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1997 Isuzu Rodeo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Isuzu Rodeo do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 89.5.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
118Owner complaints

Model-year median: 89.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1997 Isuzu Rodeo

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 118 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Structure: 32 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 16 reports
  • Wheels: 14 reports
  • Air Bags: 13 reports
  • Vehicle Speed Control: 11 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    82
    1994    176
    1995    97
    1996    118
    1997    478
    1998    550
    1999    274
    2000
    Compare all Rodeo years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Structure
    32    Engine And Engine Cooling
    16    Wheels
    14    Air Bags
    13    Vehicle Speed Control
    11
    All reported categories
    Power Train
    10    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    8    Unknown Or Other
    8    Electrical System
    7    Suspension
    7    Tires
    5    Visibility
    4    Fuel System, Gasoline
    3    Fuel System, Other
    3    Seats
    3    Equipment
    2    Latches/locks/linkages
    2    Parking Brake
    2    Child Seat
    1    Exterior Lighting
    1    Interior Lighting
    1    Seat Belts
    1    Service Brakes
    1    Steering
    1    Visibility/wiper
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    41 reports with mileage · 77 unknown

    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.

    • Structure. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Wheels. Review the 14 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 reports0 fire reports10 injury reports

    Unknown Or Other complaints

    8 reports
    Clear category filter
    Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2023
    SeatsUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

    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 …

    Read full complaint

    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 ODI #11512624

    123,333 miles · Jun 8, 2011
    Unknown Or Other

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

    NHTSA ODI #10406404

    Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2011
    Unknown Or Other

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

    NHTSA ODI #10395190

    Mileage unknown · May 29, 2003
    Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

    BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGEERS AUTOMATIC WINDOWS HAVE BROKEN. THE MIDDLE CONSOLE IS BROKEN. THE HOOKS FOR THE BACK SEAT DO NOT LATCH THE SEAT AND THE SEAT FLIES FORWARD DURING BRAKING (A DISTRACTING HAZZARD). THE ENGINE MAKES A TICKING NOISE. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO GET TOO HOT. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO SMELL OF OIL EVEN AFTER SHO…

    Read full complaint

    BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGEERS AUTOMATIC WINDOWS HAVE BROKEN. THE MIDDLE CONSOLE IS BROKEN. THE HOOKS FOR THE BACK SEAT DO NOT LATCH THE SEAT AND THE SEAT FLIES FORWARD DURING BRAKING (A DISTRACTING HAZZARD). THE ENGINE MAKES A TICKING NOISE. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO GET TOO HOT. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO SMELL OF OIL EVEN AFTER SHORT TRIPS. THE BELTS MAKE LOUD NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS JUST STARTING - I JUST HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE STATION AND THE SERVICE MAN SAID HE DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.

    NHTSA ODI #10020705

    Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2001
    Unknown Or Other

    WHILE TRAVELING ENGINE INDICATION LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #881068

    Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2000
    Unknown Or Other

    NO SUMMARY

    NHTSA ODI #727590

    Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1999
    Unknown Or Other

    CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMESON/OFF; NO APPARENT PROBLEMS. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #703112

    Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1998
    EquipmentFuel System, OtherUnknown Or Other

    FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED.

    NHTSA ODI #536234

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.