RoadVitals

1996 Isuzu Rodeo

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.
97
Latest Jun 18, 2019
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.
1
Latest Jul 17, 2006
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.
0
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.
19
12 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 97 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Isuzu Rodeo, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, engine and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 19 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

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

1 campaign 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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Jul 17, 2006
3,593 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
AJ MOTORSPORTView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 18, 2019

TAKATA RECALL INESPERADAMENTE SE ACTIVO LA BOLSA DE AIRE DEL CHOFER QUEMANDO LOS BRAZOS Y LA BARRIGA DE MI ESPOSA , ELLA SINTIO UN OLOR FUERTE A CABLE QUEMADO PENSO QUE VENIA DEL EXTERIOR Y SACO SU CARA HACIA FUERA , Y CASI EN EL INSTANTA EXPLOTO LA SBOLSA YO SALI CORRIENDO Y LA VI LLENA DE UN POLVO BLANCO Y SUS BRAZOS QUEMADOS ,DAMOS GRACIAS A DIOS QUE TENIA LA CARA POR LA VENTANA , DE LO CONTRARIO LE HUVIESE QUEMADO EL REOSTRO ,EL VEHICULO ESTABA PARADO DESPUES DE DAR RIVERSA

NHTSA ID
11221004
Incident
Jun 15, 2019
Body & structureSuspension
Filed May 27, 2014

THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE IS RUSTED EXCESSIVELY AND IS DEEMED BY QUALIFIED MECHANICS AS NOT ROADWORTHY. ALL OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE WORK PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE STILL LOOKS GREAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10594406
Incident
May 26, 2014
Mileage
153,213 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 6, 2012

EFFECTIVE PART: THE 2 MAIN FRAMES ARE RUST OUT AND COULD BREAK AT ANYTIME. WE BELIEVE ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE FRAMES ARE DETERIORATING IS FROM SALT DURING THE WINTER. DO TO THE COMPANY BAD FRAMING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10460852
Incident
Jun 5, 2012
Mileage
166,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 2, 2011

THE FRAME OF MY 1996 ISUZU RODEO IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WHEN SEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY LARGE ISSUE THAT ISUZU IS HAVING. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER TESTIMONIALS STATING THAT THEIR ISUZU RODEO'S FRAME IS RUSTED AWAY, AND THEY HAVE LESS THEN 100,000 MILES ON IT. MY RODEO HAS 110,000 MILES, BUT HAS PROBABLY BEEN RUSTED OUT SOME TIME AGO. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON THAT A FRAME TO ANY MANUFACTURED VEHICLE SHOULD BE RUSTED OUT AROUND 100,000 MILES. MANY, MANY OTHER COMPONENTS TO THE CAR SHOULD BE GOING BAD WELL BEFORE THE FRAME ROTS OUT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER CARS IN THE WORLD THAT ARE LITERALLY DECADES OLDER, AND DO NOT SHOW NEARLY AS MUCH FRAME RUST. ISUZU USED VERY LOW QUALITY, NON-RESISTANT METAL TO MAKE THE FRAME, AND IT HAS ALREADY INJURED/KILLED MANY PEOPLE. ISUZU RECOGNIZED THERE PROBLEM, AND MADE A RECALL ON THE RODEO'S FOR YEARS 1998-2002. THE SAME MATERIAL WAS USED IN ALL RODEO'S SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE 1998, HOWEVER, THEY LIMITED THERE RECALL TO ONLY 5 YEARS TO CUT DOWN EXPOSURE AND COSTS OF REPAIR. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! THERE ARE 1996 AND 1997 RODEO'S ROTTING OUT AROUND 80,000 MILES. WHAT? WHY? THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CRIMINAL! THIS RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE ALL RODEO'S THAT EXPERIENCE THIS SAME PROBLEM, WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THEM. NOT JUST YEARS 1998-2002. MY FRAME HAS LARGE HOLES IN IT, AND CAN BE BROKEN BY HAND. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING FOR EASILY ANOTHER DECADE. CAN SOMETHING PLEASE BE DONE ABOUT THIS, BEFORE MORE PEOPLE GET HURT. *KB

NHTSA ID
10416776
Incident
Aug 2, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Aug 2, 2011

