VehicleVerdict

1998 Isuzu Rodeo engine problems

The 1998 Isuzu Rodeo has 42 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

42

Engine complaints

7%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo have?

NHTSA has 42 complaints about the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo engine — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 01I002000.

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.