VehicleVerdict

2002 Isuzu Rodeo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2002 Isuzu Rodeo sits mid-pack among Rodeo years: 121 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 121, with 2 recalls and 3 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (22), brakes (18), and transmission (18), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

121

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Rodeo years?

Rodeo NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rodeo years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Isuzu Rodeo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure2218%
Brakes1815%
Transmission1815%
Engine1714%
Suspension1512%
Visibility & Wipers76%
Airbags65%
Fuel System43%
Electrical System43%
Lighting22%
Latches & Locks22%
Steering11%
Driver Assistance11%
Seat Belts11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Other11%
Speed Control11%

Does the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo have recalls?

2 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.

05V466000Fuel SystemOctober 7, 2005 · 15,515 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO FUEL CONTAMINATED WITH SILICON MAY DEVELOP SMALL PIN HOLES IN THE FUEL PUMP FEED PORT. SILICON HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE FUEL SYSTEMS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES AND IN CERTAIN FUEL AVAILABLE IN THE REGION OF TYLER, TEXAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN TEXAS AND THE FOUR SURROUNDING STATES: OKLAHOMA, ARKANSAS, NEW MEXICO AND LOUISIANA.

Consequence

A FUEL LEAK COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE STATES IDENTIFIED ABOVE, DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A NEW COVER OVER THE EXISTING FEED PORT ON THE FUEL PUMP OR, IF THE EXISTING FEED PORT HAS ALREADY BEEN DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE NEW COVER. THE NEW COVER WILL BE MADE OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY TRACTION BAR FELL OFF CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THE CURB. THE WHOLE FRAME IS ROTTING OUT I HAD NO IDEA OF THE RECALL UNTIL I LOOKED INTO IT NOW. HOW CAN I GET MY TRUCK FIXED? *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 1, 2014 · crash

2002 ISUZU RODEO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL CAN NOT BE CHECKED DUE TO THE LOCATION. *NJ THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT WAS THEN DISCOVERED SHE COULD NOT CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE THE DIPSTICK WAS LOCATED UNDER THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE SHOULDN'T…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 1, 2008

I PULLED INTO A HANDICAP PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A SUPERMARKET, PUT IT IN PARK, SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. GOT OUT OUT VEHICLE, LOCKED THE DOORS. STARTED TO WALK AWAY AND A GUY THAT WAS SITTING AT A TABLE IN FRONT OF STORE YELLED THERE GOES YOUR CAR. I RAN BESIDE THE CAR TO TRY TO OPEN THE DOOR TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 8, 2016 · crash

WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/ BACK UP LIGHTS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD. THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAS TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A TURN THERE WAS A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. CONSUMER STATED THESE PROBLEMS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 1, 2003

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY TRACTION BAR FELL OFF CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THE CURB. THE WHOLE FRAME IS ROTTING OUT I HAD NO IDEA OF THE RECALL UNTIL I LOOKED INTO IT NOW. HOW CAN I GET MY TRUCK FIXED? *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 1, 2014 · crash

2002 Isuzu Rodeo — common questions

Is the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo reliable?

It is close to typical for the Rodeo: 121 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2002 Rodeo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (22 complaints), brakes (18 complaints), transmission (18 complaints).

Does the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 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.