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2001 Isuzu Rodeo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Rodeo years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo are substantially higher than the model-year median of 89.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

288 reports with mileage · 101 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 214 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 115 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports3 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

389 reports
65,000 miles · Oct 25, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL AND BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARMS HAD DISCONNECTED DUE TO CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL AND BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARMS HAD DISCONNECTED DUE TO CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROL ARMS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10362203

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2010
Structure

WATCHED CHANNEL 5 WCVB BOSTON AND THERE WAS A REPORT ABOUT RUSTED/RUSTING FRAMES OF ISUZU'S WANTED TO KNOW HOW DO WE (ISUZU OWNERS) GO ABOUT PROTECTING OURSELVES IN THE EVENT THAT SOMETHING HAPPENS OR NOT HOW IS THIS TO BE HANDLED AND BY WHOM? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361037

116,382 miles · Oct 15, 2010
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO CORROSION AND RUST. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE WHERE SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO CORROSION AND RUST. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE WHERE SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,382. UPDATED 01/24/11 *CN UPDATED 02/07/11

NHTSA ODI #10360633

110,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DETECTED THAT THE REAR BRACKET COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO RUST CORROSION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DETECTED THAT THE REAR BRACKET COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO RUST CORROSION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V436000 (SUSPENSION: REAR). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT AN APPROPRIATE REMEDY REPAIR AND POSSIBLY BY THE END OF THE 2010 FISCAL YEAR THERE WOULD BE ONE IN EFFECT. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HER ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10360277

133,577 miles · Oct 8, 2010
Structure

MY ISUZU RODEO FRAME RUSTED OUT AND PART THAT SUPPORT THE DRIVER REAR WHEEL CAME LOOSE FROM THE FRAME BECAUSE OF RUST, ME AND MY WIFE WAS ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME AND WITH GODS LOVE WE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT, BUT NOW THE SUV IS NOW SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359664

90,000 miles · Oct 5, 2010
Structure

A PIECE OF THE FRAME FROM UNDERNEATH MY 2001 ISUZU RODEO HAS BROKEN OFF MAKING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. IT ONLY HAS 90,000 MILES AND THEY TELL ME THE FRAME IS 100% RUST AND CAN'T BE WELDED/REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359304

114,000 miles · Oct 5, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OF THE FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY INFORMED OF A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V436000 (SUSPENSION: REAR). IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OF THE FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY INFORMED OF A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V436000 (SUSPENSION: REAR). IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL DID NOT PROVIDE AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. ALSO, HE DISAGREED WITH THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 01/11/2011*LJ UPDATED 04/01/11

NHTSA ODI #10359288

140,900 miles · Oct 5, 2010
Structure

I HAVE A 2001 ISUZU RODEO THAT HAS SEVERE ROT AND RUST ON THE ENTIRE FRAME. I AM FEARFUL THAT IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359220

97,000 miles · Oct 4, 2010
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO HITCH A TRAILER AND OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVED WITH THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10359113

95,000 miles · Oct 1, 2010
Structure

THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR FELL OUT ON MY 2001 ISUZU RODEO WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE CAR TILTED TO THE RIGHT, IT FELT LIKE THE TIRES FELL OFF THE CAR. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. HE THEN INSPECTED THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT WHOLE BOTTOM OF THE CAR WAS ROTTED OUT, AND IT WAS NOT FIXABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358757

Official recalls

4

10V436000 · Suspension:rear

Sep 22, 2010

ISUZU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2002 ISUZU RODEO AND MODEL YEAR 2002 ISUZU AXIOM VEHICLES, AND HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1998-2002 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES, THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED, IN THE STATES OF MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, AND KENTUCKY. VEHICLES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SUSTAINED EXPOSURE TO HIGHLY CORROSIVE MATERIALS USED IN SOME JURISDICTIONS FOR ROAD DEICING PURPOSES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE VICINITY OF THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT BRACKET FOR THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK PRIOR TO THE TIME THAT SUCH CORROSION WOULD NORMALLY BE EXPECTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EXCESSIVE CORROSION MAY RESULT IN THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AREA. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH LITTLE OR NO CORROSION IS FOUND, THE AREA WILL BE TREATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE COMPOUND. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH CORROSION HAS DAMAGED THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AND AFFECTED ITS CONNECTION TO THE VEHICLE FRAME, A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED. IN THE RARE EVENT THE CORROSION IS SO SEVERE THAT THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKET REMEDY WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE, A REPURCHASE OFFER WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE VEHICLE'S OWNER. ALL INSPECTIONS AND REMEDIES WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE 10 YEARS OLD OR LESS. FOR VEHICLES OLDER THAN 10 YEARS, ISUZU WILL OFFER A FREE REMEDY, BUT ONLY IF THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN ISUZU SERVICE FACILITY, OR HONDA DEALER (AS APPLICABLE), DEALER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF WHEN OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WERE ISSUED. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. ISUZU OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727. HONDA OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

02V213000 · Air Bags:frontal

Aug 9, 2002

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WERE MANUFACTURED AND SHIPPED WITHOUT A NECESSARY COMPONENT KNOWN AS A CHECK VALVE PIN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT INFLATE PROPERLY OR SUFFICIENTLY RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-643-4070.

