VehicleVerdict

1995 Isuzu Rodeo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1995 Isuzu Rodeo carries two red flags at once: 233 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 1.9× the Rodeo norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: BRUSH/GRILLE GUARD CAMPAIGN). It is one of the Rodeo years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include 5 deaths and 49 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (40), brakes (24), and body & structure (23), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

233

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

38

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

49

Injuries

5

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Rodeo years?

Rodeo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 highlighted735 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 60 complaints1992: 112 complaints1993: 41 complaints1994: 122 complaints1995: 233 complaints1996: 121 complaints1997: 167 complaints1998: 627 complaints1999: 735 complaints2000: 354 complaints2001: 515 complaints2002: 121 complaints2003: 19 complaints2004: 68 complaints2008: 1 complaints
Rodeo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rodeo years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Isuzu Rodeo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels4017%
Brakes2410%
Electrical System2310%
Body & Structure2310%
Engine229%
Airbags209%
Transmission167%
Visibility & Wipers146%
Suspension136%
Latches & Locks94%
Speed Control94%
Steering73%
Other63%
Fuel System31%
Lighting21%
Seat Belts21%

Does the 1995 Isuzu Rodeo have recalls?

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

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

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.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

97V034001Electrical SystemMarch 7, 1997 · 118,485 units

Defect

AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITHIN THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR CAN CONTAIN MANUFACTURING ERRORS.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CHARGING OF THE VEHICLE'S ALTERNATOR, RESULTING IN ENGINE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, AND/OR EVENTUAL ENGINE STALL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR WITH A NEW REGULATOR.

Open NHTSA investigations

SQ96009

BRUSH/GRILLE GUARD CAMPAIGN

ADDITION INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE NATURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SUBJECT BULLETIN.LOSS OF AN ITEM THIS SIZE WOULD HAVE SAFETY COSEQUENCES.THIS SQ IS OPENED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MYSELF AND 4 OTHERS WERE NORTHBOUND ON I-35 NEAR OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS, WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FAILED. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE CORE, AND THE STEEL BELTED CORDS SEPARATED. THERE WERE NO ADVERSE DRIVING CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. WE WERE NOT SPEEDING, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 9, 1998 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MPH, UPON MAKING A SUDDEN STOP, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 29, 1997 · crash

“MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN YOUR SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER SB96-01-L005, BULLETIN SEQUENCE NUMBER 23. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM LAST SUMMER (8/98) THAT THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL SEEPING INTO THE SPARK PLUG TUBES. IS THIS SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURER HAS TO REPAIR ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System

“FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY INTO FROM JUST IN FRONT OF THE SHOCK MOUNTS ON THE REAR OF MY 1995 ISUZU RODEO. THE REAR SHOCKS WENT THROUGH THE FRAME AN CUT THE LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP AN SHORTED IT AN IT DOES NOT WORK NOW. WE WRECKED RAN IN A DITCH AN NOW CAN NOT DRIVE IT.WE ARE NOW DOWN TO ONE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 28, 2010 · crash

“I TOOK MY ISUZU RODEO TO HAVE THE ROCKER ARM NOISE FIXED. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR HAVING ALREADY DONE THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTOR AND NO THE RIGHT.....THE IDLE NEVER HAS BEEN THE SAME..CAR HAS BEEN IN ON 5 TIMES NOW FOR A TOTAL OF 13 DAYS. THEY CANT FIGURE IT OUT. TOLD ME UNTIL THE IDLE IS UP ALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 4, 2001

1995 Isuzu Rodeo — common questions

Is the 1995 Isuzu Rodeo reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 233 complaints put the 1995 model at #5 of 16 Rodeo years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Rodeo years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Rodeo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (40 complaints), brakes (24 complaints), body & structure (23 complaints).

Does the 1995 Isuzu Rodeo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Isuzu Rodeo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1995 Isuzu Rodeo under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (BRUSH/GRILLE GUARD CAMPAIGN). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Isuzu Rodeo years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rodeo years to avoid are 1999, 1998, 2001, 2000, 1995, 1994. The cleanest record among Rodeo years belongs to 1990.

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.