ISUZU RODEO FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED . THE ISUZU CORP WANT TO FIX WITH REAR BRACKETS THIS WILL NOT FIX THE SUV NEEDS A WHOLE NEW FRAME ONE THAT IS MADE OUT OF GOOD STEEL AND INCLOSED AND COATED . NOT ISPECTABLE IN MY STATE . WE WANT A REFUND THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THE REAL KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE. *LN
2001 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Rodeo Sport years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
37 reports with mileage · 12 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
20 reportsI OWN A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT WITH ABOUT 144,000 MILES ON IT WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 2001. THE REAR SECTION OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH ON BOTH SIDES IN SOME AREAS AND THE LOWER LINK SUPPORTS ARE ALSO RUSTING OFF. I CALLED ISUZU MOTORS AMERICA OWNERS RELATION DEPARTMENT (800) 255-6727 AND SPOKE TO KAREN WHO INDICATED T…
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I OWN A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT WITH ABOUT 144,000 MILES ON IT WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 2001. THE REAR SECTION OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH ON BOTH SIDES IN SOME AREAS AND THE LOWER LINK SUPPORTS ARE ALSO RUSTING OFF. I CALLED ISUZU MOTORS AMERICA OWNERS RELATION DEPARTMENT (800) 255-6727 AND SPOKE TO KAREN WHO INDICATED THAT SHE IS THEIR 'NATIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER' IN ANAHEIM CA. (KAREN WOULD NOT PROVIDE HER LAST NAME, STATING THAT SHE IS THE ONLY KAREN EMPLOYED BY ISUZU(?), NOR WOULD SHE ALLOW ME TO SPEAK TO ANYONE ELSE WHEN I ASKED). KAREN INFORMED ME THAT ISUZU ALONG WITH THE NHTSA HAVE DECIDED THAT THEIR RECALL CAMPAIGN # 10V436000 DOES NOT INCLUDE RODEO SPORTS, EVEN THOUGH THE SPORT IS LISTED ON THE ODI REPORT. (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE09030). SHE STATED THAT THE FRAMES ARE DIFFERENT ON THE RODEO SPORT VS. THE REGULAR RODEO (I ALSO OWN A 2003 RODEO LS). WHEN I ASKED HER WHAT THE DIFFERENCE WAS, SHE COULD NOT TELL ME. WHEN I ASKED HER WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IN MATERIALS USED WAS, SHE COULD NOT TELL ME. SHE PRETTY MUCH WAS NOT CARING OF MY COMPLAINT AND DID NOTHING MORE THAN TAKING MY NAME AND TELLING ME THAT SHE'LL OPEN A FILE AND TELLING ME NOT TO EXPECT ANYTHING ELSE TO HAPPEN. I SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON RODEO SPORTS AND WONDER WHY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS. WHY ARE THEY ONLY COVERING THE RODEO AND NOT THE RODEO SPORT?? THE WHOLE EXCUSE ABOUT DIFFERENT FRAMES IS A MOOT POINT SINCE THE RODEO SPORT FRAME IS ALSO RUSTING THROUGH. WHY DO WE, AS CONSUMERS HAVE TO LOSE THE USE OF OUR VEHICLES BECAUSE OF POOR QUALITY MATERIALS USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE MAINTAINED MY RODEO SPORT VERY WELL AND EXPECTED TO DRIVE IT AT LEAST 200,000 MILES OR MORE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN THE INTEREST OF US CONSUMERS BY ISUZU AND THE NHTSA. I HOPE TO HEAR BACK ABOUT A SUITABLE RESOLUTION SOON. *TR
I OWNED A 2001 ISUZU RODEO THAT I JUST HAD TO GET RID OF BECAUSE OF THE FRAME ROTTING IN HALF. I AM NOW IN A SITUATION WHERE I HAVE TO HAVE CAR PAYMENT. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE FRAME, I WOULD STILL HAVE THE ISUZU BECAUSE MECHANICALLY IT WAS FINE BUT IMAGINE MY HORROR WHEN THE GARAGE TOLD ME I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF…
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I OWNED A 2001 ISUZU RODEO THAT I JUST HAD TO GET RID OF BECAUSE OF THE FRAME ROTTING IN HALF. I AM NOW IN A SITUATION WHERE I HAVE TO HAVE CAR PAYMENT. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE FRAME, I WOULD STILL HAVE THE ISUZU BECAUSE MECHANICALLY IT WAS FINE BUT IMAGINE MY HORROR WHEN THE GARAGE TOLD ME I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE FRAME ROTTING IN HALF. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,910.
