2003 Isuzu Rodeo Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Rodeo years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 10th of 11 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo. That ranks 10th out of 11 Rodeo model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (4 complaints, 25%), typically at around 25,871 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 16owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 2complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 25% | 25,871 | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 25% | 88,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 2 | 13% | 44,328 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 13% | 21,674 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 13% | 124,949 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 6% | 7,162 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 6% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 6% | 10,251 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 6% | 42,898 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Isuzu Rodeo recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Suspension:rear
Problem: Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Rodeo and Axiom, and 2003 Rodeo Sport vehicles that were originally sold in, or are currently registered in, 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, Kentucky and Missouri. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion near the forward mounting point bracket for the left or right rear suspension lower link.
Risk: The corrosion may allow the bracket to detach from the frame, impacting vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Isuzu will notify owners, and 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 event the corrosion is so severe that the reinforcement bracket remedy would not be sufficient, Isuzu will offer to repurchase the vehicle for an amount based on the Kelley Blue Book "Private Party" price. 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 dealer within 12 months of when owner notifications were issued, after that time owners will be charged for the repairs. The recall is expected to begin in mid-December 2013. Isuzu owners may contact Isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:brake fluid low warning: lamp
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 101, "controls and displays." the brake warning lamp would not illuminate in the event of decreased brake fluid volume.
Fix: The diodes have been replaced. All vehicles have been repaired.
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.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
This complaint is related to an ongoing investigation regarding fuel tank retention. The fuel tank shield on this vehicle is rotting away due to rust and one of the two fuel tank straps has already broken. There is no accesibility to an oem or aftermarket shield, the part is discontinued and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 isuzu rodeo. The contact stated the frame was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and vin was not available. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 isuzu rodeo. The stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning, causing the contact to crash into a guard rail. There were no injuries. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was advised that…
Frame rust problem identical to the 2002 issue makes the vehicle unsafe to drive. *tr
Severe rust and corrosion of frame. 2003 isuzu rodeo. *tr
Other Isuzu Rodeo years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Rodeo | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 Rodeo | 39 | 2 |
| 2003 | 16 | 3 |
| 2002 Rodeo | 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 2003 Isuzu Rodeo?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, structure, power train problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 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 2003 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.