2002 Isuzu Rodeo Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Rodeo years
- Fewer complaints than other years 7th of 11 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- 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.

- 101owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 8complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2002 Isuzu Rodeo problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 22 | 22% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 18 | 18% | 55,500 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 16 | 16% | 27,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 15 | 15% | 114,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 14 | 14% | 27,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 6 | 6% | 92,500 | — | — |
| Visibility | 6 | 6% | 30,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 4 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 3% | 89,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2% | 3,676 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 2% | 121,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 2% | 13,300 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1% | 92,432 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 1% | 110,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | 25,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 1% | 100,235 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1% | 30,579 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2002 Isuzu Rodeo recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Suspension:rear
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 pump
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…
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…
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…
Frame rust condition which makes the SUV un repairable
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…
Other Isuzu Rodeo years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Rodeo | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 Rodeo | 39 | 2 |
| 2003 Rodeo | 16 | 3 |
| 2002 | 101 | 2 |
| 2001 Rodeo | 389 | 4 |
| 2000 Rodeo | 274 | 3 |
| 1999 Rodeo | 550 | 3 |
| 1998 Rodeo | 478 | 4 |
| 1997 Rodeo | 118 | 0 |
| 1996 Rodeo | 97 | 0 |
| 1995 Rodeo | 176 | 1 |
See all Isuzu Rodeo problems by year, every Isuzu model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Isuzu models
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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.