THE FRAME OF MY 1996 ISUZU RODEO IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WHEN SEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY LARGE ISSUE THAT ISUZU IS HAVING. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER TESTIMONIALS STATING THAT THEIR ISUZU RODEO'S FRAME IS RUSTED AWAY, AND THEY HAVE LESS THEN 100,000 MILES ON IT. MY RODEO HAS 110,000 MILES, BUT HAS PROBABLY BEEN RUSTED OUT SOME TIME AGO. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON THAT A FRAME TO ANY MANUFACTURED VEHICLE SHOULD BE RUSTED OUT AROUND 100,000 MILES. MANY, MANY OTHER COMPONENTS TO THE CAR SHOULD BE GOING BAD WELL BEFORE THE FRAME ROTS OUT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER CARS IN THE WORLD THAT ARE LITERALLY DECADES OLDER, AND DO NOT SHOW NEARLY AS MUCH FRAME RUST. ISUZU USED VERY LOW QUALITY, NON-RESISTANT METAL TO MAKE THE FRAME, AND IT HAS ALREADY INJURED/KILLED MANY PEOPLE. ISUZU RECOGNIZED THERE PROBLEM, AND MADE A RECALL ON THE RODEO'S FOR YEARS 1998-2002. THE SAME MATERIAL WAS USED IN ALL RODEO'S SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE 1998, HOWEVER, THEY LIMITED THERE RECALL TO ONLY 5 YEARS TO CUT DOWN EXPOSURE AND COSTS OF REPAIR. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! THERE ARE 1996 AND 1997 RODEO'S ROTTING OUT AROUND 80,000 MILES. WHAT? WHY? THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CRIMINAL! THIS RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE ALL RODEO'S THAT EXPERIENCE THIS SAME PROBLEM, WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THEM. NOT JUST YEARS 1998-2002. MY FRAME HAS LARGE HOLES IN IT, AND CAN BE BROKEN BY HAND. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING FOR EASILY ANOTHER DECADE. CAN SOMETHING PLEASE BE DONE ABOUT THIS, BEFORE MORE PEOPLE GET HURT. *KB

NHTSA ID
10416774
Incident
Aug 2, 2011
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jun 20, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE RUST WAS BUILDING UP UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V436000 (SUSPENSION:REAR) BUT THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD EXTEND THE RECALL TO LATER MODEL VEHICLES AS THE FAILURE WAS CONCURRENT WITH THE FAILURE. 150,000. UPDATED 9/16/11 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE GAS TANK LEAKED DUE TO THE RUSTING OF THE VEHICLE. THE GAS TANK SUPPORTS RUSTED OUT AND THE FRAME WAS CRUMBLING FROM THE RUST. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS BEYOND REPAIR. UPDATED 11/02/11

NHTSA ID
10407573
Incident
Jun 9, 2009
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 1, 2011

HI, I OWN AN ISUZU RODEO S V6 (YEAR 1996) AND AFTER HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP MY MECHANIC ALERTED ME ABOUT AN ADVANCED RUSTING DETERIORATION ON THE STRUCTURAL FRAME OF THE CAR. NOT ONLY THE BODY OF THE CAR IS RUSTED BUT THE FUEL LINE PIPES AS WELL. THE BREAK FLUID PIPE BROKE TWO YEARS AGO DUE TO RUSTING BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY REDUCING GEARS. THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN GREAT CONDITION (MECHANICALLY, ELECTRICALLY, ETC) AND IT IS A SHAME THAT IN VITAL PARTS OF THE CAR ISUZU USED CHEAP/NON-RESISTANT MATERIAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10386130
Incident
Feb 25, 2011
Mileage
111,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 2, 2011
Crash reported

I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE CABLE DIDN'T RETURN TO IDLE WHEN I LET OFF THE PEDAL. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE NOR WOULD PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL. TURNING OFF THE IGNITION IS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP ACCELERATION. I DROVE OUT OF CONTROL THROUGH TWO PEOPLES YARDS BEFORE COMING TO THIS CONCLUSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10380043
Incident
Nov 24, 2010
Mileage
125,000 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.

0305S001

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT

0205S003

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE). *TT

SB0105S001

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SOME V6 MODELS WITH TRANSMISSION SERIAL NUMBERS 4754596 - 5831756 MAY EXPERIENCE LEAKAGE IN THE AREA OF OVERFILL PLUG AND OIL DRAIN PLUG. *TT

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008100
2004392148.3
2003163153.3
20021012359.0
20013894358.1
20002744258.6
19995505363.9
19984786566.6
19971181046.8
1996Viewing971047.9
19951762157.2
1994825258.4
1993342051.2
1992801155.3
1991422164.6
1990001
1989000

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.