Owners filed 101 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension. It has been recalled 2 times.
When it fails
08558785,587 milesMedian miles at failure
66 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000–105,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
11
0
0
0
Suspension
10
1
0
0
Structure › Frame and Members
9
0
0
0
Structure › Body
7
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
6
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
6
0
0
0
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
4
0
0
0
Air Bags
4
3
0
4
Structure
3
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
3
0
0
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Suspension › Rear10V436000
Filed Sep 22, 2010149,992 vehiclesIsuzu Manufacturing Services Of America
Defect. 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 REGISTERED, IN THE STATES OF MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, AND KENTUCKY. VEHICLES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SUSTAINED EXPOSURE TO HIGHLY CORROSIVE MATERIALS USED IN SOME JURISDICTIONS FOR ROAD DEICING PURPOSES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE VICINITY OF THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT BRACKET FOR THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK PRIOR TO THE TIME THAT SUCH CORROSION WOULD NORMALLY BE EXPECTED.
Risk. EXCESSIVE CORROSION MAY RESULT IN THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH.
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. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH CORROSION HAS DAMAGED THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AND AFFECTED ITS CONNECTION TO THE VEHICLE FRAME, A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED. IN THE RARE EVENT THE CORROSION IS SO SEVERE THAT THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKET REMEDY WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE, A REPURCHASE OFFER WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE VEHICLE'S OWNER. ALL INSPECTIONS AND REMEDIES WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE 10 YEARS OLD OR LESS. FOR VEHICLES OLDER THAN 10 YEARS, ISUZU WILL OFFER A FREE REMEDY, BUT ONLY IF THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN ISUZU SERVICE FACILITY, OR HONDA DEALER (AS APPLICABLE), DEALER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF WHEN OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WERE ISSUED. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. ISUZU OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727. HONDA OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Filed Oct 7, 200515,515 vehiclesIsuzu Manufacturing Services Of America
Defect. 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 CERTAIN FUEL AVAILABLE IN THE REGION OF TYLER, TEXAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN TEXAS AND THE FOUR SURROUNDING STATES: OKLAHOMA, ARKANSAS, NEW MEXICO AND LOUISIANA.
Risk. A FUEL LEAK COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
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 BEEN DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE NEW COVER. THE NEW COVER WILL BE MADE OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Structure
Filed Mar 13, 202691,819 milesIL
The contact owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact recently became aware of severe corrosion on the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V436000 (Suspension) approximately 10 years ago. The contact believed that the recall repair should have covered more than just the rear suspension and that the entire subframe should have been included. The vehicle was taken to two independent Collision Centers and was advised that the cost of repair exceeded the value of the vehicle, and the vehicle was declined to be repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,819.
Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Sep 16, 2025117,000 milesAR
The contact owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that as she was coasting to the right to stop on the shoulder, she observed that there was smoke in the cabin. The contact stated that after she stopped, she opened the driver's side passenger door and saw that smoke was emitting from under the passenger seat, which had been folded over in "cargo mode." The contact lifted the seat and saw that the seat back was melted, with a black spot in the center. The contact stated that she had a cooler in the back that was full of water, and she poured all of it behind and under the seat. The contact saw that the water evaporated. The contact then checked out outside of the vehicle to see if there was any heat source. The contact observed that flames had formed under the rear driver's side wheel well. The contact stated that a person who lived in the house near where she had stopped had observed what was happening and came out with a fire extinguisher and extinguished the fire. The fire department was not called. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V466000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) due to the location of the fuel tank, which was located on the driver's side rear, by the rear wheel well. The failure mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 5, 2022105,370 milesMO
The contact's son owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated while driving downhill at 40 MPH around a curve with a child sitting in the rear seat, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that upon turning the steering wheel, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact continued driving until the vehicle responded. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while her son was driving the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe was severely fractured. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V436000 (Suspension) had previously been completed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,370.
Structure › Body
Filed Nov 27, 2021GA
Frame rust condition which makes the SUV un repairable
Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 20, 201788,000 milesMA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED OUT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Suspension
Filed Jul 19, 2017150,000 milesNE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION NEAR THE AXLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM AN UNKNOWN RECALL CAMPAIGN BECAUSE NEBRASKA WAS NOT CONSIDERED A SALT BELT STATE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE OF COMPONENTS POTENTIALLY FRACTURING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 10/18/17*LJ *TR
Air Bags
Filed Jan 12, 2017180,000 milesFL
TAKATA AIR BAG, MY 2002 RODEO AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, ON THE DASHBOARD, I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS NOT PART OF THE RECALLS, IT IS A VEHICLE MADE BY HONDA AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALLS, ITS THE SAME VEHICLE AS THE HONDA PASSPORT JUST A DIFFERENT YR AND ITS A FLORIDA REGISTERED AUTOMOBILE, HOW CAN I GET HELP WITH THIS AIRBAG PROBLEM, I SHOULDNT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO DEFECTS AND RECALLS.
Service Brakes
Filed Jan 9, 2017110,000 milesOH
I HAVE 110,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND WAS JUST TOLD FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR HAS MANY MILES LEFT ON ENGINE, NOT HAPPY ABOUT RUSTED FRAME I HAVE HEARD ABOUT , ALSO ABS LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON.
Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jul 9, 2016133,000 milesAZ
I PULLED INTO A HANDICAP PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A SUPERMARKET, PUT IT IN PARK, SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. GOT OUT OUT VEHICLE, LOCKED THE DOORS. STARTED TO WALK AWAY AND A GUY THAT WAS SITTING AT A TABLE IN FRONT OF STORE YELLED THERE GOES YOUR CAR. I RAN BESIDE THE CAR TO TRY TO OPEN THE DOOR TO NO AVAIL. THE CAR CRASHED BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND WAS TOLD BY THEM TO CALL INSURANCE COMPANY AND TO LEAVE IF BOTH VEHICLES WERE OKAY TO DRIVE. I FEEL THE PARK GEAR FAILED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE JUST IN PARK A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 7, 2016100,000 milesTX
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FUEL ODOR WAS NOTICED AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Structure › Body
Filed Feb 22, 2016100,000 milesNY
"TAKATA RECALL " MY STABILIZER BAR UNDER MY CAR BROKE OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE THRUWAY I ALMOST CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND I RAN OFF THE ROAD.
Structure › Body
Filed Dec 17, 2015145,000 milesOH
DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING CALL AND STEERING SUDDENLY SEEMED "FUNNY". PULLED OVER, HAD CAR TOWED AND WAS TOLD THE MOUNTING BRACKET FOR THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SWAY BAR RUSTED FROM THE MAINFRAME OF THE CAR AND THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN. RESEARCHED ON WEB AND ISUZU HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. CALLED HONDA AND THEY SUGGESTED WE TOW THE CAR OVER 110 MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. IF AT THAT TIME THEY INSPECTED IT AND DETERMINE ISUZU IS AT FAULT THE MAY OR MAY NOT OFFER ANY COMPENSATION. I FEEL IT IS UNREASONABLE TO REQUIRE ME TO TOW THE CAR 110 MILES. I EXAMINED RECEIPTS FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND ISUZU ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS CAR. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED ON 11/10/11 AND THIS WAS TYPED ON THE RECEIPT: CAU INSPECT FOUND STAGE 1. TREAT PER RECALL. COMPLETE OPERATES AS DESIGN. LABELED A STAGE 1 FIX. OBVIOUSLY, THEY DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. SINCE ISUZU HAS RECALLED THIS CAR DO I HAVE ANY OPTIONS? IS THERE A CLASS LAWSUIT AGAINST ISUZU?
Structure › Body
Filed Aug 24, 2015100,000 milesNY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Sep 22, 201489,000 milesMI
ONLY A FEW WEEKS AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WHILE DRIVING THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE LITERALLY CRACKED AND SEPARATED. THE REAR PASSENGER FRAME PIECE WAS HANGING DOWN AND FORWARD! WE WERE SO GRATEFUL THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN JUST A FEW MILES BEFORE WHEN WE WERE ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT 70MPH. WE COULD HAVE DIED! *TR
SuspensionCrash
Filed Jul 11, 2014164,000 milesMA
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY TRACTION BAR FELL OFF CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THE CURB. THE WHOLE FRAME IS ROTTING OUT I HAD NO IDEA OF THE RECALL UNTIL I LOOKED INTO IT NOW. HOW CAN I GET MY TRUCK FIXED? *TR
Suspension
Filed Feb 7, 201474,899 milesPA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AREA WHERE THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS WERE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V436000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,899 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 24, 2013MS
WHILE TRAVELING ON A ROAD, A HORSE RAN ACROSS AND CAUSED A COLLISION. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS DAMAGED, AS WELL AS, BOTH SIDE WINDOWS AND THE RADIATOR. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING INJURIES TO TWO PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE. THE OFFICER AT THE SCENE SAID THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEFINITELY DEPLOYED. *TR
Engine
Filed Jun 17, 2013110,000 milesTX
VEHICLE STALLS IN SLOW TURNS, REDUCED POWER LIGHT COMES ON ONCE EVERY THREE WEEKS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. *TR
Structure › Body
Filed Apr 23, 2013148,381 milesIA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB-FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,381.
Suspension
Filed Feb 27, 2013MA
TODAY WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY. MY ISUZU RODEO STARTED TO SWAY ON THE HIGHWAY. AND WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS THE REAR END BEGAN CLUNKING AS IT SLOWED. IT FEELS LIKE IM TOWING DEAD WEIGHT. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND IT WAS SMOKING UNDER THE REAR END. ITS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE IS SOMETHING MAJOR WRONG WITH THE REAR END OF THE CAR. I BRING MY CAR IN EVERY 2 1/2 MONTHS SINCE I TRAVEL ALOT, TO GET CHECKED UP AND THE OIL CHANGED. I HAVE NOT HAD AND ISSUE AND IF I DID I WOULD FIX THEM. AFTER READING THE STORIES ONLINE ABOUT THE REAR END RECALL I FEEL I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. AT THE MOMENT I HAVE NO CAR AND IM STUCK AT WORK. AND NEED INFO HOW TO GET MY CAR RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. SINCE ITS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
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: Sep 22, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.