VehicleVerdict

2000 Isuzu Rodeo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 354 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.9 times the median Rodeo year — the 2000 model ranks #4 of 16 Rodeo years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 38 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (84), suspension (65), and engine (40), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

354

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

40

Crash-involved

12

Fires reported

38

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Rodeo years?

See all Rodeo years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Isuzu Rodeo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure8424%
Suspension6518%
Engine4011%
Brakes3610%
Fuel System319%
Electrical System206%
Transmission185%
Speed Control154%
Tires & Wheels103%
Airbags72%
Seat Belts72%
Other62%
Steering62%
Lighting31%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Latches & Locks10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Seats10%

Does the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo have recalls?

4 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.

02V213000AirbagsAugust 9, 2002 · 15 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WERE MANUFACTURED AND SHIPPED WITHOUT A NECESSARY COMPONENT KNOWN AS A CHECK VALVE PIN.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT INFLATE PROPERLY OR SUFFICIENTLY RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER 2002. 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.

01V055000AirbagsFebruary 22, 2001 · 3 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE INFLATORS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULES HAVING THE WRONG AMOUNT OF GENERANT.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT WOULD TRIGGER A PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, TOO MUCH GENERANT CAN CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE. IF THE AIR BAG MODULE EXPLODES, METAL AND PLASTIC DEBRIS COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG UNIT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL ROAD (APPROXIMATE SPEED 40MPH). AFTER HITTING AN AVERAGE BUMP IN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. IT THRASHED SIDE TO SIDE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CRASHING INTO A DITCH AND LANDING ONTO ITS SIDE. I HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. HOWEVER, WHEN THE TOW…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 5, 2010 · crash

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL ROAD (APPROXIMATE SPEED 40MPH). AFTER HITTING AN AVERAGE BUMP IN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. IT THRASHED SIDE TO SIDE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CRASHING INTO A DITCH AND LANDING ONTO ITS SIDE. I HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. HOWEVER, WHEN THE TOW…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 5, 2010 · crash

IN JULY 2000 CONSUMER HEARD A PINGING NOISE, AND DEALER DISCOVERED THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND MUFFLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN MAR 2001, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A PINGING SOUND, AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM FLOOR BOARD NEAR DRIVERS FEET.. IT WAS A SMOLDERING FIRE THAT BURNED A WHOLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 4, 2001 · fire

VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE COASTING CAUSING VEHICLE TO FISH-TAIL AND SPIN OUT. ONCE VEHICLE CORRECTED BRAKES/ABS DID NOT ENGAGE (NO PULSE IN BRAKE PEDAL NO SQUEALING TIRES) RESULTING IN VEHICLE CAREENING OF THE ROAD. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 19, 2005 · crash

I TOOK THE DEALER ISUZU TO LEMON LAW AND I WAS TOLD IT WORKS AS DESIGNED. THE JURY WAS SO STUPID IT WAS UN BELIEVABLE, THEY ALL CAME UP TO MY WIFE AND I AND SAID MAKE SURE YOU TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERS TO GET IT FIXED. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH ISN'T THAT WHY I AM HERE IN COURT? GOOD LUCK PEOPLE ARE STUPID…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 12, 2003 · crash

2000 Isuzu Rodeo — common questions

Is the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 354 complaints put the 2000 model at #4 of 16 Rodeo years. It is one of the Rodeo years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Rodeo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (84 complaints), suspension (65 complaints), engine (40 complaints).

Does the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.