2002 Isuzu RODEO SPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 23 complaints (21.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 5 |
| Suspension:Rear | 4 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
Suspension: 5; Suspension:Rear: 4; Structure:Frame And Members: 3; Structure:Body: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 5; 2012: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10031794 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE WILL CONTINUOUSLY STALL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,780 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162758 · 2006-07-18 (July 18, 2006)
SUV WILL STALL WHEN YOU GIVE IT GAS, IT WILL START TO SHAKE AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ALL COME ON, THEN THE VEHICLE GOES DEAD. SOMETIMES IF YOU HIT A BUMP IT WILL JUST TURN OFF. THIS HAPPENS ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASES, AND THE DEALER STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, I HAVE CHANGED MULTIPLE PARTS AT THERE PROMPTING TO FIX THIS, THEY HAVE ALL FAILED, THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD BE FATAL TO MY SON WHO DRIVES THIS VEHICLE. IT STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 91,010 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10303417 · 2010-01-31 (January 31, 2010)
GAS PEDAL ON 2002 ISUZU RODEO, STUCK TO THE FLOOR WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE BUT I AM AFRAID TO "FLOOR" THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN. THERE WAS NO WAY TO RELEASE THE PEDAL, IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY FLOOR MATS OR OTHER OBSTRUCTION, IT WAS MECHANICAL. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE VERY HARD AND SHUT OFF ENGINE AND THEN COAST TO A STOP. THIS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE, BUT AS I SAID I NEVER FLOORED THE PEDAL AGAIN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10303417 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458695 · 2012-05-16 (May 16, 2012)
ISUZU 2002 RODEO SPORT BRAKING TO STOP AT A STOPLIGHT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TRAILING ARM RIPPED OFF THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE STATION THE WHOLE FRAME WAS BADLY ROTTED. THE SERVICE STATION INFORMED ME THERE MAY BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH AN ISUZU DEALERSHIP AND SUBSEQUENTLY ISUZU OWNER RELATIONS, I WAS TOLD THIS RECALL WAS ONLY FOR THE ISUZU RODEO, NOT THE RODEO SPORT. I BELIEVE THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE RODEO SPORT AS T…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10457903 · 2012-05-09 (May 9, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION HEARD AS THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL HAD BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE AXLE AND THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 166,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10457903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201987 · 2007-09-05 (September 5, 2007)
I CONTACTED THE PLACE OF BUSINESS ABOUT MY DISPUTE TO THEIR WARRANTY COVERAGE. I CALLED ISUZU WARRANY HOTLINE ABOUT THE ISSUE AND RECEIVED SAME DENIAL. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN ON 03/06 ABOUT A FUEL COMPLIANT. TURNS OUT THIS TIME(8/31/07) THEY FOUND THE GAS TANK TO BE FAULTY AND SO FAR IT APPEARS THAT THE TANK HAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. ISUZU WILL NOT COVER THE TANK. ACCORDING TO ONLINE FORUMS THEIR HAVE BEEN MANY ISSUES WITH FUEL SYSTEMS ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. THERE WAS GAS LEAKING FROM THE TANK FOR A LONG TIME AND SPRAYING UNDER THE C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10201987 at NHTSA ↗