VehicleVerdict

2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 28 complaints on file for the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

28

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Rodeo Sport years?

Rodeo Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted68 complaints1998: 13 complaints1999: 19 complaints2000: 14 complaints2001: 68 complaints2002: 28 complaints2003: 1 complaints
Rodeo Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rodeo Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension932%
Body & Structure621%
Engine311%
Electrical System27%
Visibility & Wipers27%
Transmission14%
Seat Belts14%
Fuel System14%
Other14%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)14%
Speed Control14%

Does the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V306000SuspensionJune 29, 2012 · 14,756 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

05V466000Fuel SystemOctober 7, 2005 · 15,515 units

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.

Consequence

A FUEL LEAK COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:10V436000…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 3, 2011

“THE STABILIZER FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS ON THE ROAD. LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THAT POINT, NEARLY AVOIDED HITTING A LOGGING TRUCK, ENDED UP IN A DITCH. MECHANIC SAID THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND HE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. VEHICLE LOOKS GREAT ON THE OUTSIDE, YOU'D…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 20, 2002 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE WILL CONTINUOUSLY STALL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“SUV WILL STALL WHEN YOU GIVE IT GAS, IT WILL START TO SHAKE AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ALL COME ON, THEN THE VEHICLE GOES DEAD. SOMETIMES IF YOU HIT A BUMP IT WILL JUST TURN OFF. THIS HAPPENS ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASES, AND THE DEALER STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 2004

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE BACK WINDOW CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOTHING HIT THE WINDOW. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED THE CONTACT TAKE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO GLASS REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT SHOWED LITTLE CONCERN OF THE PROBLEM. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 9, 2006

2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport — common questions

Is the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport reliable?

The record is thin — 28 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2002 Rodeo Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (9 complaints), body & structure (6 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Isuzu Rodeo Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rodeo Sport years to avoid are 2001. The cleanest record among Rodeo Sport years belongs to 2003.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.