2000 Isuzu Rodeo Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe rear frame and suspension corrosion — rusted frame sections, rear lower-link and bracket failures, and the resulting swaying or loss of control — with many complaints filed long after purchase as the rust progressed. Brake complaints (a low or soft pedal, longer stopping distance, unexpected ABS activation) and fuel gauge/sending unit faults that also turn on the check engine light are the next most common themes, and several of those were reported at fairly low mileage.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Rear frame and suspension corrosion (lower link/bracket)

   • 104 complaints (38%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 11.2 yrs old (87 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2021

   Complaints describe heavy rust in the rear frame and suspension mounts, sometimes noticed as a sway or pull while driving and sometimes found during routine service or inspection. Owners report rear lower links, brackets, stabilizer bar mounts or trailing arms separating from a rusted frame, and several say shops declined to put the vehicle on a lift or declined to repair it. According to complaints, dealers often attributed the rest of the condition to age or said the recall campaign had expired or covered only the brackets; some owners had the bracket work done and reported the surrounding frame was still corroded. Spread widely from under 50,000 to over 200,000 miles, with many reports in the 80,000-150,000 mile range and in older, salt-belt vehicles.

   Recall 10V4360001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the rear frame, spring and link mounting points inspected on a lift before buying, especially on vehicles from states that use road salt. Ask whether the rear suspension recall work was performed and keep the paperwork.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1) while driving my 2000 Isuzu Rodeo on 10/2/09, the left rear axle arm broke off the frame causing the car to stop and the tire vaulted to the front of the wheel well. Fortunately, I was moving at only 15 MPH. 2) this was the only occurrence. 3) the auto had to be junked as I found out the entire frame was corroded. The auto had 47,550 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10301989, filed 2010-01, 47,550 miles

   “I purchased a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo from a dealership on december 4, 2014. I got it home only to realize the entire frame is rusted almost completely through. It's worse in the rear end of the vehicle. The frame under the hatchback area is almost completely gone. The dealership won't take it back and I can't afford another vehicle. I have not been able to contact anyone at Isuzu. The SUV is in excellent condition otherwise.”

   NHTSA complaint #10678183, filed 2015-01, 134,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge reads wrong and check engine light

   • 22 complaints (8%)
   • median 62,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2006

   Complaints describe the fuel gauge dropping to empty or reading low soon after filling, with the low-fuel light and check engine light coming on together, sometimes resetting and returning within days. Owners say the cause was identified as the fuel sending unit, and complaints mention quotes for the repair or a dealer declining to cover it; one complaint notes the dealer suggested tightening the gas cap for the check engine light. Reported from about 30,000 to 90,000 miles, often shortly after purchase.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Fill the tank and watch whether the gauge reaches full and stays there; scan for stored fuel-level or evaporative-system codes. Ask whether the sending unit has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The gas gauge is faulty. I have heard of many complaints and that when there are hard shifts (turns) or press harder on the acceleration causes the gas gauge to work incorrectly and the gas light comes on. This is happening to my car currently. Furthermore, after the light comes on the check engine light comes on.”

   NHTSA complaint #10169291, filed 2006-09, 37,000 miles

   “I bought this car used with 50128 miles in april 3, 2004. On, july 12, 2004 around 55000 miles. I stopped and let the car running for 3 mins. I came back and the fuel sensor low light was flashing and the car said I was empty, but I knew I wasn't because I just filled the tank up that day. I started going and the fuel sensor said I had all my gas back. After that, everyday, the sensor will say low fuel after the sensor has passed 3/4 of a tank. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10082386, filed 2004-07, 55,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes low / long stopping distance

   • 33 complaints (12%)
   • median 35,950 mi at 4.0 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2013

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking toward the floor, needing extra pedal travel to stop, and in some cases rolling through an intersection. Several complaints mention the ABS engaging on gravel, bumps or ordinary pavement at low speed, and a grinding noise over small bumps. Complaints say shops checked pads and rotors and reported them as fine, or adjusted the rear brakes and concluded the system worked as designed. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 55,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the pedal feel at low speed and on a bumpy surface, and ask for service records on brake and ABS work. A soft or long pedal is worth a proper inspection before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “200 Isuzu Rodeo--braking problem--pedal goes to floor-extended braking time, brakes have completely failed one time. Have had grinnding noise when applying brakes over small bumps, with loss of brakes. The car has been to 3 independent mechanics to have brakes checked and all say pads and rotors are fine, but braking is still very difficult.”

   NHTSA complaint #10056670, filed 2004-02, 31,750 miles

   “When driving and applying the brakes they did not stop at a safe distance. On two occasions vehicle went through the intersection, almost causing an accident. This happened to the consumer once and to the consumer's daughter once. The manufacturer and dealer were notified.”

   NHTSA complaint #10039713, filed 2003-09, 52,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalling or stopping while driving

   • 23 complaints (8%)
   • median 64,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2011

   Owners describe the engine cutting out at speed or while idling, sometimes with loss of power steering and power brakes, requiring a tow. Complaints describe diagnoses including a failed engine wiring harness, a security-system fault repeatedly shutting the vehicle off, a thermostat failure with a subsequent no-start, and heavy oil consumption leading to loss of oil pressure. One complaint describes an engine-compartment fire after fueling that an investigator traced to an electrical box near the battery. Reported from about 50,000 to 90,000 miles, without a clear seasonal pattern in the sample.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask about any stalling history, wiring harness repairs and oil consumption between changes, and check the oil level and condition on the dipstick. Confirm cooling-system and emission-related service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Bought used 2000 Isuzu Rodeo 2 years ago only having 30,000 miles on it, since I bought it I have put oil in it about every 2 weeks, no leaks, just always seeming to be low. A week ago it just stopped, towing it to a garage only to find out it lost oil pressure which caused it to stop. The end result is it needs a new engine and it only has 50,000 miles on it. I do not have 7000 dollars to fix this problem and am at a loss as to what to do, on top of a car payment on top of it. Is there any recall or help I can get from the manufacturer?”

   NHTSA complaint #10137130, filed 2005-09, 52,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that a malfunction in the security system in his vehicle seemed to cause it to repeatedly shut off. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would completely shut off, which would occasionally cause the power steering and power brakes to fail. He was able to stop the vehicle by applying more pressure to the brake pedal. The most recent failure occurred while driving approximately 55 MPH. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10267505, filed 2009-05, 90,000 miles

Buying note. The condition of the rear frame matters more than mileage on this model year, so get an independent inspection on a lift and look for recall paperwork. A thorough test drive and a scan for stored codes will also reveal brake, fuel-gauge and driveline faults that owners commonly report.

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.