RoadVitals

1997 Isuzu Rodeo Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
118
Latest Mar 19, 2023
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.
17
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Mar 31, 1997

What this page shows

Our database holds 118 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Isuzu Rodeo. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 118 · page 1 of 5

Interior & seatsVisibility
Filed Mar 19, 2023

This specific car with this VIN number is missing the back window and just a piece of wood is covering where the window should be. Grocery bags and rags are sticking out of the wood. A 10 month old child travels in this car in freezing cold weather conditions. Back seat rests were also missing from this vehicle so child is very unsafe in this vehicle

NHTSA ID
11512624
Incident
Mar 16, 2023
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 1, 2018

THE TRUCK IS ERODING AWAY THE UNDER CARRIAGE AND HAS STATED TO COME THROUGH INTERIOR EFFECTING THE BOLTS AND THE SUPPORTS HOLDING SEAT DOWN. ALSO THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. BLOWN KNOCKING ENGINE

NHTSA ID
11115238
Incident
Jul 30, 2018
Body & structure
Filed May 15, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE SERVICE, THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME ON THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10716711
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Mileage
125,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Apr 3, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE BEING INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE UNDERBODY AND THE BRAKE LINES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE COMPONENTS BEING FULL OF RUST AND THE RISK OF FRACTURING AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID
10703584
Incident
Apr 3, 2015
Mileage
88,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 7, 2014

I SENT IN A COMPLETE ALREADY I HAVE NEVER HEARD BACK I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW THE 96 AND 98 WERE RECALLED FOR FRAME PROBLEMS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM YOU FOR THE 97 I AM IN A TIGHT SPOT I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS CAR I HAVE GOOD CREDIT BUT BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE COSIGNER I CAN NOT REPLACE THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10596798
Incident
Feb 28, 2014
Mileage
144,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed May 27, 2014

WENT TO GO GET INSPECTED WAS TOLD IT WOULD NOT PASS FRAME ROTTED IN 2 SPOTS ON RIGHT SIDE OF CAR ALSO NOT SURE IF THE YEAR IS RIGHT OR NOT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10594380
Incident
Feb 28, 2014
Mileage
156,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 28, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FRAME AND STATED THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXTREME RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,418.

NHTSA ID
10486318
Incident
Nov 29, 2011
Mileage
118,418 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 10, 2012

I HAVE A 1997 ISUZU RODEO WHICH I HAVE OWNED FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS AND WANT TO SELL IT. IT IS PHYSICALLY AND MECHANICALLY IN EXCELLENT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL AMOUNT OF RUST TO THE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE. UNBEKNOWNST TO ME, ISUZU HAD A RECALL ON MANY OF THESE VEHICLES WHICH I WAS NOT AWARE OF, EVEN THOUGH I HAD BOUGHT THIS USED VEHICLE FROM AN ISUZU DEALER. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALER AND ASKING WHY I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL, HE SAID ALL VEHICLES WERE NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. UPON LOOKING UP MY VIN, HE SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED!!! I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY AS, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE, MY VEHICLE HAS ALL THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF THE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED AND I AM AFRAID IT MAY BE UNSAFE TO SELL!. I REALIZE THE RECALL ENDED IN DECEMBER AND ISUZU IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS BUT I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND GIVEN THE OPTION TO CHOOSE WHETHER OR NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RECALL OFFER.IS THERE ANY RESOLUTION TO THIS OR WILL I BE STUCK WITH A VEHICLE I AM AFRAID TO SELL? *TR

NHTSA ID
10470077
Incident
Aug 17, 2011
Mileage
162,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 6, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID
10442721
Incident
Dec 12, 2011
Mileage
190,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Nov 23, 2011

MY VEHICLE IS 1997 AND IT IS SAME ISSUE WITH 10V-436 RECALL NOTICE. I AM WONDERING WHY MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS I SEE THE SAME ISSUE WITH MINE. THERE WERE 2 OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10436837
Incident
Oct 3, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Oct 11, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER MAIN FRAME RAIL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGES WERE BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10429476
Incident
Sep 11, 2002
Mileage
125,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 16, 2011

ACCELERATED CHASSIS TRAILING ARM RUST UNDERNEATH THE AUTO. *KB

NHTSA ID
10419739
Incident
May 2, 2011
Mileage
145,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 16, 2011

1997 ISUZU RODEO - INFORMED BY AUTO MECHANIC THAT VEHICLE FRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT AND VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BODY MOUNT PUSHED THROUGH RUSTED FRAME SO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE NOW RESTS ON THE FRAME NO LONGER SECURING THE VEHICLE BODY TO THE FRAME AT THAT MOUNTING LOCATION. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT A HALF INCH LOWER THAN THE DRIVER SIDE AS THE BODY MOUNT PUSHED THROUGH THE RUSTED FRAME. FRAME HAS EXTENSIVE, PREMATURE HEAVY RUST AND IS RUSTED THROUGH IN A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS. *KB

NHTSA ID
10419646
Incident
Jul 10, 2011
Mileage
162,000 mi
Filed Jun 8, 2011

UNDER FRAME HAS RUSTED AND CORRODED SO BADLY WE ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE.

