIED TO TIGHTEN THE LUGS. AS A RESULT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE - SINCE THE STUDS ARE BUILT FROM THE INNER SIDE OUTWARD. NOW WITH SEVERAL LUGS STRIPPED AGAIN, I FEAR I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE AXLE AGAIN. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed May 12, 200487,500 milesMD

MY 1996 ISUZU RODEO LS SUFFERED APPROXIMATELY 30 DRIPS PER MINUTE LEAK ON TOP OF MY V6 ENGINE, POSING A POTENTIAL EXPLOSION HAZARD. THE LEAK WAS NOT FOUND FOR OVER TWO MONTHS BECAUSE THE ODOR WAS ONLY PRESENT WHILE THE TRUCK WAS RUNNING. FUEL WAS BURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLY IGNITED TWICE WHEN MY WIFE NOTICED SMOKE AND A STRONG UNIDENTIFYABLE ODOR. IT WAS NOT UNTIL MAY 2 THAT I STARTED THE TRUCK ON MY DRIVEWAY, THEN POPPED THE HOOD THEN I SAW THE FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PLACED IN THE SHOP TO REPAIR OIL LEAKS JUST THE PREVIOUS WEEK, SO THE REPAIR WAS THOUGHT TO BE COMPLETE. THE FUEL LEAK WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A FAILED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WHOSE HOUSING RUPTURED CAUSING THE FUEL LEAK. THE PART IS AVAILABLE. ROSENTHAL ISUZU ORDERED A NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE ONE.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Apr 12, 2004OH

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONTAL PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, BUT THE TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. CONSUMER CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. THEN, CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TIRE WAS NOT ON RECALL. BRIDGESTONE, FIRESTONE, DUELER 684, P245/70R16, DOT UDR381. *AK

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Dec 16, 2003GA

I HAVE HAD TO PUT THREE CLUTCHES IN MY 96 ISUZU RODEO IN ONLY FOUR YEARS. MECHANICS ALL REPORT THAT ORIGINAL CLUTCH DESIGN IS BAD.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 11, 2003NC

MY TRANSMISSION LIGHT COMES ON AND STAY ON AND THEN IT DON'T DO IT FOR A WHILE AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO REPAIR A NUMBER OF TIMES AND IT DO NOT DO IT BUT WHEN IT IS ON AND YOU ARE DRIVING IT DRIVE REAL GOOD BUT WHEN YOU STOP IT DOES NOT WANT TO PULL OF LIKE IT IS IN A STRAIN AND WHEN I PUT IT DOWN IN LOW GEAR AND PULL OFF IT DRIVES GOOD AND I SHIFT UNTIL I GET IT BACK IN DRIVE AND IT IS FIND UNTIL YOU STOP A GAIN. AND THERE WAS ONE OCCASION I STOP AND IT REAR UP TO TAKE OFF BY ITSELF AND WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK IT STILL DID THE SAME THING I HAD TO CUT IT OFF TO GET CONTROL OF IT AND THEN HE STARTED UP AGAIN AND HAS NOT AS YET DID A GAIN. THE LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AND THEN THEN THERE ARE LONG PERIOD OF TIME IT WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL AND DRIVE VERY GOOD. *LA

20 of 97 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20081000Routine
200439210Routine
200316300Routine
2002101210Routine
2001389430Above average
2000274470Above average
1999550581Fatalities reported
1998478620High concern
1997118100Routine
1996 — this page97121Fatalities reported
1995176213Fatalities reported
199482510Routine
199334231Fatalities reported
1992801163Fatalities reported
1991422150Routine

Compare every Rodeo year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 17, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.