FRAME DETERIORATION REPORTED BY MY MECHANIC, STEPS WERE TAKEN TO REINFORCE THE FRAME. AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *TR
2001 RODEO LS WITH SIGNIFICANT FRAME RUST....I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH RUST....THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW. *TR
MY BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IN THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND ON THE NEXT OCCASION, THE REAR BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE OF A NEAR ACCIDENT WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AND IT FAILING TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP. EVENTUALLY STOPPING. THE NEXT TIME, IT ACTUALLY DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I HIT THE BACK OF A M…
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MY BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IN THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND ON THE NEXT OCCASION, THE REAR BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE OF A NEAR ACCIDENT WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AND IT FAILING TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP. EVENTUALLY STOPPING. THE NEXT TIME, IT ACTUALLY DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I HIT THE BACK OF A MINIVAN, THEN A SEDAN AND SUV CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. WHEN I GOT MY BRAKES REPLACED AFTER THAT, I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN LESS THAN A BLOCK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. THEN DRIVING TO WORK, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES STILL WEREN'T RESPONDING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY, AND HAD THE MECHANIC DRIVE AROUND AND DRIVE THE CAR WITH ME. HE FELT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IT KEPT HAPPENING. I PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE. IT STIFFENS UP, THEN MAKES SOME CLICKING SOUNDS, AND THE CAR JUST GLIDES, I.E. KEEPS ON MOVING. THAT IS NOT SAFE!! I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR OR TAKE ANY LONG DISTANCE TRIPS BECAUSE OF THE APPREHENSION OF MY BRAKES FAILING AS USUAL. FINALLY, I WENT BACK ONCE AGAIN TO THE MECHANICS AND EXPLAINED WHAT EXACTLY THE BRAKES ARE DOING, AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE THINKS THAT IT IS THE "BRAKE SENSOR" DUE TO THE RUST AROUND IT. AND THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE ON THESE MODEL SUVS. SO FOR THE PAST YEAR, I CAME IN THERE WITH SENSOR "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT (2X), AND BRAKE PROBLEMS (2X) BOTH OF WHICH CAUSED ME TO NOT GET AN INSPECTION PASS UNTIL THEY WERE FIXED. I THINK THAT IT ALL HAD TO DO WITH THE SENSOR NOT WORKING ON MY BRAKES. I JUST SAW AN INVESTIGATION DONE ON MY LOCAL NEWS STATION ABOUT THE BOTTOMS OF THESE SUVS COMING APART WITH NO WARNING. ONE WOMAN EVEN PULLED SOMETHING OFF WITH HER BARE HANDS. I BOUGHT MY CARE IN 2001 WITH 9000 MILES ON IT. I DID NOT NOTICE UNTIL A FEW DAYS LATER, THAT THE BOTTOM JOINTS SHOWED A LOT OF RUST. I WAS SHOCKED AND EMBARRASSED. I ASKED ABOUT THE RUST THEN AND CONTINUE TO, AND THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS, THAT'S LIVING IN NEW ENGLAND. BUT I GOT THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR USED. ALREADY RUSTED. *TR
THE ENTIRE UNDERBODY OF MY VEHICLE IS SO ROTTED THAT THE FRAME TO THE VEHICLE HAS FALLEN APART. WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE TORQUE ARM FROM THE FRAME TO THE REAR END COMPLETELY FELL OFF. THE CAR BEGAN SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHICH RESULTED IN THE OTHER SIDE TO FALL OFF. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. A MECHANIC INSPECTED UNDERNEATH T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. A MECHANIC INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE TORQUE WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000.
I HAVE A BLACK GOO OOZING FROM AROUND THE LOWER PART OF MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS AND IS ALSO COMING IN AROUND THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES AS OF NOW THE DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. DEALER HAS DETERMINED THIS TO BE FROM THE GLUE USED TO ADHERE THE INNER DOOR MOISTURE BARRIER. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I PURCHASE…
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I HAVE A BLACK GOO OOZING FROM AROUND THE LOWER PART OF MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS AND IS ALSO COMING IN AROUND THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES AS OF NOW THE DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. DEALER HAS DETERMINED THIS TO BE FROM THE GLUE USED TO ADHERE THE INNER DOOR MOISTURE BARRIER. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE NEW IN 2001. ISUZU HAS CONTINUALLY DENIED RESPONSIBILITY STATING IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW THAT MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED THEY STILL WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM FIRST DENYING SUCH A PROBLEM EXISTS, TELLING MY HUSBAND IT IS TRUE, THEN DENYING EVEN SPEAKING TO MY HUSBAND. IT HAS BEEN A SAFETY HAZARD FROM THE START (STARTING IN AUGUST 2002 WHEN DEALERSHIP FIRST STARTED JUST CLEANING OFF THE GOO FROM THE LOWER INNER DOOR JAM)) NOW COMPLICATED SINCE I CAN NO LONGER OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR FROM THE INSIDE AND IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE. FOR ME THE COST IS MORE THAN I CAN BEAR...BUT WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY MY HARD EARNED MONEY FOR A DEFECT IN MATERIALS I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER. *NM
Official recalls
