VehicleVerdict

1998 Isuzu Rodeo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 627 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.2 times the median Rodeo year — the 1998 model ranks #2 of 16 Rodeo years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 43 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 245 reports (39% of the total).

627

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

5

Investigations

107

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

43

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Rodeo years?

Rodeo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 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, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rodeo years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Isuzu Rodeo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes24539%
Body & Structure6911%
Suspension6110%
Engine427%
Fuel System356%
Electrical System335%
Speed Control295%
Transmission234%
Tires & Wheels183%
Other173%
Airbags163%
Steering142%
Visibility & Wipers91%
Latches & Locks61%
Seat Belts41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)30%
Lighting20%
Trailer Hitch10%

Does the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo have recalls?

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

10V436000SuspensionSeptember 22, 2010 · 149,992 units

Defect

ISUZU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2002 ISUZU RODEO AND MODEL YEAR 2002 ISUZU AXIOM VEHICLES, AND HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1998-2002 HONDA PASSPORT 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. VEHICLES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SUSTAINED EXPOSURE TO HIGHLY CORROSIVE MATERIALS USED IN SOME JURISDICTIONS FOR ROAD DEICING PURPOSES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE VICINITY OF THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT BRACKET FOR THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK PRIOR TO THE TIME THAT SUCH CORROSION WOULD NORMALLY BE EXPECTED.

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 POTENTIALLY CAUSE 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, A REPURCHASE OFFER WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE VEHICLE'S OWNER. 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, OR HONDA DEALER (AS APPLICABLE), DEALER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF WHEN OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WERE ISSUED. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. ISUZU OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727. HONDA OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

02I002000BrakesJune 3, 2002 · 161,927 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), THE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES IN CERTAIN TYPES OF BRAKING EVENTS.

Consequence

EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT COMPUTER ALGORITHM FOR THE ABS THAT IS BASED ON THE ALGORITHM USED IN ISUZU'S MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES, WHICH HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM. THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES, WITH THE MY 1998 2WD VEHICLES COVERED FIRST, SINCE THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE MOST PROBLEMS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 20, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-643-4070.

01I002000EngineMay 29, 2001

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1998-2000 RODEO (UE) AND AMIGO (UA) MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L 4-CYLINDER ENGINES. THE TIMING BELT COULD BREAK BEFORE THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CRANK BUT WILL NOT START OR THE ENGINE COULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT RESTART.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF THE TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TIMING BELT. DEPENDING ON THE CONDITION OR MODEL OF THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER, THE TENSIONER MAY ALSO BE REPLACED. ISUZU HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 22, 2001. OWNERS CAN CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-643-4070, EXT. 426, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.

00V058000SuspensionMarch 2, 2000 · 213,736 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. PAINT WAS APPLIED UNEVENLY ON THE REAR AXLES, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT PAINT HARDNESS. SHOULD THIS OCCUR ON THE SURFACE THAT CONTACTS THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK BRACKET BOLT HEAD AND/OR NUT, THE NUT MAY LOOSEN.

Consequence

THE BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK JOINT NUT AND BOLT.

98V170000Electrical SystemJuly 24, 1998 · 55,475 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. A GROUND CONNECTION TERMINAL WAS NOT PROPERLY CRIMPED IN THE SUPPLIER'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MANUFACTURING LINE. THIS IMPROPER CRIMPING PROCESS CAN LEAVE AN IMPRESSION ON THE TERMINAL THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A STRESS FRACTURE. S

Consequence

IF A TERMINAL IS FRACTURED, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAN RECEIVE AN ERRONEOUS SIGNAL INDICATING A HIGH VEHICLE SPEED, THEREBY CAUSING THE PCM TO CUT THE FUEL, CAUSING A 'NO-START' CONDITION, OR A POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.

97V206001OtherNovember 13, 1997 · 233 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER'S SIDE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT RUBBER FLOOR MAT. REPEATED MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVER'S FEET AND ACTUATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN RESULT IN A SHIFTING OF THE MAT'S POSITION. THIS SHIFTING CAN CAUSE AN INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE A RESTRICTION OF THE PEDAL'S RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

ISUZU IS ASKING FOR THE RETURN OF THE FLOOR MAT SET AND WILL REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THE COST OF THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT SET ALONG WITH ANY RETURN SHIPPING COSTS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WHEN ATTEPMTING TO STOP AND UPON APPLYING BRAKES ABS BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A REAREND COLLISION, IMPACT SPEED 15 MPH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK ISUZU HAS DENIED THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER STATES EVERY TIME VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 1, 2001 · crash

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND THE CAR WAS SWAYING AT 25 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN, SOMETHING BROKE UNDERNEATH, LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND THREW ME ACROSS THREE LANES AND BACK. WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BEFORE CRASHING. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. MECHANIC TOLD ME FRAME COMPLETELY ROTTED, IMPOSSIBLE TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 15, 2009

WHILE DRIVING OVER ANY BUMPS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY, AND RESULTING IN A CRASH. ALSO, IN WET CONDITIONS VEHICLE WANDERED WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 1, 1998 · crash

ABS LIGHT CAME ON, DRIVING 35 MPH COULD NOT STOP SUDDENLY AND SLID INTO ANOTHER CAR CAUSING $2700 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND INSURANCE HAD LAPSED HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. FUEL GAUGE ALWAYS SHOWS LESS THAN REALLY IS EVEN WHEN FULL. CATALICTIC CONVERTER IS ALWAYS RATTLING. DT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 24, 2002 · crash

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-45MPH WHEN SHE BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE. THE FRONT WHEEL OF DRIVER SIDE STARTED TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS TURNING TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE BEGAN SKIDDING. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, BUT BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 19, 1999 · crash

1998 Isuzu Rodeo — common questions

Is the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 627 complaints put the 1998 model at #2 of 16 Rodeo years. It is one of the Rodeo years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Rodeo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (245 complaints), body & structure (69 complaints), suspension (61 complaints).

Does the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.