1998 Isuzu Rodeo
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 44 |
| 1992 | 81 |
| 1993 | 34 |
| 1994 | 90 |
| 1995 | 177 |
| 1996 | 97 |
| 1997 | 118 |
| 1998 | 478 |
| 1999 | 550 |
| 2000 | 274 |
| 2001 | 389 |
| 2002 | 101 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 39 |
| 2008 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
50% of complaints: service brakes — 240 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
4S2CM58W0W4[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
NHTSA ODI report, 20190722
14% of complaints: structure — 69 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and underbody shields.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
OCTOBER 17, 2011, I TOOK MY RODEO TO, HAVE IT SERVICED FOR THE SUSPENSION:REAR RECALL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120404
Also filed under SUSPENSION
13% of complaints: suspension — 60 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and front.
CRASHShow 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
9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 42 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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
Also filed under FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
6% of complaints: electrical system — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and horn.
CRASH FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS
BROKEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL
BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS
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
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
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
REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK FAILURE
Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment
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 issues (240 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (69 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (60 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
WORST YEARS
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, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.