1999 Isuzu Rodeo Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe rear-frame and rear-suspension corrosion, frequently discovered during inspections or when a bracket separates while driving, and many complaint reports reference the rear-suspension recalls and note that the remedy was not performed because of severe frame rust or an expired campaign. Brake complaints are also common, particularly ABS-related symptoms such as an illuminated ABS light, a low or long pedal, and longer stopping distances on wet or slippery roads. Other recurring reports include an erratic fuel gauge, oil consumption, and intermittent unintended engine revving while the brake pedal is held.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Rear frame and suspension bracket corrosion

   Mentioned in 27 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe rust-through of the rear frame and the mounting points for the rear suspension lower links, in some cases with the bracket separating from the frame while driving and the vehicle veering or fishtailing. Owners report that inspection or dealer service found the frame beyond repair and advised the vehicle not to be driven, and several note that recall 10V436000 applied to their vehicle but the reinforcement remedy was not carried out because of how far the corrosion had progressed. Some also describe fuel or brake lines being affected by the same corrosion. Complaints frequently mention the northern states and road-salt exposure, though many simply say the frame was found rusted during routine repair or inspection. Mostly reported between roughly 70,000 and 160,000 miles, on vehicles about 10 to 13 years old at the time of the complaint.

   Recall 10V436000Recall 00V058000Recall 00V121001

   What to check: Have the rear frame and lower-link mounting brackets inspected on a lift before buying, especially on a vehicle from a salt-belt state, and ask whether the 10V436000 remedy was actually performed and whether any later corrosion was found.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. In february 2011 the frame broke while I was driving it and I lost control and ended up fishtailing in the road. Luckily no one was around for me to hit. I told it to the Isuzu dealer and they fixed the frame because of the rust recall. Today I tried to fill up with gas and ended up with gas covered feet because the tank and brackets have rusted off.”

   NHTSA complaint #10409181, filed 2011-06, 150,000 miles

   “My Isuzu Rodeo was recalled for the rear suspension/frame rustout problem.Isuzu hauled it to bedford ,ohio to the former dealer. It is stage 5,non-repairable. Isuzu has not been in touch concerning buyback or anything. When I call them,they are very rude and act like they could care less.we are down to 1 car,makes things difficult. They have had the truck and we both have pictures of the damage for weeks now. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10392850, filed 2011-03, 244,100 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS light and long or low brake pedal

   • 199 complaints (36%)
   • median 53,200 mi at 5.3 yrs old (65 state mileage)
   • 52 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2017

   Owners describe the ABS warning light staying on, a brake pedal that goes low or to the floor, and longer stopping distances on wet, bumpy, or slippery surfaces, with some reports of rear-end collisions. Several complaints mention that a prior ABS campaign repair did not resolve the symptoms, and some note that parts for the repair were unavailable or that the dealer could not duplicate the problem. A few also mention grinding noises with braking and rear brake work such as rotor replacement. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 10,000 to 80,000 miles, often in wet or slippery conditions.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm the ABS light comes on and then goes out normally, test the pedal feel on a wet or loose surface, and ask whether the ABS module or rear brakes have been serviced and with what parts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own an Isuzu Rodeo 1999 the light for the ABS system came on and does not go away plus I noticed somebody also has problems with the gasoline meter it happens that it does not register exactly how much gas in it and the light sometimes stays on plus the last one I have not see is the paint is cracked in the whole body is black.”

   NHTSA complaint #10018960, filed 2003-05, 55,000 miles

   “As I was attempting to merge onto a highway exit ramp, I applied the brakes with what was typical force for such conditions. The road was wet and as I was braking, the vehicle went over an expansion joint in the overpass of the road. The brake pedal went to the floor, the wheels locked up, and the vehicle skidded, using excessive braking distance, thus resulting in a low-speed rear-end accident with the vehicle in front of me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10126201, filed 2005-06, 10,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge reads wrong or stays on empty

   • 62 complaints (11%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 5.4 yrs old (44 state mileage)
   • filed 2002–2011

   Complaints describe a fuel gauge that fluctuates between empty and full or reads empty with a full tank, sometimes followed by the check engine light coming on. Owners commonly attribute it to the fuel level sensor or sending unit in the tank, and some report the dealer would only sell the complete fuel pump assembly rather than the sensor alone. A few complaints also mention fuel or tank hardware affected by rust. Often reported between about 20,000 and 90,000 miles, sometimes within the first few years of ownership.

