1998 Isuzu Rodeo Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 22, 2019 · 478 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Rodeo years
Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 11 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 478 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. That ranks 2nd out of 11 Rodeo model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (211 complaints, 44%), typically at around 76,161 miles. Complaints mention 81 crashes, 2 fires, 31 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations involving it.

Isuzu Rodeo
2003-2004 Isuzu Rodeo photographed in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 1998 Isuzu Rodeo problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic211 · ~76,161 mi
Structure69 · ~127,000 mi
Suspension59 · ~145,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling39 · ~80,000 mi
Electrical System30 · ~93,326 mi
Vehicle Speed Control29 · ~58,000 mi
Power Train22 · ~94,710 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline17 · ~84,000 mi
Air Bags16 · ~107,326 mi
Fuel System, Other15 · ~60,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems21144%76,161“abs brakes” (10%)—
Structure problems6914%127,000“frame rusted” (22%)—
Suspension problems5912%145,000“suspension rear” (19%)—
Engine and Engine Cooling398%80,000——
Electrical System306%93,326——
Vehicle Speed Control296%58,000——
Power Train225%94,710——
Fuel System, Gasoline174%84,000——
Air Bags163%107,326——
Fuel System, Other153%60,000——
Steering133%98,580——
Unknown or Other133%———
Wheels123%55,000——
Equipment92%85,000——
Service Brakes, Air92%3,000——
Visibility92%46,250——
Latches/locks/linkages61%111,500——
Tires61%65,000——
Seat Belts41%46,000——
Exterior Lighting20%———
Fuel/propulsion System20%140,195——
Service Brakes20%———
Parking Brake10%———
Trailer Hitches10%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 1999, with 83 complaints
1998: 461998461999: 83832000: 652000652001: 29292002: 252002252003: 80802004: 392004392005: 882006: 3200632007: 662008: 4200842009: 552010: 322010322011: 24242012: 112012112013: 662014: 5201452015: 332016: 2201622019: 22

n = 478 complaints · Source: NHTSA

1998 Isuzu Rodeo recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Suspension:rearSep 22, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V436000 · 149,992 vehicles

Problem: 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 are currently registered, in the states of maine, new hampshire, vermont, massachusetts, rhode island, connecticut, new york, new jersey, pennsylvania, delaware, maryland, the district of columbia, west virginia, ohio, indiana, michigan, illinois, wisconsin, minnesota, iowa, missouri, and kentucky. Vehicles that have experienced sustained exposure to highly corrosive materials used in some jurisdictions for road deicing purposes may experience excessive corrosion in the vicinity of the forward mounting point bracket for the left or right rear suspension lower link prior to the time that such corrosion would normally be expected.

Risk: Excessive corrosion may result in the left or right rear suspension lower link bracket becoming detached from the frame, which can affect vehicle handling and potentially cause a crash.

Fix: 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 which corrosion has damaged the rear suspension lower link bracket and affected its connection to the vehicle frame, a reinforcement bracket will be installed. In the rare event the corrosion is so severe that the reinforcement bracket remedy would not be appropriate, a repurchase offer will be extended to the vehicle's owner. All inspections and remedies will be provided free of charge for vehicles that are 10 years old or less. For vehicles older than 10 years, isuzu will offer a free remedy, but only if the vehicle is presented to an isuzu service facility, or honda dealer (as applicable), dealer within 12 months of when owner notifications were issued. The safety recall began on december 10, 2010. Isuzu owners may contact isuzu at 1-800-255-6727. Honda owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Suspension:rearMar 2, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V058000 · 213,736 vehicles

Problem: 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 lower link bracket bolt head and/or nut, the nut may loosen.

Risk: The bolt could detach fully, causing separation of the lower link from the rear axle, increasing the risk of loss of vehicle control.

Fix: Dealers will replace the rear axle lower link joint nut and bolt.

Electrical system:wiring:front underhoodJul 24, 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V170000 · 55,475 vehicles

Problem: 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 leave an impression on the terminal that will eventually cause a stress fracture. S

Risk: If a terminal is fractured, the powertrain control module (pcm) can receive an erroneous signal indicating a high vehicle speed, thereby causing the pcm to cut the fuel, causing a 'no-start' condition, or a possible engine stall.

Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these vehicles.

Unknown or otherNov 13, 1997 · NHTSA campaign 97V206001 · 233 vehicles

Problem: 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 can result in a shifting of the mat's position. This shifting can cause an interference with the accelerator pedal.

Risk: This could cause a restriction of the pedal's return to the idle position, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment (EA09018) — opened Dec 7, 2009, closed Oct 15, 2010, led to recall 10V436000.
  • Rear suspension lower link failure (PE09030) — opened Jun 16, 2009, closed Dec 8, 2009, led to recall 10V436000.
  • Braking system/abs (EA99008) — opened Mar 31, 1999, closed Jul 31, 2002, led to recall 02I002000.
  • Broken accelerator pedal (PE98054) — opened Oct 9, 1998, closed Feb 18, 1999.
  • Braking system/abs (PE98051) — opened Sep 23, 1998, closed Mar 31, 1999.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

[redacted][XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

Service Brakes · received Jul 22, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11233897

Rusted suspension. Broke off from frame

Suspension · received Feb 15, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11180206

Sudden uncontrolled acceleration at stop or moving slow in town. Extreme danger !!and has happened several times.

Fuel/propulsion System · received Mar 3, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10839623

My air bag light will not go off...had codes checked and cleared but the light come back on....brakes has been replaced...but breaking distance is extended

Service Brakes · received Feb 24, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10838076

Driving on highway hit a pothole and heard a loud thump from rear passenger side of vehicle. I didn't think much of it till the next day when i drove to work. It seemed every bump i got the same noise. Got to work,looked under car, all seemed fine. Just happened to look in rear cargo are and saw…

Structure · received Dec 18, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10811206

Other Isuzu Rodeo years

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Frequently asked questions

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

Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, structure, suspension problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 211 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Rodeo model years, the 1998 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.