Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 11 of 97 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Wheels. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
17 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
97 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, AirUnknown Or Other
ENGINE PROBLEMS;LOSING POWER AND MAKING POPPING NOISES, WHEN VEHICLE IS TRAVELING FROM START TO 75 MPH VEHICLE STOPS, AND ENGINE SHUTS DOWN EVERYTHING, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON WONT TURN OFF, ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN STAYS ON,PROBLEMS STARTED ON OR ABOUT OCT 2002 AND HAVE NOT STOPPED,TRIED TO CONTACT…
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ENGINE PROBLEMS;LOSING POWER AND MAKING POPPING NOISES, WHEN VEHICLE IS TRAVELING FROM START TO 75 MPH VEHICLE STOPS, AND ENGINE SHUTS DOWN EVERYTHING, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON WONT TURN OFF, ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN STAYS ON,PROBLEMS STARTED ON OR ABOUT OCT 2002 AND HAVE NOT STOPPED,TRIED TO CONTACT DEALER, DEALER NO LONGER EXISTS.HELP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10029202
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2002
Wheels
LUG NUTS SNAP OFF EVERYTIME TIRES ARE REMOVED FOR ROTATION. THIS IS NOT THE MECHANICS FAULT. IT IS A DEFECT AND ISUZU SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENTS. I'M GETTING SOAKED EVERYTIME I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR ROTATION OF MY TIRES, WHICH SHOULD BE FREE BECAUSE I PURCHASED THE TIRES AT THE ESTABLISHMENT. INSTEAD, I AM GETTING CH…
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LUG NUTS SNAP OFF EVERYTIME TIRES ARE REMOVED FOR ROTATION. THIS IS NOT THE MECHANICS FAULT. IT IS A DEFECT AND ISUZU SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENTS. I'M GETTING SOAKED EVERYTIME I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR ROTATION OF MY TIRES, WHICH SHOULD BE FREE BECAUSE I PURCHASED THE TIRES AT THE ESTABLISHMENT. INSTEAD, I AM GETTING CHARGED $80-$100 EVERYTIME BECAUSE THE LUG NUTS BREAK OFF AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED! BASED ON WHAT I SEE ON THIS WEBSITE, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND ISUZU SHOULD BE FOOTING THE BILL FOR THIS. DT
NHTSA ODI #770647
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2002
Wheels
THE VEHICLE TIRE STUD IS TOO WEAK TO COME OFF AND IT DESOLVED. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM
NHTSA ODI #8008131
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2002
Air BagsCrash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION OF 15 OR MORE MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8005709
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH ISUZU FOR BUILDING AND THEN SELLING THIS OBVIOUS LEMON AS A VEHICLE TO THE PUBLIC. HOW CAN PEOPLE FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT SPENDING THAT MUCH MONEY ON A VEHICLE WHEN IT IS GOING TO FALL APART IN THAT SHORT OF TIME. I REALLY THINK THAT SO MUCH GOING WRONG IN ONE VEHICLE THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING…
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I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH ISUZU FOR BUILDING AND THEN SELLING THIS OBVIOUS LEMON AS A VEHICLE TO THE PUBLIC. HOW CAN PEOPLE FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT SPENDING THAT MUCH MONEY ON A VEHICLE WHEN IT IS GOING TO FALL APART IN THAT SHORT OF TIME. I REALLY THINK THAT SO MUCH GOING WRONG IN ONE VEHICLE THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND THAT THE COMPANY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT AND THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE NEVER PUT IT BACK OUT ON THE LOT TO BE SOLD AGAIN. YES IT WAS BOUGHT USED BUT EVERYONE OF THE CAR DEALERS WE TRIED TO TRADE IT OFF TO ALREADY NEW ABOUT THE PAST HISTORY OF THE CAR, SO WAS THE CONSUMER NOT INFORMED BECAUSE THEY JUST SELL CARS AND DON'T CARE ABOUT THE CONSUMER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #754797
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THESE ROTORS RUST AND FLAKE HORRIBLY AND CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. MY SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THAT IT WASNOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THESE ROTORS HAVE FAILED EVERY 2 YRS/ 20K MILES. I HAVE NEVER REPLACED ROTORS ON A VEHICLE, LET ALONE THAT OFTEN. THESE ROTORS NEED TO BE RECALLED THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. I …
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THESE ROTORS RUST AND FLAKE HORRIBLY AND CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. MY SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THAT IT WASNOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THESE ROTORS HAVE FAILED EVERY 2 YRS/ 20K MILES. I HAVE NEVER REPLACED ROTORS ON A VEHICLE, LET ALONE THAT OFTEN. THESE ROTORS NEED TO BE RECALLED THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY SERVICE PERSON AT COCHRAN AND BY ANOTHER MECHANIC WHICH SEVICES MY OTHER DAR THAT RODEO ROTORS HAVE ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE. WHY ARENT THEY ON A RECALL LIST? THIS COSTS ME 6-800.00 DOLLARS AT EACH FAILURE!! I AM GRATEFUL IT DIDNT COST MY LIFE. THERE ARE NO SQUEELERS TO WARN / IN 10 MILES FROM WORK, MY BRAKES STATRED TO GRIND THEN GOT WORSE AND LOUDER AND THE PEDDLE GOT SOFTER AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP EVEN DRIVING SLOW AND DOWNSHIFTING. DANGEROUS/ VEHICLE WAS JUST INSPECTED BY DEALER 3MNTHS/3K MILES EARLIER IN JULY/NO BRAKE TROUBLE THEN/FAILURE 3MNTHS/3K MILES LATER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #754050
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages
REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN BY APPLYING OUTSIDE OR INSIDE HANDLES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #893908
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2001
Wheels
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #749817
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2001
Visibility
DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS NOT A KNOWN (OR ACKNOWLEDGED!) PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #748205
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2001
Wheels
STUD AND LUGS ARE MADE OF SOFT METAL, THAT WEARS AND SIEZE UP WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE THEM. REPLACEMENT ARE MADE WITH THE SAME METAL AT A COST OF 8 PER LUG AND LOBOR. HEAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM ALONG WITH FRICTION.
NHTSA ODI #9003002
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Isuzu Rodeo Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year