1997 Isuzu RODEO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
80 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
125,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 41 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 80 complaints (22.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 11.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 18 |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 18; Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs: 11; Unknown Or Other: 6; Structure:Body: 5; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 14
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 39 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 10; 2001: 6; 2002: 6; 2003: 10; 2004: 9; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 12; 2011: 9; 2012: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2018: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10019031 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TIME AFTER TIME,1997 ISUZU RODEO WHICH COSTING ME ABOUT 24000.00 DOLLARS WITH HIGH INTEREST,NOW PROBLEM WITH CRANK SHAFT STICKING OUT ABOUT 1 AND A HALF INCHES WHEN YOU MASH DOWN ON CLUTCH IN WHICH SERVICE MECHANICS SAY IT SHOULD NOT DO,AND THAT IT IS COMING OUT TOO MUCH. ABS LIGHT STAYS ON,TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE LIKE THE VALVES. CAN NOT PAY ON IT GOOD BECAUSE I AM ALWAYS SPENDING MONEY TO TRY TO KEEP IT RUNNING. PAYMENT OF 384.00 DOLLARS PER MONTH FOR 5 YEARS. PURCHASED FROM THOMSON GEORGIA JEEP AND DODGE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020705 · 2003-05-29 (May 29, 2003)
BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGEERS AUTOMATIC WINDOWS HAVE BROKEN. THE MIDDLE CONSOLE IS BROKEN. THE HOOKS FOR THE BACK SEAT DO NOT LATCH THE SEAT AND THE SEAT FLIES FORWARD DURING BRAKING (A DISTRACTING HAZZARD). THE ENGINE MAKES A TICKING NOISE. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO GET TOO HOT. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO SMELL OF OIL EVEN AFTER SHORT TRIPS. THE BELTS MAKE LOUD NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS JUST STARTING - I JUST HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE STATION AND THE SERVICE MAN SAID HE DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020705 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10299607 · 2010-01-13 (January 13, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE MAIN FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST CORROSION. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO A SAFETY HAZARD. THERE WERE CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISKS INVOLVED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 2/1/10 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE FUEL PUMP HAD TO REPLACED. UPDATED 02/02/10.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10299607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10378444 · 2011-01-24 (January 24, 2011)
FRAME RUSTING AWAY FROM UNDERNEATH OUR 1997 ISUZU RODEO. FILED A COMPLAINT OVER A YEAR AGO WITH NHTSA INCLUDING PICTURES, PIECES OF THE METAL FROM THE FRAME AND DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED FOR THE RECALL ON RODEO'S AND PASSPORTS. (MY ODI #10299607) AS YOU WILL SEE THE INFORMATIONWAS TAKEN DOWN INCORRECTLY AN STATES A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM. THAT IS HOW WE FOUND OUT THE FRAME WAS BAD IS WHEN WE TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR. THERE ARE MANY ISUZU AND PASSPORT OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE FRAMES ARE ROTTING OUT AND CAUSE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10378444 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 765755 · 2002-08-16 (August 16, 2002)
HAD BRAKES COMPLETELY REPLACED 3 TIMES. MAKES WEIRD TRAIN-LIKE SOUND OVER 25 MPH; OVERHEATS WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT-NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG; AT NO PARTICULAR TIME, IF YOU SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, IT WON'T START BACK UP, TURN OVER, OR MAKE A SOUND EXCEPT FOR ALL THE DASH LIGHTS AND NOISES (BEEP BEEP BEEP); HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED-STUCK IN OVERDRIVE; STRONG ROTTEN-EGG ODOR SINCE PURCHASE; SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING; HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED-WHEN YOU STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE AMMETER GOES DOWN-…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 765755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719682 · 2000-03-04 (March 4, 2000)
ENGINE REVS TO 3250 RPM AND IS UNCONTROLLABLE. THAT MEANS THE THING IN 5TH GEAR RACES TO ABOUT 80 MPH! ENGINE WOULD NOT IDEL DOWN REGARDLESS OF INPUTS BY DRIVER. VERY DANGERIOUS. HAPPENED INTERMITTANLY UNTIL WIRING CONNECTION FAILED, AT WHICH TIME DEALER WAS ABLE TO CLEAN CONNECTION. TOOK 5 MONTHS AND MANY TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR CAUSE TO BE IDENTIFIED. DOUBT IF OTHER THAN ROUNTINE DIAGNOSTIC WAS ATTEMPTED AS DEALER WAS UNABLE TO "RECREATE" THE EVENT UNTIL ENGINE WAS 3250 RPM FULLTIME . I FEEL THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONTITION AND SHOULD C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 857117 · 2000-02-17 (February 17, 2000)
STEERING COLUMN CAME OFF AND VEHICLE WENT TO RIGHT, CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS WAS UNSAFE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857117 at NHTSA ↗