100V298000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Oct 5, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF CERTAIN FUEL RETURN HOSES, INCORRECT RUBBER MATERIAL FOR THE OUTER LAYER WAS USED.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE09030 · Rear Suspension Lower Link Failure
Opened Jun 16, 2009 · Closed Dec 8, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear
DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE09-030, ISUZU MOTORS AMERICA, INC (ISUZU) NOTED TWO PRIMARY DIFFERENCES ONCE THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK SEPARATION OCCURS BETWEEN THE ALLEGED DEFECT (SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE FRAME) OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND A SAFETY DEFECT INVOLVING LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE REAR AXLE ADDRESSED BY ISUZU IN SAFETY RECALL 00V-058.IN THE CASE OF THE DEFECT CONDITION IDENTIFIED IN RECALL 00V-058, ISUZU STATED THAT THE ATTACHMENT BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE POSSIBLY CREATING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ISUZU ALSO STATED THAT THIS CONDITION OCCURS EARLY IN THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.IN THIS INVESTIGATION ISUZU NOTED LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME IS A PROGRESSIVE CORROSION ISSUE WITH PRIOR WARNING TO CONSUMERS.ISUZU ALSO STATED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME, THE VEHICLE IS STILL CONTROLLABLE AND CAN BE SAFELY STOPPED. THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) ANALYZED COMPLAINT DATA PROVIDED BY ISUZU AND AMERICA HONDA MOTOR COMPANY, INC (HONDA), AS WELL AS VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRES SUBMITTED TO ODI FROM CONSUMERS.IN TOTAL, THERE WERE 60 UNIQUE REPORTS OF LOWER LINK SEPARATIONS FROM THE FRAME INCLUDING 1 ALLEGED CRASH AND 7 LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCIDENTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THESE COMPLAINTS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE LINK SEPARATION.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-018) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE09-030, ISUZU MOTORS AMERICA, INC (ISUZU) NOTED TWO PRIMARY DIFFERENCES ONCE THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK SEPARATION OCCURS BETWEEN THE ALLEGED DEFECT (SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE FRAME) OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND A SAFETY DEFECT INVOLVING LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE REAR AXLE ADDRESSED BY ISUZU IN SAFETY RECALL 00V-058.IN THE CASE OF THE DEFECT CONDITION IDENTIFIED IN RECALL 00V-058, ISUZU STATED THAT THE ATTACHMENT BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE POSSIBLY CREATING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ISUZU ALSO STATED THAT THIS CONDITION OCCURS EARLY IN THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.IN THIS INVESTIGATION ISUZU NOTED LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME IS A PROGRESSIVE CORROSION ISSUE WITH PRIOR WARNING TO CONSUMERS.ISUZU ALSO STATED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME, THE VEHICLE IS STILL CONTROLLABLE AND CAN BE SAFELY STOPPED. THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) ANALYZED COMPLAINT DATA PROVIDED BY ISUZU AND AMERICA HONDA MOTOR COMPANY, INC (HONDA), AS WELL AS VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRES SUBMITTED TO ODI FROM CONSUMERS.IN TOTAL, THERE WERE 60 UNIQUE REPORTS OF LOWER LINK SEPARATIONS FROM THE FRAME INCLUDING 1 ALLEGED CRASH AND 7 LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCIDENTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THESE COMPLAINTS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE LINK SEPARATION.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-018) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Suspension:rear
DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE09-030, ISUZU MOTORS AMERICA, INC (ISUZU) NOTED TWO PRIMARY DIFFERENCES ONCE THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK SEPARATION OCCURS BETWEEN THE ALLEGED DEFECT (SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE FRAME) OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND A SAFETY DEFECT INVOLVING LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE REAR AXLE ADDRESSED BY ISUZU IN SAFETY RECALL 00V-058.IN THE CASE OF THE DEFECT CONDITION IDENTIFIED IN RECALL 00V-058, ISUZU STATED THAT THE ATTACHMENT BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE POSSIBLY CREATING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ISUZU ALSO STATED THAT THIS CONDITION OCCURS EARLY IN THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.IN THIS INVESTIGATION ISUZU NOTED LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME IS A PROGRESSIVE CORROSION ISSUE WITH PRIOR WARNING TO CONSUMERS.ISUZU ALSO STATED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A LOWER LINK SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME, THE VEHICLE IS STILL CONTROLLABLE AND CAN BE SAFELY STOPPED. THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) ANALYZED COMPLAINT DATA PROVIDED BY ISUZU AND AMERICA HONDA MOTOR COMPANY, INC (HONDA), AS WELL AS VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRES SUBMITTED TO ODI FROM CONSUMERS.IN TOTAL, THERE WERE 60 UNIQUE REPORTS OF LOWER LINK SEPARATIONS FROM THE FRAME INCLUDING 1 ALLEGED CRASH AND 7 LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCIDENTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THESE COMPLAINTS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE LINK SEPARATION.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-018) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Illustration