1998 Isuzu RODEO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
349 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 148 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 107 of 349 complaints (30.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 151 | 43.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 10 | 2.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 2.6% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 2.6% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 2.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 107 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 43 |
| Suspension | 27 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 16 |
| Suspension:Rear | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 10 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 107; Structure:Frame And Members: 43; Suspension: 27; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 16; Suspension:Rear: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 13; Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 26 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 29 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 51 |
| 150,000 and above | 24 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 26; 75,000 to 99,999: 29; 100,000 to 149,999: 51; 150,000 and above: 24
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (51). 201 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 | 65 |
| 2001 | 29 |
| 2002 | 25 |
| 2003 | 80 |
| 2004 | 39 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 32 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2000: 65; 2001: 29; 2002: 25; 2003: 80; 2004: 39; 2005: 8; 2006: 3; 2007: 6; 2008: 4; 2009: 5; 2010: 32; 2011: 24; 2012: 11; 2013: 6; 2014: 5; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 151 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 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 10002778 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS ACTIVATES ON DRY PAVEMENT DURING NORMAL BRAKING, UNABLE TO SAFELY STOP VEHICLE. DEALER REPORTS ABS MODULE REPLACED IN JUNE 1998 BUT PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED. ALSO, ABS WARNING SYSTEM LIGHT STAYS ON INTERMITENTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002778 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006636 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
IF I AM DECELERATING AND THE FRONT TIRES HIT A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROADWAY, I LOSE THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS AN ABS ACTIVATION, HOWEVER, I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL ABS OPERATION. WHEN I REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE, I WAS DECELERATING AND ROLLED OVER A DEPRESSED MANHOLE IN THE ROADWAY CAUSING THE BRAKING FAILURE. I CAN REPRODUCE THE FAILURE ANYTIME. I HAVE HAD ISUZU DEALERS TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE, AND THEY TELL ME THIS IS NORMAL ABS ACTIVATION. I HAVE DRIVER FOUR-WHEEL ANTI-LOCK BREAK VEHICLE'S AND HAVE NEVER EX…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,882 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006636 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025217 · 2003-07-01 (July 1, 2003)
I HAVE CONTINUALLY REPLACED MAJOR PARTS ON MY VEHICLE SINCE OWNING IT. FROM THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION, FUEL PUMP, ETC.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093046 · 2004-09-22 (September 22, 2004)
FAILURE OF ABS BRAKE SYSTEM, EVEN THOUGH DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM VIA RECALL; FUEL LEAK AT HOSE AND FUEL PUMP CONNECTION; FAILURE OF FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL GAUGE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093046 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039376 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CRACKED OUTPUT SHAFT FROM TRANSMISSION. REPLACED WITH A NEW 2 PIECE TRANSMISSION SHAFT. HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH ISUZU KNOWS ABOUT THIS, HENCE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE NEW 2 PIECE SHAFT, I HAD TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS MYSELF, OVER 2000 DOLLARS
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039376 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098497 · 2004-11-08 (November 8, 2004)
(1) FUEL GAUGE FAILED. I NOTE THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR OF SIMILAR YEAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. (2) STALLED IN MIDDLE OF FREEWAY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED CRASH WITH CARS TRAVELING IN ADJOINING LANES AT 65 MPH. *AK (3) REPLACED FUEL PUMP AT $500+ WITH NO RESOLUTION OF PROBLEM. THE FUEL GUAGE STILL DOES NOT WORK, AND CAR STALLED AGAIN ON FREEWAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098497 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146349 · 2005-12-29 (December 29, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED H VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND AFTER IT STALLED. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE LESS THAN TWELVE HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID RESPOND. THE POLICE REPORT INDICATED THE FIRE WAS OF AN ELECTRICAL NATURE. *AK UPDATED 02/24/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 98,651 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025652 · 2003-07-08 (July 8, 2003)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED IN FRONT OF OWNER'S HOME - IN FIRST GEAR WITH PARKING BREAK ENGAGED AND WHEELS TURNED TOWARD THE ROAD. THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND, ALTHOUGH PARKING BREAK WAS APPLIED, VEHICLE'S WHEELS WERE ROTATING, AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS "DRIVING ITSELF". VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED 6+ FEET IN FRONT OF IT. WHEN IT HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE IT PUSHED AND HELD THE VEHICLE'S FRAME ABOUT 3 INCHES FORWARD. THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND CONTINUED CLICKING. FIRE AND POLICE WERE CALLED. WHEN FI…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024286 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING LOST STEERING CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088253 · 2004-08-20 (August 20, 2004)
MORE AND MORE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL THEN STARTED TO MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNINING SLIGHTLY, FOUND A LOOSE BOLT ON STEERING SHAFT "KNUCKLE" VERY DANGEROUS AND ISUZU SHOULD HAVE A MORE SAFE WAY OF SECURING THIS. THIS SHOULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 98,580 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088253 at NHTSA ↗