2002 Isuzu Rodeo Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year mostly report two things: rear-frame rust and corrosion (often found during or after the rear suspension recall repair), and a transmission that jerks, hard-shifts, or shows the wrong gear on the dash indicator. Many complaints come in at moderate mileage (roughly 70,000-150,000) on older vehicles, and frame corrosion is often described as discovered during inspection rather than as a sudden event.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Rear frame and suspension bracket corrosion

   • 30 complaints (30%)
   • median 107,685 mi at 11.0 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2026

   Owners describe rusted-through holes in the rear frame, corroded reinforcement brackets, and sway-bar or trailing-arm mounts separating from the frame. Several say the condition was found during or shortly after the rear suspension recall repair, and that the dealer or manufacturer declined further work because the rust was outside the recalled area or the state was not covered. Some report the vehicle then failed state inspection or was declared unfit to drive. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 150,000 miles on vehicles in salt-belt states, often years after the recall repair.

   Recall 10V4360001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the rear frame, trailing-arm and sway-bar mounting points inspected on a lift, especially on vehicles from winter-salt states. Ask whether the 10V436000 recall repair was performed and request documentation of what was actually replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Only a few weeks after vehicle was purchased while driving the frame of the vehicle literally cracked and separated. The rear passenger frame piece was hanging down and forward! We were so grateful this didn't happen just a few miles before when we were on the freeway traveling at 70mph. We could have died!”

   NHTSA complaint #10638059, filed 2014-09, 89,000 miles

   “On april 7th 2011 my 2002 Isuzu Rodeo lost control on i290 expressway due to a rotted rear frame. I was able to slow the SUV down without incident. I contacted Isuzu corporate after doing some research, they instructed me to not drive the car and have it towed to the dealer for inspection.”

   NHTSA complaint #10395184, filed 2011-04, 89,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission jerking, hard shifts and wrong gear indicator

   • 15 complaints (15%)
   • median 55,500 mi at 5.6 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2011

   Complaints describe the transmission shuddering or jerking on acceleration, hard or slipping shifts, and the dash gear indicator showing park or reverse while the shifter is in drive. Several owners say the dealer replaced a transmission seal, change switch or servo cover, and one was told a cracked servo cover was becoming common. Some report the transmission was replaced and the symptoms returned. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 135,000 miles, with many under 90,000.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from a stop and at highway speed, watching for shudder, delayed engagement or a gear indicator that does not match the shifter. Ask whether the transmission fluid and servo cover or seal have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo ls with a six cylinder engine and a 2 wheel drive automatic transmission. The transmission is sealed and the owner's manual requires service at 120,000 miles. I have never driven the vehicle under extreme conditions, and I have never towed anything behind the vehicle. Nonetheless, my transmission recently started to shudder and lurch when the vehicle initially accelerated from low to second gear. When this problem began, the vehicle had about 55,500. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10093689, filed 2004-10, 55,500 miles

   “I own a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. I am the only owner. Last year 2009, it suddenly started having a jerking movement whenever I stop and then accelerate. It got so bad that I took it to the dealer and they charged me $695.00 to fix what they said was a transmission seal leak. It ran ok for a while and then I stated noticing that I would be driving down the highway and then all of a sudden the gear would shift and on the dash indicator it would be showing that the gear is in park, reverse, neutral or something else other than drive. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10340858, filed 2010-06, 92,300 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS light and intermittent brake assist loss

   • 13 complaints (13%)
   • median 23,898 mi at 2.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2016

   Owners report the ABS warning light coming on repeatedly, brake noise under pressure, and episodes where the vehicle slides or the pedal feels unresponsive, often in wet or slippery conditions. Complaints describe multiple ABS sensor replacements with the problem returning, and one owner reported a front brake pad separating and damaging the caliper. Mostly reported under 40,000 miles, with a few at higher mileage.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm the ABS light cycles off after start-up and ask for any ABS sensor or module repair records. Check brake pad and rotor condition and listen for noise under braking on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo that has ABS sensors replaced twice within a two-month period. Bought brand new less than a year ago, and both times the brakes made noise and the ABS light came on. The second time, my ABS failed to engage and I was about a foot away from hitting a police car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10041097, filed 2003-10, 18,000 miles

   “I own a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The ABS system in the vehicle has failed 3 times so far. I talked to a few people who own Isuzu Rodeo and they all have had the same problem. So I believe that this is an inherent problem of the Isuzu Rodeo .which should be investigated”

   NHTSA complaint #10025469, filed 2003-07, 19,797 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalling and oil consumption

   • 21 complaints (21%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2025

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off without warning, sometimes at speed or in slow turns, and occasionally restarting later. Others report needing to add oil frequently, with the dealer attributing it to oil burning, and one owner reported the engine seizing without warning lights. A dealer-noted intake manifold gasket and wiring harness were cited in some cases. Spread from about 22,000 to 110,000 miles, with several under 30,000.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for a burning smell, and ask about oil consumption between changes. Note any stalling history and whether intake gasket or harness work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The consumer had to refill the vehicle with oil every 1,000 miles. The dealership informed the consumer that the problem was pertaining to the oil burning quickly. The mechanic did not resolve the problem. Please provide more information.”

   NHTSA complaint #10055906, filed 2004-01, 22,714 miles

   “- the contact stated that she owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. She purchased thevehicle in april 2005. The vehicle had an odometer reading of approximately 16000 miles at the time of purchase, and it currently has 66,000 miles. The contact stated that it is 6000 miles past the warranty. The motor seized on december 15, 2005 while driving at 65 MPH, in cear weather and the road conditions were fine. The contact stated that there were no warning lights or anything that might have suggested that the engine was about to fail. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10178207, filed 2007-01, 66,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift focused on rear frame and suspension-mount corrosion is the most important step for this model year, along with confirming what the rear suspension recall repair covered. Also budget for a transmission and ABS check, since owners frequently report shift quality and warning-light problems.

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.