NHTSA ID
10406404
Incident
May 11, 2011
Mileage
123,333 mi
Filed Apr 7, 2011

I AM FILING THIS FOR MY 1997 ISUZU RODEO THAT MAY HAD A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10395190
Incident
Apr 7, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Jan 24, 2011

FRAME RUSTING AWAY FROM UNDERNEATH OUR 1997 ISUZU RODEO. FILED A COMPLAINT OVER A YEAR AGO WITH NHTSA INCLUDING PICTURES, PIECES OF THE METAL FROM THE FRAME AND DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED FOR THE RECALL ON RODEO'S AND PASSPORTS. (MY ODI #10299607) AS YOU WILL SEE THE INFORMATIONWAS TAKEN DOWN INCORRECTLY AN STATES A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM. THAT IS HOW WE FOUND OUT THE FRAME WAS BAD IS WHEN WE TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR. THERE ARE MANY ISUZU AND PASSPORT OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE FRAMES ARE ROTTING OUT AND CAUSE COMPONENTS TO LET GO FROM THE FRAME WHICH COULD CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL TO TRY TO FIX THE LOWER BRACKETS BUT MOST ARE NOT FIXABLE BECAUSE THE FRAMES ARE SO GONE. WE WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL BECAUSE ISUZU AT THEIR DISCRETION ONLY CHOOSE A FIVE YEAR PERIOD FROM 1998-2002. WE SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS WELL AS OTHERS BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO LIMIT THEIR EXPOSURE AND KEEP COST DOWN WHILE IN THE MEANTIME SOMEONE COULD GET HURT. THE RECALL SHOULD GO BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FRAMES WHICH SOMEONE ON THE BLOG FOUND OUT IT HAS BEEN DETERMINE TO BE THE DANA CORP. WHO ALSO MADE THE BAD FRAME ON TOYOTA TICUMSA. THE RECALL NEED TO BE FROM MANUFACTURE DATE OF THE FRAMES MADE FOR ALL ISUZU AND PASSPORTS. THIS RECALL IS NOT BEING HANDLE CORRECTLY AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10378444
Incident
Jan 11, 2010
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 24, 2011

BAD FRAME ROT ON MY 1997 ISUZU RODEO WAS CHANGING OUT MY U-JOINTS AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICES SEVERAL SPOTS WHERE THE FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH. I BEGAN CLEANING THE FRAME AND SOME SPOTS DISINTEGRATED WHEN I HIT THEM WITH A WIRE WHEEL. WELDED ANY CRACKS I FOUND FILLED IN SMALLER HOLES AND WELDED PLATES AND SUPPORTS INTO THE BAD SPOTS. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THIS WAS A ONE OFF INCIDENT BUT AFTER A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE IT SEEMS FAIRLY COMMON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10378370
Incident
Jan 23, 2011
Mileage
169,700 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 12, 2011

1999 ISUZU RODEO. CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING WHY HER VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 10V436000. *KB

NHTSA ID
10375758
Incident
Jan 3, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Dec 22, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY TO HAVE THE EXHAUST PIPE REPLACED WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE FRAME AND SUB FRAME WERE EXCESSIVELY CORRODED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SUB FRAME COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ID
10372105
Incident
Dec 16, 2010
Mileage
136,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 15, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SERIOUS CORROSION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER NOT TO DRIVE IT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE 1997 VEHICLES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 195,000.

NHTSA ID
10370739
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Mileage
195,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 28, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SPRING MOUNTS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS A SAFETY CONCERN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,500. UPDATED 01/04/118LJ UPDATED 01/10/11*JB

NHTSA ID
10362753
Incident
Oct 26, 2010
Mileage
100,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 4, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CHANGING THE OIL, HE NOTICED EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO LOCAL WELDERS AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE FRAME. THE LOCAL WELDERS STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE UNKNOWN RECALL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO LATER MODELS BECAUSE THIS OF THE KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ID
10359049
Incident
Apr 13, 2010
Mileage
94,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 12, 2010

1997 RODEO TOOK IT IN TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME IS RUSTED THRU AND HOLES EXIST IN A NUMBER OF AREAS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10348992
Incident
Aug 10, 2010
Mileage
125,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 2, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED AND CORRODED. THE FRAME WAS WELDED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS INFORMED EVERY YEAR WHILE HAVING THE STATE INSPECTION PERFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO HER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EACH YEAR TO HAVE THE FRAME RE-WELDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID
10346843
Incident
Jun 1, 2007
Body & structure
Filed Jul 5, 2010

THE FRAME OF MY 1997 ISUZU RODEO HAS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT HAS BROKEN IN HALF. I CAN PULL CHUNKS OUT OF THE FRAME WITH MY BARE HANDS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10341516
Incident
Jul 3, 2010
Mileage
190,000 mi

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