01V055000 · Air Bags:frontal

Feb 22, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE INFLATORS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULES HAVING THE WRONG AMOUNT OF GENERANT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT WOULD TRIGGER A PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, TOO MUCH GENERANT CAN CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE. IF THE AIR BAG MODULE EXPLODES, METAL AND PLASTIC DEBRIS COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG UNIT.

00V298000 · 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

3

DP18001 · Fuel Tank Retention Failure

Opened May 23, 2018 · Closed Mar 5, 2020

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

On April 10, 2018, NHTSA received a petition from Mr. Kevin Byrne (the Petitioner) requesting that the Agency ?undertake a defects investigation? of ?rust-related detachment of Isuzu Rodeo fuel tanks? (NHTSA ID 11091788). The Petitioner experienced a partial fuel tank detachment in his model year (MY) 2004 Isuzu Rodeo in July 2017. On May 23, 2018, ODI opened DP18-001 to evaluate the Petitioner?s request for a defect investigation. ODI sent information request letters to Isuzu and Honda requesting production, design history and field data related to fuel tank retention failures in MY 2001-2004 Isuzu Rodeo, MY 2002-2004 Isuzu Axiom and MY 2001-2002 Honda Passport vehicles equipped with the same fuel tank shield part number as the Petitioner?s vehicle (the ?subject vehicles?). ODI notes that Isuzu manufactured the subject Passport vehicles for Honda. Isuzu implemented a change to the tank shield corrosion protection system as a running change in early MY 2002 production. Isuzu and Honda sold approximately 172,000 subject vehicles in the United States. Fifty-eight (58) percent of the subject vehicles were produced prior to the shield change (99,000) and 42 percent after the change (73,000).ODI?s analysis of field data identified 19 incidents of partial fuel tank detachments in the subject vehicles. The incidents all occurred in states with high road salt usage in winter months (Salt States) and involved older vehicles beyond 10-years in service. On average, the failures occurred in the vehicle?s 13th year-in-service. Evidence of severe general corrosion in multiple undercarriage components was also noted in 13 of the 19 vehicles that experienced partial fuel tank detachments. None of the incidents resulted in fuel leakage or fire. Aside from the petitioner?s vehicle, ODI has not identified any other incidents of complete or partial fuel tank detachment in the MY 2002-2004 subject vehicles equipped with the modified retention shield.In addition, ODI reviewed 24 NHTSA complaints alleging corrosion concerns with the fuel tank retention system in the subject vehicles that did not result in fuel tank detachment. Twenty-three (23) of these complaints involve subject vehicles built prior to the shield change. Like the vehicles reporting fuel tank detachments, these vehicles are also all from Salt States and, in most cases (20 of the 24 complaints), the vehicles also experienced severe corrosion concerns in other undercarriage components. Half (12 of the 24 complaints) of the vehicles show prior accident damage in their service histories.Based on these analyses, ODI has not identified evidence of a defect trend for premature corrosion-related fuel tank detachments in the MY 2004 Isuzu Rodeo or similarly equipped vehicles. The damage that may result in tank retention concerns appears to occur progressively over many years with ample opportunity for detection and repair. Furthermore, ODI has not identified any crashes, fires, injuries, or fuel leaks associated with fuel tank retention failures in a population of vehicles that currently range from 16 to 19 years old.Accordingly, the Agency is denying the petition.A summary of ODI?s analysis of this petition will be published in the Federal Register and is also available in the investigative file for this action.The NHTSA consumer complaints counted in the closing resume for DP18-001 can be reviewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers (VOQs in parentheses denote duplicate records): Allegations of fuel tank retention failure: 11084098 (11091788), 10532845, 10486109. Allegations of fuel tank retention component corrosion: 11138931, 10992150, 10845523,

