2003 Isuzu RODEO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
37,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 16 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 18.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 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 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 2 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 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 4; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10019829 · 2004-02-02 (February 2, 2004)
2003 ISUZU RODEO 2WD- CHRONIC INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS W/IGNITION STICKING IN ON POSITION ON COLD START AND ENGINE REVVING HIGH AND HANGING HIGH 1700-2000 RPM'S, WITH COOLER DAMPER WEATHER, INTERMITTENT AND MORE FREQUENT IGNITION STICKING PROBLEMS GRADUATING TO IGNITION LOCK UP AFTER ENGINE STARTED: IGNITION LOCKS, CAN'T SHUT DOWN AND ENGINE CONTINUES TO REV AT HIGH RPM'S 2000-2200, UNANTICIPATED ENGINE POWER AND PROPULSION. 1/27/04, COLD START LATE AM, IGNITION STICKING IN ON POSITION, ENGINE REVVING HIGH, THEN DROPS SLOWLY, DROVE 45 MINS, PARK…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,162 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044829 · 2003-10-27 (October 27, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, INTERMITTENTLY CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND FELT A THUMPING SENSATION IN THE PEDAL. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE BRAKES NO LONGER WORKED PROPERLY. THE LAST TIME THE BRAKES FAILED VEHICLE HAD TO RIDE ON THE SHOULDER TO AVOID A COLLISION. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060163 · 2004-03-02 (March 2, 2004)
THE RODEO WAS THREE MONTHS OLD WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE GAS MILEAGE WAS DECREASING AT AN ALARMING RATE. (LESS THAN 12 MILES PER GALLON) UPON TAKING THE RODEO TO THE SHOP I WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD A SEAL ON THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS LEAKING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO WORK HARDER, BURNING MORE GAS. ( I SAW NO OIL) THE SEAL WAS REPLACED BUT THE LEAK CONTINUED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT IT WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS OLDER I WOULD HAVE DISMISSED THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO AGE. SINCE IT IS SO NEW I WONDERED IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER R…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,703 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060163 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10513007 · 2013-05-21 (May 21, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ISUZU RODEO. THE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRAME RAIL WAS ROTTEN AND CAUSED THE AXLE TO DETACH FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10513007 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138113 · 2005-09-29 (September 29, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT'S MOTHER HAD BOUGHT A CAR ON 9-23-05, AND SHE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF PROBLEMS. THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND SQUEALING. THE ALIGNMENT WAS SEVERELY OFF, AND THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OUT OF CENTER. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT ANY SPEED THE FRONT WHEELS STOPPED, AND IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS HITTING THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK IT AND FIXED NINE THINGS REGARDING THE WHEELS, THE BRAKES AND OTHER THINGS. SHE WAS NOT SURE EXACTLY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE MOTION IN …
Owner-reported narrative. 42,898 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11138931 · 2018-10-07 (October 7, 2018)
THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION REGARDING FUEL TANK RETENTION. THE FUEL TANK SHIELD ON THIS VEHICLE IS ROTTING AWAY DUE TO RUST AND ONE OF THE TWO FUEL TANK STRAPS HAS ALREADY BROKEN. THERE IS NO ACCESIBILITY TO AN OEM OR AFTERMARKET SHIELD, THE PART IS DISCONTINUED AND AFTERMARKET COMPANIES DO NOT PRODUCE IT AS FAR AS I CAN FIND. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND IT WOULD BE SERIOUSLY EXPENSIVE TO GET A NEW SHIELD MANUFACTURED BY A MACHINE SHOP. DUE TO A LACK OF RODEO'S ON THE ROAD, THERE ARE NO VIABLE OPTIONS I'VE FO…
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11138931 at NHTSA ↗