VehicleVerdict

2001 Isuzu Rodeo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 515 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.3 times the median Rodeo year — the 2001 model ranks #3 of 16 Rodeo years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: body & structure issues account for 42% of all reports (218 of 515), far ahead of suspension at 117.

515

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

3

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Rodeo years?

Rodeo NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rodeo years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Isuzu Rodeo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure21842%
Suspension11723%
Fuel System296%
Engine275%
Brakes255%
Electrical System214%
Transmission194%
Other133%
Tires & Wheels133%
Steering92%
Speed Control92%
Airbags71%
Seat Belts20%
Visibility & Wipers20%
Lighting10%
Latches & Locks10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2001 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.

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.

00V298000Fuel SystemOctober 5, 2000 · 3,052 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF CERTAIN FUEL RETURN HOSES, INCORRECT RUBBER MATERIAL FOR THE OUTER LAYER WAS USED.

Consequence

THE FUEL RETURN HOSE DOES NOT MEET OZONE-RESISTANT SPECIFICATIONS, AND COULD ULTIMATELY CRACK, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN INCORRECT HOSE. IF IT IS INCORRECT, DEALERS WILL REPLACE IT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WHILE DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT APPROX.20 MPH VEHICLE ABRUPTLY SWERVED LEFT WITH ACCELERATION THEN SWERVED RIGHT WITH DECELERATION AND ALMOST ROLLED OVER. UPON INVESTIGATION THE LEFT TRAILING ARM WAS FOUND TO BE UNATTACHED TO THE FRAME DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED MULTIPLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 16, 2010 · crash

WITHIN THE PAST FEW WEEKS WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON OUR 2001 ISUZU RODEO. I CALLED THE LOCAL ISUZU DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE "TECH BULLETIN" NOR THE PARTS TO FIX THE VEHICLE BUT THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY COULD GET OUR VEHICLE IN. THEY SAID IT WAS ONLY A MINOR ISSUE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 30, 2011 · crash

2001 ISUZU RODEO, WITH NO PRIOR DAMAGE, WAS WARMING UP AND CAUGHT FIRE. APPARENTLY , A FUEL LINE LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS THE CAUSE. NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, AND NO PRIOR MECHANICAL WORK PERFORMED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT RELATING TO FUEL LINES. APPARENTLY ISUZU HAD A RECALL ON FUEL LINES,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 17, 2006 · fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, SLOWED DOWN, AND ATTEMPTED TO STALL. THE CONTACT NOTICED SOMETHING BOUNCING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THEN OBSERVED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. SHE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 20, 2009 · fire

AFTER HAVING MY RODEO FOR A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS, I'VE BEEN HAVING BRAKING PROBLEMS WHICH NO ONE SEEMS TO BELIEVE. WHILE MAKING AN EMERGENCY BRAKE, THE CAR SHAKES VERY BADLY AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING, WILL SLIDE. THE BRAKE RELEASED INSTEAD OF STOPPING AFTER THE SLIDE. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 15, 2003 · crash

2001 Isuzu Rodeo — common questions

Is the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 515 complaints put the 2001 model at #3 of 16 Rodeo years. It is one of the Rodeo years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Rodeo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (218 complaints), suspension (117 complaints), fuel system (29 complaints).

Does the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.