Isuzu RODEO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2,090 owner complaints analyzed
16 distinct recall campaigns
98,651 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 to 2008 model years. Data snapshot: . 1,061 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 335 of 2,090 complaints (16.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 543 | 26.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 113 | 5.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 85 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 77 | 3.7% |
| Steering behavior | 67 | 3.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 59 | 2.8% |
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 | 335 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 324 |
| Suspension | 174 |
| Suspension:Rear | 140 |
| Structure:Body | 85 |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 84 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 80 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 78 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 335; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 324; Suspension: 174; Suspension:Rear: 140; Structure:Body: 85; Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System: 84; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 80; Vehicle Speed Control: 78
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 78 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 98 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 185 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 174 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 360 |
| 150,000 and above | 166 |
Under 25,000: 78; 25,000 to 49,999: 98; 50,000 to 74,999: 185; 75,000 to 99,999: 174; 100,000 to 149,999: 360; 150,000 and above: 166
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (360). 1,029 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 59 |
| 1996 | 56 |
| 2000 | 207 |
| 2001 | 171 |
| 2002 | 126 |
| 2003 | 279 |
| 2004 | 183 |
| 2005 | 100 |
| 2006 | 57 |
| 2007 | 36 |
| 2008 | 47 |
| 2009 | 66 |
| 2010 | 249 |
| 2011 | 209 |
| 2012 | 66 |
| 2013 | 46 |
| 2014 | 45 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
1995: 59; 1996: 56; 2000: 207; 2001: 171; 2002: 126; 2003: 279; 2004: 183; 2005: 100; 2006: 57; 2007: 36; 2008: 47; 2009: 66; 2010: 249; 2011: 209; 2012: 66; 2013: 46; 2014: 45; 2015: 31; 2016: 17; 2017: 15; 2018: 7; 2019: 7; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 543 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 113 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 85 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 10104917 · 2005-01-02 (January 2, 2005)
AT LEAST SIX (6) TIMES THE ANTI-LOCK AND BRAKE LIGHTS STAYS ON. IT GIVES A FALSE INDICATION THAT THERE IS A BRAKE PROBLEM, WHEN IN FACT THE BRAKES ARE FINE. IN EVERY CASE THE PROBLEM IS THE SPEED SENSOR MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT SHORTED OUT. IT BECOMES A VERY COSTLY BILL TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR EVERY OTHER YEAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10104917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488903 · 1995-10-18 (October 18, 1995)
ABS LIGHT LUMINATES. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10123728 · 2005-06-01 (June 1, 2005)
DT: VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED IN A FIRE. TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, AND DRIVER PULLED OVER AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE HAD A RECALL BUT CALLERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER, BUT CALLER COULDN'T REACH ANYONE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10123728 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487301 · 1995-10-21 (October 21, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FIRE, CAUSING INJURY. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10695235 · 2015-03-18 (March 18, 2015)
THERE IS CONSIDERABLE FRAME ROT/RUST ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FROM WHERE THE FUEL TANK IS HOUSED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 144,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10695235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 565852 · 2002-05-22 (May 22, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE FUEL PUMP BRACKET SHORTING OUT.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 565852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966607 · 1995-06-12 (June 12, 1995)
TRUCK WILL STALL WITH TIME BEING UNPREDICTABLE. ISUZU REPS., AND DEALERS HAVE DRIVEN WITH NO CONCLUSION OF FAILURE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961626 · 1995-03-09 (March 9, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING 30 TO 35MPH VEHICLE STALLS OUT, DUE TO FAULT SPEED SENSOR. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481033 · 1995-02-07 (February 7, 1995)
POWER STEERING SEAL REPAIRED DUE TO LEAK. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978339 · 1996-01-29 (January 29, 1996)
A MALFUNCTION IN THE STEERING BOX CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK UP WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060415 · 2004-03-04 (March 4, 2004)
HELLO MY NAME IS [XXX] I LIVE IN WASHINGTON STATE AND I OWN A 1992 ISUZU RODEO 4X4 WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS ISUZU RODEO HAS GONE THROUGH 4 TRANSMISSIONS IN THE PAST 1 YEAR AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS GOING BAD. I HAVE PUT OVER $3000.00 INTO THIS VEHICLE AND IT STILL IS HAVING PROBLEMS. I HAVE TALKED TO ABOUT 10 PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEMS HERE IN THE OLYMPIA AREA. THE COTTMAN TRANSMISSION COMPANY GAVE ME A WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME IT IS SOMETHING ELSE BESIDES THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 147,534 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 873102 · 2000-10-16 (October 16, 2000)
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD . FIRE WAS CAUSED BY WIRING HARNESS. ALSO, A MECHANIC INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND FOUND THATTRANSMISSION HAD A LEAK OVER EXHAUST IN JULY THAT CAUSED A FIRE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS WORN OUT AND CAUSED THE FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 873102 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 4 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2008 | 0 |
1992: 0; 1993: 1; 1994: 4; 1995: 1; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 4; 1999: 3; 2000: 3; 2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2008: 0