Menu

1998 Isuzu RodeoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 478 owner complaints about the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

18
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid4.5× the Rodeo median · #2 of 14 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints478107 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage77kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 22, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo has problems

478 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic21166
Structure691
Suspension592
Engine and engine cooling394
Electrical system303
Vehicle speed control296
Power train221
Fuel system, gasoline172
Air bags1611
14 other systems9111

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1998 Isuzu Rodeo recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Suspension: rear

Recall 10V-436 · Sep 22, 2010 · 149,992 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Suspension: rear

Recall 00V-058 · Mar 2, 2000 · 213,736 vehicles

Risk. THE BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wiring: front underhood

Recall 98V-170 · Jul 24, 1998 · 55,475 vehicles

Risk. IF A TERMINAL IS FRACTURED, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAN RECEIVE AN ERRONEOUS SIGNAL INDICATING A HIGH VEHICLE SPEED, THEREBY CAUSING THE PCM TO CUT…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Unknown or other

Recall 97V-206 · Nov 13, 1997 · 233 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE A RESTRICTION OF THE PEDAL'S RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Isuzu.

Mileage at failure

When do service brakes, hydraulic problems start?

77kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 36 service brakes, hydraulic complaints. 72% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 31% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles26under 100k miles10100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Rodeo year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Rodeo median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1998 Isuzu Rodeo safety ratings

1998 Isuzu Rodeo 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1998 Isuzu Rodeo frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Rear Suspension Lower Link DetachmentEA09018 · closed Oct 15, 2010
    Led to recall 10V-436
  2. BRAKING SYSTEM/ABSEA99008 · closed Jul 31, 2002
    Led to recall 02I002000
  3. REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK FAILUREPE09030 · closed Dec 8, 2009
    Led to recall 10V-436
  4. BRAKING SYSTEM/ABSPE98051 · closed Mar 31, 1999
    No recall
  5. BROKEN ACCELERATOR PEDALPE98054 · closed Feb 18, 1999
    No recall
In owners' words

What Rodeo owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I BOUGHT A 1998 2WD ISUZU RODEO FROM A PRIVATE PARTY SIX MONTHS AGO. SINCE I BOUGHT IT, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCE (EVERY DAY, MAINLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD) THAT RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES AND CONTINUOUS ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS WARNING…
Complaint 10300246 · Jan 19, 2010 · 105,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PERIODICALLY. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER SAND OR GRAVEL ROADS. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO…
Complaint 10257319 · Feb 3, 2009 · 107,000 miles
I HAVE SOME VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES PERTAINING TO MY 1998 ISUZU RODEO. I READ SEVERAL BLOGS ON A FORUM FROM OTHER RODEO OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE WITH MINE. THE BIGGEST ONE IS THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE OTHER IS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND GAS GAUGE. THESE ARE TWO OF THE…
Complaint 10234880 · Jul 18, 2008 · 45,000 miles

Own a 1998 Rodeo?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.