EA09018 · Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment

Opened Dec 7, 2009 · Closed Oct 15, 2010

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear

On September 22, 2010, Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall 10V-436) to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration affecting approximately 120,000 model year (MY) 1998-2002 Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport vehicles and MY 2002 Isuzu Axiom vehicles originally sold, or currently operated, in the following states:Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. All vehicle owners will receive the recall notification.Vehicles 10 years of age or younger will be provided with a free remedy.For vehicles older than 10 years, Isuzu will offer a free remedy provided the vehicle is presented to an Isuzu service facility or a Honda dealer (as applicable) no later than twelve (12) months after the date of mailing of the notification letter to the owner.The report describes a condition where vehicles operated in states using certain road deicing materials may exhibit excessive corrosion which may result in the left or right rear suspension lower link bracket becoming detached from the frame.According to Isuzu a detached lower link may affect vehicle handling and potentially cause a crash.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data and found that 114 of the 115 (99%) alleged complete lower link separations from the frame occurred in vehicles originally sold or operated in a state covered by the recall. Of these complaints 2 involved alleged crashes and 21 involved alleged loss of control incidents.The alleged crashes and loss of control incidents all occurred in vehicles operated in a state covered by the safety recall.Isuzu's recall instructs dealers to inspect the rear suspension lower link bracket area to determine if corrosion is present.For vehicles in which corrosion has damaged the lower link bracket area and affected its connection to the vehicle frame, a reinforcement bracket will be installed.For vehicles with no visible signs of corrosion, dealers with apply anti-corrosion material to reduce the likelihood of corrosion developing in the future. Based on Isuzu's safety recall, this Engineering Analysis is closed.A copy of the recall may be assessed on NHTSA's website using the reference number above.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

On September 22, 2010, Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall 10V-436) to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration affecting approximately 120,000 model year (MY) 1998-2002 Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport vehicles and MY 2002 Isuzu Axiom vehicles originally sold, or currently operated, in the following states:Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. All vehicle owners will receive the recall notification.Vehicles 10 years of age or younger will be provided with a free remedy.For vehicles older than 10 years, Isuzu will offer a free remedy provided the vehicle is presented to an Isuzu service facility or a Honda dealer (as applicable) no later than twelve (12) months after the date of mailing of the notification letter to the owner.The report describes a condition where vehicles operated in states using certain road deicing materials may exhibit excessive corrosion which may result in the left or right rear suspension lower link bracket becoming detached from the frame.According to Isuzu a detached lower link may affect vehicle handling and potentially cause a crash.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data and found that 114 of the 115 (99%) alleged complete lower link separations from the frame occurred in vehicles originally sold or operated in a state covered by the recall. Of these complaints 2 involved alleged crashes and 21 involved alleged loss of control incidents.The alleged crashes and loss of control incidents all occurred in vehicles operated in a state covered by the safety recall.Isuzu's recall instructs dealers to inspect the rear suspension lower link bracket area to determine if corrosion is present.For vehicles in which corrosion has damaged the lower link bracket area and affected its connection to the vehicle frame, a reinforcement bracket will be installed.For vehicles with no visible signs of corrosion, dealers with apply anti-corrosion material to reduce the likelihood of corrosion developing in the future. Based on Isuzu's safety recall, this Engineering Analysis is closed.A copy of the recall may be assessed on NHTSA's website using the reference number above.

Suspension:rear

On September 22, 2010, Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall 10V-436) to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration affecting approximately 120,000 model year (MY) 1998-2002 Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport vehicles and MY 2002 Isuzu Axiom vehicles originally sold, or currently operated, in the following states:Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. All vehicle owners will receive the recall notification.Vehicles 10 years of age or younger will be provided with a free remedy.For vehicles older than 10 years, Isuzu will offer a free remedy provided the vehicle is presented to an Isuzu service facility or a Honda dealer (as applicable) no later than twelve (12) months after the date of mailing of the notification letter to the owner.The report describes a condition where vehicles operated in states using certain road deicing materials may exhibit excessive corrosion which may result in the left or right rear suspension lower link bracket becoming detached from the frame.According to Isuzu a detached lower link may affect vehicle handling and potentially cause a crash.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data and found that 114 of the 115 (99%) alleged complete lower link separations from the frame occurred in vehicles originally sold or operated in a state covered by the recall. Of these complaints 2 involved alleged crashes and 21 involved alleged loss of control incidents.The alleged crashes and loss of control incidents all occurred in vehicles operated in a state covered by the safety recall.Isuzu's recall instructs dealers to inspect the rear suspension lower link bracket area to determine if corrosion is present.For vehicles in which corrosion has damaged the lower link bracket area and affected its connection to the vehicle frame, a reinforcement bracket will be installed.For vehicles with no visible signs of corrosion, dealers with apply anti-corrosion material to reduce the likelihood of corrosion developing in the future. Based on Isuzu's safety recall, this Engineering Analysis is closed.A copy of the recall may be assessed on NHTSA's website using the reference number above.

PE09030 · 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.