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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.

About this comparison →
118Owner complaints

Model-year median: 89.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
82
1994176
199597
1996118
1997478
1998550
1999274
2000
Compare all Rodeo years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Structure
32Engine And Engine Cooling
16Wheels
14Air Bags
13Vehicle Speed Control
11
All reported categories
Power Train
10Service Brakes, Hydraulic
8Unknown Or Other
8Electrical System
7Suspension
7Tires
5Visibility
4Fuel System, Gasoline
3Fuel System, Other
3Seats
3Equipment
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Parking Brake
2Child Seat
1Exterior Lighting
1Interior Lighting
1Seat Belts
1Service Brakes
1Steering
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2023
SeatsUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

This specific car with this VIN number is missing the back window and just a piece of wood is covering where the window should be. Grocery bags and rags are sticking out of the wood. A 10 month old child travels in this car in freezing cold weather conditions. Back seat rests were also missing from this vehicle so child is very …

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This specific car with this VIN number is missing the back window and just a piece of wood is covering where the window should be. Grocery bags and rags are sticking out of the wood. A 10 month old child travels in this car in freezing cold weather conditions. Back seat rests were also missing from this vehicle so child is very unsafe in this vehicle

NHTSA ODI #11512624

123,333 miles · Jun 8, 2011
Unknown Or Other

UNDER FRAME HAS RUSTED AND CORRODED SO BADLY WE ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE.

NHTSA ODI #10406404

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2011
Unknown Or Other

I AM FILING THIS FOR MY 1997 ISUZU RODEO THAT MAY HAD A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395190

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…

Read full complaint

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 · Feb 22, 2001
Unknown Or Other

WHILE TRAVELING ENGINE INDICATION LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881068

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2000
Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #727590

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1999
Unknown Or Other

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMESON/OFF; NO APPARENT PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #703112

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1998
EquipmentFuel System, OtherUnknown Or Other

FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #536234

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.