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1997 Isuzu Rodeo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Isuzu Rodeo do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 89.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

41 reports with mileage · 77 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 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Wheels. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports0 fire reports10 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

7 reports
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10,000 miles · May 2, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages

2006 I PURCHASED 1997 ISUZU RODEO. NOT LONG AFTER WE NOTICED ENGINE MADE A TICKING SOUND BROUGHT IT TO SHOP AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS NO OIL PRESSURE. WE HAD TO HAVE ENGINE REPLACED IT TOOK ABOUT 2 MONTHS. THEY HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE 2. FIRST ONE THEY INSTALLED WAS ALSO BLOWN. ENGINE STILL TICKS. THERE IS ALSO PROBLEMS WITH TH…

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2006 I PURCHASED 1997 ISUZU RODEO. NOT LONG AFTER WE NOTICED ENGINE MADE A TICKING SOUND BROUGHT IT TO SHOP AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS NO OIL PRESSURE. WE HAD TO HAVE ENGINE REPLACED IT TOOK ABOUT 2 MONTHS. THEY HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE 2. FIRST ONE THEY INSTALLED WAS ALSO BLOWN. ENGINE STILL TICKS. THERE IS ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE SUV WANTING TO ACCELERATE WHILE AT A STOP. SOMETIMES NOT EVEN HOLDING THE BREAK FIRM STOPS IT FROM ROLLING. THE HEATER CORE STARTED LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE VEHICLE. THE REPLACEMENT FEE JUST FOR THE PART IS 400.00. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS OF AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328399

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2003
Electrical System

1997 ISUZU RODEO. HAS REQUIRED 4 ALTERNATORS ABOUT 18 MONTHS APART. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023425

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGEERS AUTOMATIC WINDOWS HAVE BROKEN. THE MIDDLE CONSOLE IS BROKEN. THE HOOKS FOR THE BACK SEAT DO NOT LATCH THE SEAT AND THE SEAT FLIES FORWARD DURING BRAKING (A DISTRACTING HAZZARD). THE ENGINE MAKES A TICKING NOISE. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO GET TOO HOT. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO SMELL OF OIL EVEN AFTER SHO…

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BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGEERS AUTOMATIC WINDOWS HAVE BROKEN. THE MIDDLE CONSOLE IS BROKEN. THE HOOKS FOR THE BACK SEAT DO NOT LATCH THE SEAT AND THE SEAT FLIES FORWARD DURING BRAKING (A DISTRACTING HAZZARD). THE ENGINE MAKES A TICKING NOISE. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO GET TOO HOT. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO SMELL OF OIL EVEN AFTER SHORT TRIPS. THE BELTS MAKE LOUD NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS JUST STARTING - I JUST HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE STATION AND THE SERVICE MAN SAID HE DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10020705

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TIME AFTER TIME,1997 ISUZU RODEO WHICH COSTING ME ABOUT 24000.00 DOLLARS WITH HIGH INTEREST,NOW PROBLEM WITH CRANK SHAFT STICKING OUT ABOUT 1 AND A HALF INCHES WHEN YOU MASH DOWN ON CLUTCH IN WHICH SERVICE MECHANICS SAY IT SHOULD NOT DO,AND THAT IT IS COMING OUT TOO MUCH. ABS LIGHT STAYS ON,TICKING SOUND CO…

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PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TIME AFTER TIME,1997 ISUZU RODEO WHICH COSTING ME ABOUT 24000.00 DOLLARS WITH HIGH INTEREST,NOW PROBLEM WITH CRANK SHAFT STICKING OUT ABOUT 1 AND A HALF INCHES WHEN YOU MASH DOWN ON CLUTCH IN WHICH SERVICE MECHANICS SAY IT SHOULD NOT DO,AND THAT IT IS COMING OUT TOO MUCH. ABS LIGHT STAYS ON,TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE LIKE THE VALVES. CAN NOT PAY ON IT GOOD BECAUSE I AM ALWAYS SPENDING MONEY TO TRY TO KEEP IT RUNNING. PAYMENT OF 384.00 DOLLARS PER MONTH FOR 5 YEARS. PURCHASED FROM THOMSON GEORGIA JEEP AND DODGE DEALERSHIP. BURNING OUT ALTERNATORS WHICH COST ME OVER 180.00 DOLLARS TWICE,COUPLE OF STARTERS,PICK-UP SWITCH,REAR END SQUEAKING,CRANK AND CAM SENSORS. IT HAS BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER AND I DO NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF MONEY TO KEEP SPENDING ON REPAIRS AND TRY TO MAKE PAYMENTS. MAKES ME WONDER WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE BEFORE I BOUGHT IT,AND WHAT ITS HISTORY WAS. EVEN HAS FOUL FUME ODORS A LOT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019031

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

HAD BRAKES COMPLETELY REPLACED 3 TIMES. MAKES WEIRD TRAIN-LIKE SOUND OVER 25 MPH; OVERHEATS WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT-NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG; AT NO PARTICULAR TIME, IF YOU SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, IT WON'T START BACK UP, TURN OVER, OR MAKE A SOUND EXCEPT FOR ALL THE DASH LIGHTS AN…

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HAD BRAKES COMPLETELY REPLACED 3 TIMES. MAKES WEIRD TRAIN-LIKE SOUND OVER 25 MPH; OVERHEATS WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT-NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG; AT NO PARTICULAR TIME, IF YOU SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, IT WON'T START BACK UP, TURN OVER, OR MAKE A SOUND EXCEPT FOR ALL THE DASH LIGHTS AND NOISES (BEEP BEEP BEEP); HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED-STUCK IN OVERDRIVE; STRONG ROTTEN-EGG ODOR SINCE PURCHASE; SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING; HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED-WHEN YOU STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE AMMETER GOES DOWN-NOW IT IS DOING THAT AGAIN; DASH LIGTHS COME AND GO-GET DIMMER AND BRIGHTER FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE AC NEVER WORKED RIGHT. HEADLIGHTS GET DIM WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765755

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2000
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

RPMS WENT DOWN AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, THAT WAS THE ONLY LIGHT THAT CAME ON, CONSUMER TRIED TO GIVE CAR A JUMP, BUT IT KEPT DYING. TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #861634

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 1999
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

THE TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES & ITS GETTING WORSE WHEN SHIFTING; THE FRONT ROLL BAR GRILLE FELL OFF 3 TIMES; THE 4 FUEL INJECTORS BLEW; THE TRUNK DO NOT OPEN, EVEN WITH KEY; THE FUEL GUAGE FAILS TO REGISTER PROPERLY; THE ROOF IS RUSTY CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INSIDE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE.…

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THE TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES & ITS GETTING WORSE WHEN SHIFTING; THE FRONT ROLL BAR GRILLE FELL OFF 3 TIMES; THE 4 FUEL INJECTORS BLEW; THE TRUNK DO NOT OPEN, EVEN WITH KEY; THE FUEL GUAGE FAILS TO REGISTER PROPERLY; THE ROOF IS RUSTY CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INSIDE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE. *YC

NHTSA ODI #852423

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.