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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

Power Train complaints

10 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 · 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 · Jan 2, 2002
Power Train

ORIGINAL PART FAILED AT 44,000 MILES. IDENTICAL PROBLEM. ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #756295

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2001
Power Train

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #754885

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2000
Power Train

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT I HAVE ONLY HAD FOR 3 MONTHS. THE DEALER IS OF NO HELP AND I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO!!NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #724337

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

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Fuel System, OtherPower TrainSeat Belts

GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK. SEAT BELT LOCKS WHILE IN USE. TRANSMISSION SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #609440

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 1998
Power TrainSuspensionWheels

WHILE HAVING TIRES ROTATED, THE LUGS: NUTS BROKE. HAD THE HUB REPLACED. REAR AXLE WORE HOLE IN HUB. FRONT WAS MAKING NOISE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #829696

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CLUTCH HAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS, CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO SHIFT WHEN APPLIED. VEHICLE ALSO STALLS, CAUSING NON-MOVEMENT OF VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #821864

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.