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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

Visibility complaints

4 reports
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91,000 miles · Nov 7, 2003
Visibility

I OWN A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY PRIVATE DRIVEWAY ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 26, 2003. I EXITED THE VEHICLE CLOSING MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY THE ENTIRE BACK WINDSHIELD SHATTERED FOR NO REASON. THE GLASS WAS NOT FRACTURED OR BROKEN PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, NOR DID ANY OBJECT HIT THE WINDSHIEL…

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I OWN A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY PRIVATE DRIVEWAY ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 26, 2003. I EXITED THE VEHICLE CLOSING MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY THE ENTIRE BACK WINDSHIELD SHATTERED FOR NO REASON. THE GLASS WAS NOT FRACTURED OR BROKEN PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, NOR DID ANY OBJECT HIT THE WINDSHIELD IT JUST SHATTERED. THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE AND ISUZU FELT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM COST ME $527 TO REPLACE. QUITE A SET BACK FOR AN INDEPENDENT COLLEGE STUDENT. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, WHICH ISUZU WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY MOST INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WERE SAFETY HAZARDS AND HAD SOMEONE BEEN A PASSENGER IN THE BACK OF VEHICLE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. PLEASE HELP I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS VEHICLE. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10045670

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 · Jan 7, 1999
Visibility

WINDSHIELD LAMINATION IS DEFECTIVE CAUSING FOGGING AND POOR VISIBILITY.

NHTSA ODI #543287

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 1998
TiresVisibility

WINDSHIELD LAMINATION DEFECTIVE CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY (COMPONENT LOCATED BETWEEN LAYERS OF GLASS).

NHTSA ODI #542366

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.