VehicleVerdict

2000 Isuzu Rodeo engine problems

The 2000 Isuzu Rodeo has 40 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

40

Engine complaints

11%

Share of year

2

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

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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo have?

NHTSA has 40 complaints about the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo engine — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2000 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.