Model year record

1998 Isuzu Rodeo recalls & problems

The 1998 Isuzu Rodeo has 4 safety recalls and 478 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (232 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints478filed by owners

Crashes · fires81 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths31 · 0reported in complaints

1998 Isuzu Rodeo in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SuspensionSep 22, 2010

Rear

Recall 10V436000149,992 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

SuspensionMar 2, 2000

Rear

Recall 00V058000213,736 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. PAINT WAS APPLIED UNEVENLY ON THE REAR AXLES, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT PAINT HARDNESS. SHOULD THIS OCCUR ON THE SURFACE THAT CONTACTS THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK BRACKET BOLT HEAD AND/OR NUT, THE NUT MAY LOOSEN.
Risk: THE BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK JOINT NUT AND BOLT.

Electrical systemJul 24, 1998

Wiring › Front underhood

Recall 98V17000055,475 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. A GROUND CONNECTION TERMINAL WAS NOT PROPERLY CRIMPED IN THE SUPPLIER'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MANUFACTURING LINE. THIS IMPROPER CRIMPING PROCESS CAN LEAVE AN IMPRESSION ON THE TERMINAL THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A STRESS FRACTURE. S
Risk: IF A TERMINAL IS FRACTURED, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAN RECEIVE AN ERRONEOUS SIGNAL INDICATING A HIGH VEHICLE SPEED, THEREBY CAUSING THE PCM TO CUT THE FUEL, CAUSING A 'NO-START' CONDITION, OR A POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.

Unknown or otherNov 13, 1997

Unknown or other

Recall 97V206001233 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER'S SIDE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT RUBBER FLOOR MAT. REPEATED MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVER'S FEET AND ACTUATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN RESULT IN A SHIFTING OF THE MAT'S POSITION. THIS SHIFTING CAN CAUSE AN INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A RESTRICTION OF THE PEDAL'S RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: ISUZU IS ASKING FOR THE RETURN OF THE FLOOR MAT SET AND WILL REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THE COST OF THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT SET ALONG WITH ANY RETURN SHIPPING COSTS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1998 Isuzu Rodeo 4-DR. 4x4

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Rodeo 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Rodeo 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Rodeo 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Rodeo 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Rodeo 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	232	67	0	24	76,882 mi
StructureFrame and members; Frame and members › Underbody shields	69	1	0	0	127,000 mi
SuspensionRear; Front	61	2	0	0	144,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	42	3	1	1	80,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Horn	31	1	2	0	93,325 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control	29	6	0	4	58,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	23	1	0	1	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Fuel pump	17	2	0	0	84,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal	16	11	0	5	—
Fuel system, otherStorage › Fuel gauge system; Storage › Tank assembly › Filling/charging	16	2	0	2	70,000 mi
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist system	14	2	0	1	—
Unknown or other	13	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
4S2CM58W0W4[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Sep 1, 2003
Suspension
RUSTED SUSPENSION. BROKE OFF FROM FRAME
Feb 13, 2019 · 170,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
SUDDEN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION AT STOP OR MOVING SLOW IN TOWN. EXTREME DANGER !!AND HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.
Feb 26, 2016 · 120,000 miles
Service brakes
MY AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF...HAD CODES CHECKED AND CLEARED BUT THE LIGHT COME BACK ON....BRAKES HAS BEEN REPLACED...BUT BREAKING DISTANCE IS EXTENDED
Jan 5, 2015
Structure › Body
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HIT A POTHOLE AND HEARD A LOUD THUMP FROM REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT TILL THE NEXT DAY WHEN I DROVE TO WORK. IT SEEMED EVERY BUMP I GOT THE SAME NOISE. GOT TO WORK,LOOKED UNDER CAR, ALL SEEMED FINE. JUST HAPPENED TO LOOK IN REAR CARGO ARE AND SAW LUMP IN CARPET. THE SPRING WAS POKING UP THRU THE REAR FLOOR !!!! HOW IS THIS NOT A RECALL? AFTER SEEING THE POSTS ONLINE I REALIZE THIS IS COMMON. I NEVER KNEW, BEEN DRIVING VEHICLE FOR 10 YEARS WITH NO ISSUES.
Dec 5, 2015 · 168,000 miles
Unknown or other
IS THE IGNITION SWITCH IN MY ISUZU THE SAME AS THE ONE RECALLED BY G.M.? IT LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE IT.
Sep 17, 2015
Structure › Body
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STAY IN POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY STEER THE VEHICLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Jul 16, 2015 · 230,000 miles
Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
REAREND CAME LOOSE DRIVING WENT TO GET CHECK OUT,BAD NEWS CLAMPS HOLDING REAREND TO FRAME CAME APART BECAUSE FRAME RUSTED OUT AND THEIR IS NOTING TO HOLD ON TO BECAUSE FRAME GONE.SO WANT DO I DO NEXT? *TR
Dec 3, 2014

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Rear Suspension Lower Link DetachmentClosedLed to recall 10V436000
On September 22, 2010, Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall 10V-436) to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration affecting approximately 120,000 model year (MY) 1998-2002 Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport vehicles and MY 2002 Isuzu Axiom vehicles originally sold, or currently operated, in the following states:Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. All vehicle owners will receive the recall notification.Vehicles 10 years of age or younger will be provided with a free remedy.For vehicles older than 10 years, Isuzu will offer a free remedy provided the vehicle is presented to an Isuzu service facility…
EA09018 · opened Dec 7, 2009 · closed Oct 15, 2010
REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK FAILUREClosedLed to recall 10V436000
DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE09-030, ISUZU MOTORS AMERICA, INC (ISUZU) NOTED TWO PRIMARY DIFFERENCES ONCE THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK SEPARATION OCCURS BETWEEN THE ALLEGED DEFECT (SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE FRAME) OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND A SAFETY DEFECT INVOLVING LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE REAR AXLE ADDRESSED BY ISUZU IN SAFETY RECALL 00V-058.IN THE CASE OF THE DEFECT CONDITION IDENTIFIED IN RECALL 00V-058, ISUZU STATED THAT THE ATTACHMENT BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE POSSIBLY CREATING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ISUZU ALSO STATED THAT THIS CONDITION OCCURS EARLY IN THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.IN THIS INVESTIGATION ISUZU NOTED LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME IS A PROGRESSIVE CORROSION ISSUE WITH PRIOR WARNING TO CONSUMERS.ISUZU ALSO STATED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME, THE…
PE09030 · opened Jun 16, 2009 · closed Dec 8, 2009
BRAKING SYSTEM/ABSClosedLed to recall 02I002000
There is no summary currently available
EA99008 · opened Mar 31, 1999 · closed Jul 31, 2002
BROKEN ACCELERATOR PEDALClosed
COMPLAINTS ALLE THAT THE HONDA PASSPORT (THE HONDA PASSPORT AND ISUZU RODEO ARE SIMILAR VEHICLES, BOTH MANUFACTURED BY ISUZU) ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEPARATES FROM THE PEDAL LINKAGE.
PE98054 · opened Oct 9, 1998 · closed Feb 18, 1999
BRAKING SYSTEM/ABSClosed
PE98051 · opened Sep 23, 1998 · closed Mar 31, 1999