1998 Isuzu Rodeo

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Isuzu Rodeo
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Isuzu Rodeo Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1990: 0 complaints 1990 1991: 42 complaints 1992: 80 complaints 1992 1993: 34 complaints 1994: 82 complaints 1994 1995: 176 complaints 1996: 97 complaints 1996 1997: 118 complaints 1998: 478 complaints 1998 1999: 550 complaints 2000: 274 complaints 2000 2001: 389 complaints 2002: 101 complaints 2002 2003: 16 complaints 2004: 39 complaints 2004 2008: 1 complaints 2008
1998: 478 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19900
199142
199280
199334
199482
1995176
199697
1997118
1998478
1999550
2000274
2001389
2002101
200316
200439
20081

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 33%

33% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 159 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ABS LIGHT CAME ON, DRIVING 35 MPH COULD NOT STOP SUDDENLY AND SLID INTO ANOTHER CAR CAUSING $2700 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND INSURANCE HAD LAPSED HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. FUEL GAUGE ALWAYS SHOWS LESS THAN REALLY IS EVEN WHEN FULL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021101

WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN. HEARD GRINDING NOISES. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. BEEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES OR MORE FOR BRAKE PROBLEM. HAS SQUEALING IN ROTORS. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19981203

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19981119

STRUCTURE 9%

9% of complaints: structure — 43 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SUSPENSION 6%

6% of complaints: suspension — 31 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

RUSTED SUSPENSION. BROKE OFF FROM FRAME

NHTSA ODI report, 20190215

FRAME RUSTED CAUSING REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FALL OFF ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT VEHICLE PURCHASED 8/22/11 WANT TO KNOW WHY THESE VEWHICLES ARE STILL BE ALLOWED TO BE SOLD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120409

OCTOBER 17, 2011, I TOOK MY RODEO TO, HAVE IT SERVICED FOR THE SUSPENSION:REAR RECALL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120404

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4%

4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 17 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19971118 — unknown or other

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER'S SIDE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT RUBBER FLOOR MAT. REPEATED MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVER'S FEET AND ACTUATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Remedy: ISUZU IS ASKING FOR THE RETURN OF THE FLOOR MAT SET AND WILL REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THE COST OF THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT SET ALONG WITH ANY RETURN SHIPPING COSTS.

Campaign 97V206001 — check if this car was fixed

1998 — complaint volume: 478
R 19980824 — electrical system

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. A GROUND CONNECTION TERMINAL WAS NOT PROPERLY CRIMPED IN THE SUPPLIER'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MANUFACTURING LINE. THIS IMPROPER CRIMPING PROCESS CAN LEA

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.

Campaign 98V170000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19980923 — PE (closed 19990331)

BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS

I 19981009 — PE (closed 19990218)

BROKEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL

I 19990331 — EA (closed 20020731)

BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS

R 20000331 — suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. PAINT WAS APPLIED UNEVENLY ON THE REAR AXLES, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT PAINT HARDNESS. SHOULD THIS OCCUR ON THE SURFACE THAT CONTACTS THE REAR AXLE LOW

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK JOINT NUT AND BOLT.

Campaign 00V058000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010622 — engine and engine cooling

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1998-2000 RODEO (UE) AND AMIGO (UA) MODELS E

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF THE TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TIMING BELT. DEPENDING ON THE CONDITION OR MODEL OF THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER

Campaign 01I002000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030714 — service brakes, hydraulic

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), THE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES IN CERTAIN TYPES OF BRAKING EVENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT COMPUTER ALGORITHM FOR THE ABS THAT IS BASED ON THE ALGORITHM USED IN ISUZU'S MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES, WHICH HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM. THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONDU

Campaign 02I002000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090616 — PE (closed 20091208)

REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK FAILURE

I 20091207 — EA (closed 20101015)

Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment

R 20101210 — suspension

ISUZU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2002 ISUZU RODEO AND MODEL YEAR 2002 ISUZU AXIOM VEHICLES, AND HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1998-2002 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES, THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR AR

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AREA. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH LITTLE OR NO CORROSION IS FOUND, THE AREA WILL BE TREATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE COMPOUND. FOR VEHICLES IN WHI

Campaign 10V436000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Isuzu Rodeo — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (159 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (43 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (31 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V206001 (unknown or other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V170000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V058000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01I002000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02I002000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V436000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1993 ▲ 2004 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2001 ■ 2000

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.