   What to check: Fill the tank and watch whether the gauge settles at full and stays there over the next few miles, and ask whether the fuel level sensor or pump assembly has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have just purchased a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo for my college aged daughter. While driving back to school yesterday (290 mile drive), she discovered that this vehicle also has a fuel gauge that is not working properly. While this is not an immediate safety issue, the thought that my duaghter may become stranded (by running out of fuel) in a remote area, is a very real safety concern as far as I am concerned. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10063613, filed 2004-03, 112,700 miles

   “After only having my Rodeo for a few months my ABS went bad but it was replaced by the dealer under warranty. Then shortly after that the warranty ended and gas gauge would read empty but it was full, next I have to add oil to my car every two to three days because it burns oil really bad no leakage or nothing like that. Now I have started adding anti-freeze the same amount of time. There are major tranmission problems with this car and from reading the internet it's not just my car it's Isuzu.”

   NHTSA complaint #10272550, filed 2009-06, 105,000 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Engine revs up while the brake is held

   • 36 complaints (7%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2014

   Several complaints describe the engine speed rising unexpectedly while the brake pedal is pressed at a stop, sometimes with the vehicle creeping forward, and a few report low-speed impacts as a result. Owners say the dealer could not reproduce the condition or found no fault codes, and some report that throttle body, intake manifold, or EGR valve replacement did not stop it. Others describe hard or clashing shifts around the same time, and one complaint connects the behaviour to the cruise control. Reported mostly between roughly 40,000 and 130,000 miles, at low speed or while stopped.

   What to check: At a stop with the brake held, watch whether engine speed stays steady, ask whether the throttle body or idle control has been cleaned or replaced, and have any stored codes read before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Coming to a stop light with a speed of 10 - 15 miles, I start pressing the brake pedal to stop the car, instead stopping the RPM came down to 1000 and suddenly the pedal does not go down and is not stopping and starts accelerating and increasing the speed and RPM jumps to over 8000. I left the car for several days to the dealer ( shaver auto center ) san bernardino, ca and they could not duplicate my story. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10461271, filed 2012-06, 7,000 miles

   “The vehicle's rpms revved to 5000 and accelerated forward while at a complete stop. The consumer's vehicle rear ended another motorist due to sudden acceleration. Please provide more information. After the third incident, vehicle was taken to the mechanic. They couldn't find anything wrong. Consumer was then informed something was wrong with his brakes. Upon entering the repair shop, the failure occurred again almost hitting the wall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10048554, filed 2004-01, 52,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Engine oil consumption and oil-related damage

   • 23 complaints (4%)
   • median 69,946 mi at 4.6 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2000–2014

   Owners report having to add oil frequently between changes, in some cases every few days, with no visible leak, and a few describe engine damage after oil loss or valve stem seal problems. One complaint describes an oil light flickering briefly before the engine began knocking; another describes a head gasket failure that also affected the radiator. Some owners also mention adding coolant as often as oil. Reported from roughly 45,000 to 105,000 miles, often noticed during routine maintenance.

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition, look for a fuel or oil smell, and ask the seller how often oil is added between changes and whether the valve stem seals or head gasket have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Coming back from ohio, the oil light briefly went on. There was no indication whatsoever aside from the oil light coming on for a few seconds that a big problem coming up. A few minutes later the engine was making a knocking sound. We try to drive it to a nearest gas station to get it check out. Unfortunately it was sunday and no mechanic was available. We oil change our vehicle every 3-4k miles so we have no reason to believe that it would be an oil problem. We tried to drive it but the engine just died on us. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10098018, filed 2004-10, 66,000 miles

   “Orginal valve stem seals malfunctioned. Excessive amounts oil entered combustion chamber causing accumulation of abnormal amounts of carbon deposits which raised temperature in comubustion chamber leading to pre-ignition / detonation which ruined the engine. Cost over $7,500 to replace engine that was only 4 years old and had been driven less than 75,000 miles under normal operation.”

   NHTSA complaint #10048957, filed 2003-12, 73,893 miles

Buying note. Have the underside inspected closely for rear-frame and suspension-mount rust, and confirm whether the rear-suspension recall work was completed, since that is the most frequently reported concern. Also check brake and ABS operation, fuel gauge behaviour, and oil consumption on a test drive.

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.