2001 Isuzu Rodeo Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 30, 2020 · 389 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Rodeo years
Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 11 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 389 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo. That ranks 3rd out of 11 Rodeo model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (214 complaints, 55%), typically at around 113,500 miles. Complaints mention 18 crashes, 3 fires, 12 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 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.

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Most common 2001 Isuzu Rodeo problems

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

Structure214 · ~113,500 mi
Suspension115 · ~118,450 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling22 · ~53,222 mi
Electrical System20 · ~80,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic20 · ~34,000 mi
Power Train18 · ~69,000 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline16 · ~73,000 mi
Tires11 · ~96,183 mi
Unknown or Other9 · ~100,500 mi
Vehicle Speed Control9 · ~43,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Structure problems21455%113,500“frame rusted” (19%)—
Suspension problems11530%118,450“suspension rear” (21%)—
Engine and Engine Cooling226%53,222——
Electrical System205%80,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic205%34,000——
Power Train185%69,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline164%73,000——
Tires113%96,183——
Unknown or Other92%100,500——
Vehicle Speed Control92%43,000——
Fuel System, Other82%72,000——
Steering82%135,000——
Air Bags72%97,000——
Engine51%192,000——
Equipment51%67,500——
Fuel/propulsion System51%105,500——
Seat Belts21%———
Service Brakes21%120,000——
Wheels21%57,000——
Child Seat10%———
Electronic Stability Control (esc)10%80,000——
Exterior Lighting10%100,000——
Latches/locks/linkages10%———
Service Brakes, Air10%———
Visibility10%105,000——
Visibility/wiper10%———

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2010, with 114 complaints
2001: 162001162002: 12122003: 122003122004: 11112005: 152005152006: 882007: 6200762008: 15152009: 352009352010: 1141142011: 792011792012: 15152013: 142013142014: 11112015: 112015112016: 552017: 4201742018: 222019: 2201922020: 22

n = 389 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2001 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.

Air bags:frontalAug 9, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V213000 · 15 vehicles

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the passenger-side air bag inflator modules were manufactured and shipped without a necessary component known as a check valve pin.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the air bag will not inflate properly or sufficiently resulting in an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant.

Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bag. Owner notification is expected to begin during august or september 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact isuzu at 1-800-643-4070.

Air bags:frontalFeb 22, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V055000 · 3 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles were built with the inflators in the passenger side air bag modules having the wrong amount of generant.

Risk: In the event of a crash that would trigger a passenger air bag deployment, too much generant can cause the inflator module to explode. If the air bag module explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupants.

Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bag unit.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsOct 5, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V298000 · 3,052 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. During the manufacture of certain fuel return hoses, incorrect rubber material for the outer layer was used.

Risk: The fuel return hose does not meet ozone-resistant specifications, and could ultimately crack, causing fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle to determine if the vehicle was equipped with an incorrect hose. If it is incorrect, dealers will replace it.

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

  • Fuel Tank Retention Failure (DP18001) — opened May 23, 2018, closed Mar 5, 2020.
  • 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.

Recent owner reports

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

Airbag light is on and off . Went for inspection twice paid $99 dollars for the place to fix for inspection and light is back on again. He said the air bag may need to be replaced

Air Bags · received Oct 30, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11372430

Fuel delivery went out killing vehicle. Frame completely rusted rear links completely gone. Engine randomly loses power. While traveling to work vehicle began to sway, started ticking then engine shut off. Won't start. Battery tests good alternator just replaced a week ago. 2001 3.2l rodeo

Engine · received Jan 29, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11302942

While driving to work, vehicle started swaying in the back like it was hydroplaning. Same thing happened on way home. Didn't drive it during the next two days, same thing happened the next time. On fourth day, i noticed a bracket had come apart from the rusted frame. Car was bought in 2018, and am…

Suspension · received Dec 20, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11290311

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 isuzu rodeo. While the vehicle was undergoing routine service, the contact noticed that the rear frame was rusted. The manufacturer was contacted and kept referring the contact to dealers that no longer serviced isuzu vehicles. The manufacturer provided a case number…

Structure · received May 8, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11206235

2004 isuzu rodeo. Consumer writes in regards to the shield that covers the plastic gas tank being rotted through. *ld *js *js the consumer referenced recall 13v-547. The consumer requested to have the recall repair completed.*js *js

Fuel System, Gasoline · received May 9, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11091788

Other Isuzu Rodeo years

← 2000 Rodeo · 2002 Rodeo →

See all Isuzu Rodeo problems by year, every Isuzu model, or the VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo?

Owners most often report structure, suspension, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 214 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo?

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

Was the 2001 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 2001 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.