RoadVitals

2002 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.
23
Latest Jan 29, 2018
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.
2
Latest Jun 29, 2012
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport, most frequently naming the suspension, body & structure and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 13 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

  • Body & structure622.2%
  • Engine311.1%
  • Visibility27.4%
  • Electrical27.4%
  • Fuel system13.7%
  • Seat belts13.7%
  • Driver assistance13.7%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION:REAR

Jun 29, 2012
14,756 units potentially affected
The defect: ISUZU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2000 AMIGO AND MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 RODEO SPORT 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. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE VICINITY OF THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT BRACKET FOR THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK.
The 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 INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: 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, 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. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING JULY 2012. ISUZU OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Oct 7, 2005
15,515 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A FUEL LEAK COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: 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.
ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICAView 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

Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jan 29, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. UPON RECEIVING AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLES NEAR THE TRAILING ARMS, CLOSE TO THE FRAME AND IN THE REAR NEAR THE STABILIZER BAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED OR EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V436000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA ID
11065600
Incident
Jan 10, 2018
Mileage
131,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 30, 2016

AT LAST INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THERE IS A LOT OF REAR FRAME RUST ON MY VEHICLE, AND IT MAY NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE AS THE RUST PROGRESSES. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE. I BOUGHT MY 2002 ISUZU IN SEPT. OF 2012. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE, AND I WOULD NEVER SELL IT IN THE CONDITION IT IS, I BELIEVE IT'S NOT SAFE. I NEED A REMEDY FROM ISUZU. NHTSA HAD A CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V306000. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, WITH NO RESULTS YET. MY COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 10898314. I ALSO NOTICED SOME FRAME RUST IN THE FRAME IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA ID
10923668
Incident
Aug 23, 2016
Mileage
124,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 24, 2016

AT LAST INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THERE IS A LOT OF REAR FRAME RUST ON MY VEHICLE, AND IT MAY NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE AS THE RUST PROGRESSES. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE. I BOUGHT MY 2002 ISUZU IN SEPT. OF 2012. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE, AND I WOULD NEVER SELL IT IN THE CONDITION IT IS, I BELIEVE ITS NOT SAFE. I NEED A REMEDY.

NHTSA ID
10898314
Incident
Aug 23, 2016
Mileage
124,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 11, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE WELL RUSTED AND CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO DETACH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10763184
Incident
Aug 31, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Jul 10, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONING UNIT OVERHEATED TO THE POINT THAT IT FRACTURED THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL UNIT AND MELTED THE WIRES. THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE UNIT ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

NHTSA ID
10733228
Incident
Jul 10, 2015
Mileage
158,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 9, 2012

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE SAYING THAT "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 INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH." UPON CHECKING INTO THIS, I FOUND OUT THAT THE CLOSEST ISUZU DEALER TO ME IS 2 HOURS AWAY. IT REALLY AMAZES ME THAT ISUZU WOULD WANT ME TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH A SAFETY RECALL 2 HOURS TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10470040
Incident
Aug 9, 2012
Filed May 16, 2012

ISUZU 2002 RODEO SPORT BRAKING TO STOP AT A STOPLIGHT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TRAILING ARM RIPPED OFF THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE STATION THE WHOLE FRAME WAS BADLY ROTTED. THE SERVICE STATION INFORMED ME THERE MAY BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH AN ISUZU DEALERSHIP AND SUBSEQUENTLY ISUZU OWNER RELATIONS, I WAS TOLD THIS RECALL WAS ONLY FOR THE ISUZU RODEO, NOT THE RODEO SPORT. I BELIEVE THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE RODEO SPORT AS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THIS DEFECT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. I AM CURIOUS IF THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR REPORTS OF THIS DEFECT ON THE RODEO SPORT.

NHTSA ID
10458695
Incident
May 16, 2012
Mileage
100,500 mi
Suspension
Filed May 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION HEARD AS THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL HAD BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE AXLE AND THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

NHTSA ID
10457903
Incident
May 2, 2012
Mileage
166,000 mi

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
2002Viewing232150.3
2001491144.7
2000120131.2
1999140142.6
1998801

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.