RoadVitals

1998 Isuzu Rodeo Sport

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Jul 31, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo Sport, most frequently naming the suspension, brakes and body & structure categories. 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 17 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Suspension325.0%
  • Brakes216.7%
  • Body & structure216.7%
  • Other / unspecified18.3%
  • Steering18.3%
  • Tires & wheels18.3%
  • Engine18.3%
  • Fuel system18.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE09030ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK FAILURE

Opened Jun 16, 2009
Closed Dec 8, 2009

DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE09-030, ISUZU MOTORS AMERICA, INC (ISUZU) NOTED TWO PRIMARY DIFFERENCES ONCE THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK SEPARATION OCCURS BETWEEN THE ALLEGED DEFECT (SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE FRAME) OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND A SAFETY DEFECT INVOLVING LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE REAR AXLE ADDRESSED BY ISUZU IN SAFETY RECALL 00V-058.IN THE CASE OF THE DEFECT CONDITION IDENTIFIED IN RECALL 00V-058, ISUZU STATED THAT THE ATTACHMENT BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE POSSIBLY CREATING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ISUZU ALSO STATED THAT THIS CONDITION OCCURS EARLY IN THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.IN THIS INVESTIGATION ISUZU NOTED LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME IS A PROGRESSIVE CORROSION ISSUE WITH PRIOR WARNING TO CONSUMERS.ISUZU ALSO STATED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME, THE VEHICLE IS STILL CONTROLLABLE AND CAN BE SAFELY STOPPED. THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) ANALYZED COMPLAINT DATA PROVIDED BY ISUZU AND AMERICA HONDA MOTOR COMPANY, INC (HONDA), AS WELL AS VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRES SUBMITTED TO ODI FROM CONSUMERS.IN TOTAL, THERE WERE 60 UNIQUE REPORTS OF LOWER LINK SEPARATIONS FROM THE FRAME INCLUDING 1 ALLEGED CRASH AND 7 LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCIDENTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THESE COMPLAINTS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE LINK SEPARATION.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-018) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

SUSPENSIONLed to recall 10V436000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 31, 2017

I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2.5 YEARS. ON JULY 1, 2017, I WAS TURNING LEFT IN A 30 MPH ZONE OF HIGHWAY 52 IN TN, AND HEARD A CRACK AND WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE 'THUMP' WHEN RUNNING OVER SOMETHING. I CAREFULLY GUIDED THE CAR TO THE R OADSIDE, PARKED, AND INSPECTED THE ROIAD BEHIND ME, ALL TIRES, AND CRAWLED BENEATH TO INSPECT.I COULD FIND NOTHING, SO PROCEEDED WITH CAUTION, ONLY TO PULL OVER AGAIN TWICE WITNIN BUSINESS PARKING LOTS TRYING TO PINPOINT WHERE THE ISSUE WAS CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. AFTER NOT SEEING ANYTHING STILL, I TURNED RIGHT ONTO HWY 52 HEADING EAST; WITHIN 500 FT , IN. THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH CROSS TRAFFIC DOING 45MPH MIN. ,TN HWY 109, I LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL, AND COULD NOT BRAKE AS I DRIFTED THRU A YELLOW SIGNAL LYING ON THE HORN AND THROWING MY HAZARDS ON. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT INTO THE MARCO LOT AND PARK AWAY FROM EVERYONE BY COASTING TO AN ALMOST STOP AND USING THE PARKING BRAKE. I HAD JUST HAD 5 NEW TIRES PUT ON THE SUV IN JUNE 2017, AND THERE WAS NOTHING NOTED ABOUT A POSSIBLE DEADLY FRAME ISSUE. I TOWER THE ISUZU TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP, KNOWING NOTHING ABOUT ANY RECALL ISSUES PRIOR. HE THOUGHT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO FABRICATE SOMETHING TO REPAIR IT. WHEN HE ACTUALLY LNSPECTED, SAID HE DOESN'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO REPAIR THE FRAMEWORK BECAUSE IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ENTIRELY,NOT SPOT MENDED WITH A PART. THE FRAME IS SO BAD THAT EACH TOUCH BRINGS CHUNKS OF RUSTY METAL FLAKES TO THE GROUND, AND THE RIGHT REAR HAS SEPARATED SO MUCH THE WHOLE VEHICLE LOOKS LIKE AN "S" PARKING BECAUSE IT IS NEAR THE COLLAPSE I AM THANKFUL I WAS NOT ON I65 AS I NORMALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN, IN 70 MPH ZONE, SINCE ID GE DEAD.I HAVE A REAL COMPLAINT THAT I AM BEING TOLD THE RECALL PERIOD IS OVER,AFTER INVESTING 5K BEFORE THE FRAMEWORK DIED.YES IT'S OLD, WITH ONLY150K MILES ON IT THOUGH, & NEVER KNEW OF A RECALL IN 2+YRS. I OWNED THIS ..WHY??

