2002 Isuzu RODEO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
101 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
85,294 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 66 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 101 complaints (11.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 22.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 14.9% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 10.9% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 12 |
| Suspension | 12 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 9 |
| Structure:Body | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 12; Suspension: 12; Engine And Engine Cooling: 9; Structure:Frame And Members: 9; Structure:Body: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Air Bags: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 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 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 18 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 35 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 15 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2002: 9; 2003: 15; 2004: 12; 2005: 9; 2006: 3; 2007: 6; 2008: 5; 2010: 7; 2011: 11; 2012: 4; 2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2017: 4; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 11 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 10024787 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY.*AK THE PART WAS REPLACED ON 3 OCCASIONS. *TS. ALSO THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT, THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS MISALIGNED, AND THE HOOD LATCH WAS LOOSE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,676 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024787 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025469 · 2003-07-06 (July 6, 2003)
I OWN A 2002 ISUZU RODEO. THE ABS SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED 3 TIMES SO FAR.*AK I TALKED TO A FEW PEOPLE WHO OWN ISUZU RODEO AND THEY ALL HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SO I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM OF THE ISUZU RODEO .WHICH SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED
Owner-reported narrative. 19,797 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067993 · 2004-04-28 (April 28, 2004)
CAR PURCHASED BRAND NEW ON JUNE 28, 2003. MID SEPTEMBER 2003 TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067993 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093689 · 2004-10-06 (October 6, 2004)
I HAVE A 2002 ISUZU RODEO LS WITH A SIX CYLINDER ENGINE AND A 2 WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION IS SEALED AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL REQUIRES SERVICE AT 120,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN THE VEHICLE UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS, AND I HAVE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING BEHIND THE VEHICLE. NONETHELESS, MY TRANSMISSION RECENTLY STARTED TO SHUDDER AND LURCH WHEN THE VEHICLE INITIALLY ACCELERATED FROM LOW TO SECOND GEAR. WHEN THIS PROBLEM BEGAN, THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 55,500. THE PROBLEM GREW PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, AND I TOOK IT FOR SERVICE …
Owner-reported narrative. 55,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056144 · 2004-01-29 (January 29, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT OF NO AVAIL. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10056144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068493 · 2004-05-08 (May 8, 2004)
I DRIVE AN ISUZU RODEO WHICH WAS JUST DIANOSED WITH A SERIOUS MANUFACTURING MALFUNCTION. THE HOUSING WHICH HOLDS ALL THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS IS DAMAGED AND "COULD HAVE SORTED OUT THE SYSTEMS IN MY VEHICLE" AND MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE STALLED OUT. THIS DAMAGE IS SO SERIOUS, I COULD NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE OFF THE LOT. MY CAR IS NOW DOWN 7 -10 DAYS WHILE THIS REPAIR IS MADE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC THAT THIS HAPPENS IN 10% OF THE VEHICLES THAT ARE RETURNED FOR REPAIR. I AM NOW OUT MONEY FOR A RENTAL AND INCONVENIENCED. I THINK …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10068493 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10811033 · 2015-12-17 (December 17, 2015)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 145,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10811033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11488067 · 2022-10-05 (October 5, 2022)
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 th…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,370 miles reported. Look up ODI 11488067 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146959 · 2006-01-05 (January 5, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V466000 REGARDING FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO HAS CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10159442 · 2006-05-30 (May 30, 2006)
2002 RODEO GAS FUEL PUMP IS DEFECTIVE. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10159442 at NHTSA ↗