2002 Isuzu Rodeo Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 13, 2026 · 101 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Rodeo years
Fewer complaints than other years 7th of 11 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. That ranks 7th out of 11 Rodeo model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (22 complaints, 22%), typically at around 100,000 miles. Complaints mention 8 crashes, 1 fire, 7 injuries. There are 2 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.

Compare with another car

Most common 2002 Isuzu Rodeo problems

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

Structure22 · ~100,000 mi
Power Train18 · ~55,500 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling16 · ~27,000 mi
Suspension15 · ~114,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic14 · ~27,500 mi
Air Bags6 · ~92,500 mi
Visibility6 · ~30,500 mi
Electrical System4
Fuel System, Gasoline3 · ~89,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2 · ~3,676 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Structure2222%100,000——
Power Train1818%55,500——
Engine and Engine Cooling1616%27,000——
Suspension1515%114,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1414%27,500——
Air Bags66%92,500——
Visibility66%30,500——
Electrical System44%———
Fuel System, Gasoline33%89,000——
Latches/locks/linkages22%3,676——
Service Brakes22%121,500——
Service Brakes, Air22%13,300——
Back Over Prevention11%92,432——
Engine11%110,000——
Equipment11%25,000——
Exterior Lighting11%———
Fuel/propulsion System11%100,000——
Seat Belts11%150,000——
Steering11%———
Tires11%100,235——
Vehicle Speed Control11%30,579——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2003, with 15 complaints
2002: 9200292003: 15152004: 122004122005: 992006: 3200632007: 662008: 5200852010: 772011: 112011112012: 442013: 4201342014: 332015: 2201522016: 332017: 4201742021: 112022: 1202212025: 112026: 120261

n = 101 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2002 Isuzu Rodeo recalls (2)

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.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpOct 7, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V466000 · 15,515 vehicles

Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles that have been exposed to fuel contaminated with silicon may develop small pin holes in the fuel pump feed port. Silicon has been identified in the fuel systems of affected vehicles and in certain fuel available in the region of tyler, texas. This recall will be launched for vehicles registered in texas and the four surrounding states: oklahoma, arkansas, new mexico and louisiana.

Risk: A fuel leak could lead to a vehicle fire.

Fix: For vehicles registered in the states identified above, dealers will provide a new cover over the existing feed port on the fuel pump or, if the existing feed port has already been damaged, dealers will install a new fuel pump that is equipped with the new cover. The new cover will be made of a different material. The recall began on november 25, 2005. Owners may contact isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.

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.

The contact owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact recently became aware of severe corrosion on the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V436000 (Suspension) approximately 10 years ago. The contact believed that the recall repair should…

Structure · received Mar 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11724093

The contact owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that as she was coasting to the right to stop on the shoulder, she observed that there was smoke in the cabin. The contact stated that after she stopped, she…

Fuel System, Gasoline · received Sep 16, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11687710

The contact's son owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated while driving downhill at 40 MPH around a curve with a child sitting in the rear seat, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that upon turning the steering wheel, the vehicle…

Suspension · received Oct 5, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11488067

Frame rust condition which makes the SUV un repairable

Structure · received Nov 27, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11441833

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 isuzu rodeo. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, the spare tire detached from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the frame of the vehicle was rusted out. The dealer was not contacted. The…

Structure · received Jul 20, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11006500

Other Isuzu Rodeo years

← 2001 Rodeo · 2003 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 2002 Isuzu Rodeo?

Owners most often report structure, power train, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 22 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo?

Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2002 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 2002 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.