NHTSA ID
11011601
Incident
Jul 1, 2017
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 1, 2012

NOT LONG AGO I LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ISUZU RODEO 1998 TO 2000. SO FAR I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY DEFECTS IN MY CAR, BUT ONLY A MECHANIC CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE. THE CAR THAT I HAVE IS AN ISUZU SPORT RODEO 1998 AND IT FALLS IN THE RECALL. I WONDER HOW SAFE WILL BE TO DRIVE THIS CAR, SINCE I HAVE TO COMMUTE ABOUT 50 MILES EVERY DAY 5 DAYS A WEEK. THE REASON THAT I AM FILLING THIS COMPLAINT IS BECAUSE I READ IN THE INTERNET THAT THERE A LOT NEGLICENCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ISUZU, AND IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF ISUZU'S OWNER IS GOING TO TAKE THIS MATTER TO COURT TO FIGHT BACK. REGIONAL SAFETY RECALL 10V-436. *TR

NHTSA ID
10478027
Incident
Sep 18, 2012
Mileage
170,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 4, 2012

FRAME AND REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH . *JS

NHTSA ID
10464191
Incident
Jul 1, 2009
Mileage
49,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 17, 2007

I HAVE A 1998 ISUZU RODEO AND WAS RECENTLY DRIVING IT AND HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING MADE IT HOME THE TWO BLOCKS AND REALIZED MY ENGINE WAS SHOT BASICALLY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A AUTO MECHANIC AND HE HAS STATED THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF A SAFETY RECALL OR PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND THE WAY THE OIL GETS TO IT NOT GETTING THERE FAST ENOUGH. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS SOME SORT OF A RECALL I JUST BOUGHT THIS LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND CAN NOT AFFORD 7,000 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM CAN YOU HELP?? *TR

NHTSA ID
10209234
Incident
Nov 2, 2007
Mileage
100,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 16, 2006

WHILE DRIVING OUR ISUZU RODEO AT FREEWAY SPEED, OUR REAR PASSENGER TIRE (BRIDGESTONE DUELER 684) STEEL BELT CAME UNRAVELED AND PROCEEDED TO DESTROY OUR REAR LIGHTS, SIDE REAR PANEL AND BUMPER. THE TIRE NEVER LOST PRESSURE, IT SIMPLY CAME UNRAVELED. LUCKILY WE WERE IN THE RIGHT LANE AND WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IF THIS HAD BEEN A FRONT TIRE WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10155430
Incident
Apr 15, 2006
Brakes
Filed Mar 14, 2006

