1998 Isuzu Rodeo Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo most often write about the anti-lock brakes: the pedal going soft or long, the ABS light staying on, and stopping distances stretching out on rough or wet roads, frequently at commuting mileage under 110,000. The second recurring theme is rust in the rear frame and its brackets, reported mostly at higher mileage (100,000 to 170,000) and in states that use road salt; owners describe the rear sway bar, spring perches and trailing-arm mounts rotting through. Smaller groups of complaints cover the fuel gauge and sending unit, and oil consumption leading to engine noise.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Rear frame and bracket rust

   • 85 complaints (18%)
   • median 130,896 mi at 13.2 yrs old (72 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2019

   Complaints describe the rear frame and its mountings rusting through, with brackets such as the sway bar, trailing-arm and spring perches separating from the frame. Owners report the rear of the vehicle swaying, a bang or thump from underneath, or a rear wheel shifting in the wheel well. Some describe the fuel tank or exhaust being affected by the same corrosion, and several mention a dealer or mechanic saying the frame was beyond repair; complaints referencing recall 10V436000 often state that the frame damage itself was not covered. Mostly reported above 100,000 miles, often on vehicles driven in states that use road salt; a few describe serious corrosion at much lower mileage.

   Recall 10V436000Recall 00V058000

   What to check: Inspect the rear frame rails, spring perches and sway bar brackets from underneath with a screwdriver or pick, especially on vehicles from salt-belt states. Ask whether recall 10V436000 was performed and whether any frame repair or welding has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on a highway and the car was swaying at 25 MPH, all of a sudden, something broke underneath, lost control of the car and threw me across three lanes and back. Was able to stop the car before crashing. Vehicle had to be towed. Mechanic told me frame completely rotted, impossible to weld. Stabilizer arm broke from rest of frame. Updated ivoq 10/18/10”

   NHTSA complaint #10344474, filed 2010-07, 98,100 miles

   “While driving down rte 9 in framingham ma on 12/05/2008, my 1998 Isuzu Rodeo started swaying. It felt like the rear end of the vehicle was sliding on ice. I pulled off of the highway and had the vehicle towed. My mechanic determined that the rear sway bar had rotted off the vehicle. A new sway bar was installed, however additional rust was noted and I was told to keep an eye on it for future rot. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10329095, filed 2010-05, 127,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS brake pedal goes soft / long stopping distance

   • 199 complaints (42%)
   • median 76,161 mi at 6.2 yrs old (34 state mileage)
   • 64 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2016

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking toward the floor or the vehicle taking much longer to stop than expected, often with the ABS light on and sometimes with a grinding feel through the pedal. Several say it happened while braking over sand, gravel, wet pavement or a bump or dip in the road. Complaints frequently mention work done under an earlier ABS module recall (campaign 02I002000), with some reporting the same long stopping distance afterwards; dealers in some cases said the behaviour was normal ABS activation, and in others cleaned or replaced corroded wheel sensors. Mostly reported between roughly 45,000 and 130,000 miles; complaints appear across all seasons and several note the problem recurring after recall work.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS module recall was completed and whether the ABS light comes on during a test drive, and try a firm stop on a rough or wet surface. Have a shop pull ABS codes and check the wheel sensors for corrosion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When the brakes are applied it has a relatively long stopping distance compared to other vehicles. Fortunately Isuzu launched a recall campaign to address the problem and the ABS module was replaced but the problem is persists. I wrote to the manufacturer informing them of the problem but I have heard from them since then.”

   NHTSA complaint #10098364, filed 2004-11, 66,310 miles

   “It was raining. Went to stop at the intersection of scott blvd and n. Decatur going at approx 10 miles an hour. The brakes would not work. I released and tried again and there was nothing. Hit the truck in front of me. The module for the ABS was replaced in april 2003.”

   NHTSA complaint #10051402, filed 2003-12, 107,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge reads wrong or empty

   • 21 complaints (4%)
   • median 77,500 mi at 7.0 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2011

   Owners report the gas gauge dropping to empty or sticking partway after a fill-up, with the low-fuel warning coming on at random. Some replaced the fuel pump or sending unit without the gauge working afterwards; complaints also mention a fuel smell or leak at the hose and pump connection, and occasional stalling. Reported from about 30,000 to 160,000 miles, often noticed shortly after refuelling.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Fill the tank during the test drive and watch whether the gauge reads full and falls steadily. Ask whether the sending unit has been replaced, and check for a fuel smell around the tank and lines.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have some very important issues pertaining to my 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. I read several blogs on a forum from other Rodeo owners that have had some of the same problems that I have with mine. The biggest one is the ABS system and the other is the fuel sending unit and gas gauge. These are two of the most reported problems but not the only ones. It seems that Isuzu should be doing something to correct these and other problems associated with this vehicle. The ABS has been addressed in some but not in others. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10234880, filed 2008-07, 45,000 miles

   “(1) fuel gauge failed. I note that other owners of this car of similar year have the same problem. (2) stalled in middle of freeway which almost caused crash with cars traveling in adjoining lanes at 65 MPH. (3) replaced fuel pump at $500+ with no resolution of problem. The fuel guage still does not work, and car stalled again on freeway.”

   NHTSA complaint #10098497, filed 2004-11, 60,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Oil consumption and lower-end engine noise

   • 26 complaints (5%)
   • median 76,500 mi at 6.4 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2006

   Complaints describe the engine using large amounts of oil between changes without visible smoke or leaks, followed by a loud clanking or knocking sound and the check-oil light. In some cases the engine seized or needed replacement; owners say dealers advised checking the oil frequently rather than offering a repair. A separate complaint describes the timing belt coming off and damaging the engine. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition before buying and ask for oil-change records; listen for a knock at cold start and at higher rpm. Ask whether the timing belt has been replaced on schedule.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Piston rod failure. The first incident occurred in or about january, 2003. The engine on my 1998 Isuzu Rodeo began making a loud clanking noise and the check oil light came on. I added a quart and the noise subsided. I had the oil changed the next day. A few months later, the noise returned and I added two quarts of oil. The noise did not subside and I took the vehicle in for its regularly scheduled oil change the next day. The oil change mechanic told me that there were only two quarts of oil in the engine. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10023583, filed 2003-06, 64,000 miles

   “1998 Isuzu Rodeo used 5 liters of oil in 4000 kms and seized up with out warning on 30 dec 05. The oil light and engine light did not come on Isuzu dealers said it won't come on until vehicle is out of oil. So why put sensors on the truck. Only 92000 kms on the Rodeo talked to saturn, Isuzu in fredricton and GM customer service was told to bad so sad check you oil more but if we do a recall on excessive oil consumption keep your bill and we may refund you. The truck did not smoke or leak oil. The oil was check 14 nov 05. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10147310, filed 2006-01, 92,000 miles

Buying note. On a 1998 Rodeo the two things worth checking before money changes hands are the rear frame for rust and how the brakes feel on a rough or wet road, since those account for most of what owners report. Ask for recall paperwork (10V436000 for the rear suspension and the earlier ABS campaign) and service records for the fuel gauge and oil consumption.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.