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Isuzu Rodeo SportModel year report

2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
120,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl RWD · 15 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport. The part named most often is suspension, with 9 complaints (39% of the total), followed by body and structure (6) and engine cooling (3). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 16% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 120,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Suspension: “At last inspection, I was told by my mechanic that there is a lot of rear frame rust on my vehicle, and it may not be safe to drive as the rust progresses. There was a recall on these vehicles, but I never received a notice. I bought my 2002 Isuzu in sept. Of 2012. I'm afraid to drive my vehicle, and I would never sell it in the condition it is, I believe its not safe. I need a remedy.”

NHTSA complaint #10898314, filed 2016-08, 124,000 miles

Body and structure: “I am an owner in ky of a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport 2-door vehicle. Isuzu has issued a recall for the 4 door version of this vehicle. My Rodeo Sport has had the same failure that the 4-door version has been recalled for, but is not covered under the current recall. The existing recall is for rusting and failure of the rear suspension lower link bracket.”

NHTSA complaint #10422997, filed 2011-09, 115,392 miles

Engine cooling: “Suv will stall when you give it gas, it will start to shake and the check transmission light and the cruise control light all come on, then the vehicle goes dead. Sometimes if you hit a bump it will just turn off. This happens on an almost daily bases, and the dealer states there is nothing wrong with it, I have changed multiple parts at there prompting to fix this, they have all failed, they continue to tell me there is nothing wrong, this is very dangerous and could be fatal to my son who drives this vehicle. It stalls in the middle of the highway.”

NHTSA complaint #10162758, filed 2006-07, 91,010 miles

Equipment: “I have had my Rodeo Sport for a little over 2years. My cd player has been acting up for approximately 6 months now. It frequently displays err1. My windshield wipers also stop during intermittent setting and ii have to be sure to turn them off while they are at bottom of windshield or they will stop where they are at the time. I took my car in and was told the cd player needs to be completely replaced and it needs an new wiper module. These two things combined will cost me approx. $600.00. …”

NHTSA complaint #10098483, filed 2004-11

Mileage when problems were reported

16% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 91,010 and 131,000 miles.

11%0–100%10–255%25–500%50–7521%75–10042%100–15021%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 120,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

200420072011520152018
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Rodeo Sport 2WD2.2L 4-cyl5-speed manual172118$3,700
Rodeo Sport 2WD2.2L 4-cyl4-speed automatic152017$3,950
Rodeo Sport 2WD3.2L 6-cyl4-speed automatic151917$3,950
Rodeo Sport 4WD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed manual151917$3,950
Rodeo Sport 4WD3.2L 6-cyl4-speed automatic151916$4,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.

Other model years of the Isuzu Rodeo Sport

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200223120,0002—17—Stable
20014995,4551—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20001281,0000———Not enough data
19991490,0000———Not enough data
19988100,0000———Not enough data

All Isuzu Rodeo Sport model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 9 complaints (39% of the total), followed by body and structure with 6.

Has the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport (Rodeo Sport 2WD, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport reported?

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 120,000 miles and the middle half falls between 91,010 and 131,000 miles; 16% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.