I HAVE A 98 ISUZU RODEO THAT HAD A RECALL DONE IN JANUARY 2004 (ON THE EHCV COIL INTEGRATED MODULE FOR MY ABS) AT BRALEY & GRAHAM IN BEAVERTON, OR. I TOOK CARE OF THIS RE-CALL, EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT HAVING ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT SINCE I HAD RECEIVED THE PAPER WORK ON THIS, I DID THE RESPONSIBLE THING AND HAD IT TAKEN CARE OF. THIS PART, AFTER LESS THAN TWO YEARS, HAS GONE BAD AGAIN AND ISUZU IS TELLING ME THAT THIS IS MY PROBLEM (THE PART IS ONLY GUARANTEED FOR 1 YEAR). THIS IS A PART, THAT I AM BEING TOLD, BY A REPUTABLE MECHANIC, SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN FOR THE LIFE OF THIS CAR. THE ABS IS NOT WORKING AT THIS TIME. AS OF YET THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS (I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY BRAKES HAVE REVERTED BACK TO WHAT REGULAR BRAKES ARE) BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKING THAT I DID HAVE. I AM BEING TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT I TOOK IT INTO TO RUN THE DIAGNOSTIC, THAT THIS WILL COST ME A HUGE (+$1000) AMOUNT TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE BAD IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS TIME. WHAT CAN I DO? THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I TOOK CARE OF AND IT DIDN'T LAST ANY AMOUNT OF TIME AT ALL. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THIS PART AND THAT ISUZU SHOULD REPLACE THIS SINCE THEY APPARENTLY DID NOT TOTALLY TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE AND REPLACED THE PART WITH ANOTHER FAULTY PIECE. HELP. *NM

NHTSA ID
10152719
Incident
Mar 7, 2006
Fuel system
Filed May 6, 2005

WHEN FILL CAR TO THE MAX WITH GASOLINE AT +2.00/GAL. I'LL DRIVE TO WORK ABOUT DRIVING 60 HIGHWAY MILES, THE GAS GAUGE READS HALF FULLED. IT WILL STAY AT HALF FULL FOR ABOUT ANOTHER 60 MILES THEN GO DOWN AS NORMAL. I MENTION THIS TO AUTO REPAIR GUYS AND THE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. SO IT MUST BE A MANUFACTURER MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ID
10120088
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Dec 4, 2004

I GOT TWO RECALLS ON MY 1998 ISUZU RODEO AND WHEN I WENT TO TAKE IT TO GET IT REPAIR EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND AFTER I TOOK IT IN IT SEEMS LIKE WHAT THEY WORKED ON GOT WORST. THEY WORKED ON REWIRING THE REAR DEFROSTER AND AFTER THAT IT HASN'T WORK SINCE ALSO THEY DID SOMETHING TO THE ABS AND NOW THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. THE SAD PART TO THIS IS THAT I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT DID THE WORK ON IT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT NIETHER HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALLS THAT THEY HAD WORKED ON BUT THOSE WERE THE RECALLS I HAVE THE PAPER WORK THAT THEY GAVE ME THERE WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I TOOK IT TO IS IN CLOVIS CALIFORNIA. *AK

NHTSA ID
10102124
Incident
Oct 1, 2003

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

IB13-R-001G

This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The Exchange Program must be used when any Alpine radio or other component covered by this bulletin is repaired under warranty and may also be used for radio and component repairs not covered under warranty. Contact Alpine directly for pricing and payment methods applicable to radio and component repairs not covered under warranty.

WB13-X-001B

EQUIPMENT

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts Warranty claim payments and/or claim chargeback. This bulletin was revised to add a Parts Warranty Form

WB13-X-001A

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts Warranty claim payments and/or claim chargeback.

IB09-X-002B

EQUIPMENT

The following is a list of the Isuzu-recommended Threebond product part numbers identified in the various Isuzu Workshop Manuals and bulletins. If a Threebond product is unavailable, we recommend that you utilize the chart below to find equivalent of similar products (when available) from Loctite and Permatex.

IB09-X-004C

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

The Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) Service Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides diagnostic support to Isuzu dealer technicians repairing Isuzu vehicles in and out of vehicle warranty. A TAC case number will be issued solely for information tracking purposes and future contact reference.

0709002

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR

REAR BRAKE ROTORS. *KB

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Isuzu Rodeo Sport by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003120
2002232150.3
2001491144.7
2000120131.2
1999140142.6
1998Viewing801

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.