NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 23 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Isuzu dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport owner complaints

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport, describing incidents dated March 15, 2002 to January 10, 2018.

Most-cited components

Suspension 9 complaints
Structure 6 complaints
Engine 3 complaints
Equipment 3 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint

Of the 23 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11065600 · Filed January 29, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. UPON RECEIVING AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLES NEAR THE TRAILING ARMS, CLOSE TO THE FRAME AND IN THE REAR NEAR THE STABILIZER BAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A…
ODI #10923668 · Filed October 30, 2016
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…
ODI #10898314 · Filed August 24, 2016
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…

Read all 23 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE09-030: REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK FAILURE
Closed December 8, 2009
- Recall 10V-436

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET CORROSION

NHTSA #12V306000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported June 29, 2012 · ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICA

Potentially affected: 14,756 vehicles

Owners notified July 26, 2012 · Vehicles built July 18, 2001 – August 28, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ISUZU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2000 AMIGO AND MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 RODEO SPORT VEHICLES, THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED, IN THE STATES OF MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, AND KENTUCKY. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE VICINITY OF THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT BRACKET FOR THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK.

Safety consequence

EXCESSIVE CORROSION MAY RESULT IN THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AREA. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH LITTLE OR NO CORROSION IS FOUND, THE AREA WILL BE TREATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE COMPOUND. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH CORROSION HAS DAMAGED THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AND AFFECTED ITS CONNECTION TO THE VEHICLE FRAME, A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED. IN THE RARE EVENT THE CORROSION IS SO SEVERE THAT THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKET REMEDY WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE, ISUZU WILL OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE FOR AN AMOUNT BASED ON THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK PRIVATE PARTY PRICE. ALL INSPECTIONS AND REMEDIES WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE 10 YEARS OLD OR LESS. FOR VEHICLES OLDER THAN 10 YEARS, ISUZU WILL OFFER A FREE REMEDY, BUT ONLY IF THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN ISUZU SERVICE FACILITY DEALER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF WHEN OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WERE ISSUED. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING JULY 2012. ISUZU OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATIONS VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-423(TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FUEL PUMP

NHTSA #05V466000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported October 7, 2005 · ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICA

Potentially affected: 15,515 vehicles

Owners notified November 25, 2005 · Vehicles built July 1, 2001 – April 30, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO FUEL CONTAMINATED WITH SILICON MAY DEVELOP SMALL PIN HOLES IN THE FUEL PUMP FEED PORT. SILICON HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE FUEL SYSTEMS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES AND IN CERTAIN FUEL AVAILABLE IN THE REGION OF TYLER, TEXAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN TEXAS AND THE FOUR SURROUNDING STATES: OKLAHOMA, ARKANSAS, NEW MEXICO AND LOUISIANA.

Safety consequence

A FUEL LEAK COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE STATES IDENTIFIED ABOVE, DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A NEW COVER OVER THE EXISTING FEED PORT ON THE FUEL PUMP OR, IF THE EXISTING FEED PORT HAS ALREADY BEEN DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE NEW COVER. THE NEW COVER WILL BE MADE OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

23 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11065600

Incident: January 10, 2018 · Filed: January 29, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. UPON RECEIVING AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLES NEAR THE TRAILING ARMS, CLOSE TO THE FRAME AND IN THE REAR NEAR THE STABILIZER BAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED OR EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V436000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

Suspension

ODI #10923668

Incident: August 23, 2016 · Filed: October 30, 2016

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 IT'S NOT SAFE. I NEED A REMEDY FROM ISUZU. NHTSA HAD A CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V306000. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, WITH NO RESULTS YET. MY COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 10898314. I ALSO NOTICED SOME FRAME RUST IN THE FRAME IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.

Suspension

ODI #10898314

Incident: August 23, 2016 · Filed: August 24, 2016

Structure

ODI #10763184

Incident: August 31, 2015 · Filed: September 11, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE WELL RUSTED AND CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO DETACH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Equipment

ODI #10733228

Fire

Incident: July 10, 2015 · Filed: July 10, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONING UNIT OVERHEATED TO THE POINT THAT IT FRACTURED THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL UNIT AND MELTED THE WIRES. THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE UNIT ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #10470040

Incident: August 9, 2012 · Filed: August 9, 2012

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE SAYING THAT "EXCESSIVE CORROSION MAY RESULT IN THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH." UPON CHECKING INTO THIS, I FOUND OUT THAT THE CLOSEST ISUZU DEALER TO ME IS 2 HOURS AWAY. IT REALLY AMAZES ME THAT ISUZU WOULD WANT ME TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH A SAFETY RECALL 2 HOURS TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. *TR

Unknown or Other

ODI #10458695

Incident: May 16, 2012 · Filed: May 16, 2012

ISUZU 2002 RODEO SPORT BRAKING TO STOP AT A STOPLIGHT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TRAILING ARM RIPPED OFF THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE STATION THE WHOLE FRAME WAS BADLY ROTTED. THE SERVICE STATION INFORMED ME THERE MAY BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH AN ISUZU DEALERSHIP AND SUBSEQUENTLY ISUZU OWNER RELATIONS, I WAS TOLD THIS RECALL WAS ONLY FOR THE ISUZU RODEO, NOT THE RODEO SPORT. I BELIEVE THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE RODEO SPORT AS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THIS DEFECT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. I AM CURIOUS IF THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR REPORTS OF THIS DEFECT ON THE RODEO SPORT.

Suspension

ODI #10457903

Incident: May 2, 2012 · Filed: May 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION HEARD AS THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL HAD BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE AXLE AND THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

Suspension

ODI #10437833

Incident: November 7, 2011 · Filed: November 30, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRAME WAS ROTTEN WHERE THE BRACKETS WERE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 10V436000, SUSPENSION REAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000. UPDATED 01/25/12 *BF

Suspension

ODI #10428437

Incident: October 3, 2011 · Filed: October 4, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:10V436000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,890.

Other Isuzu Rodeo Sport model years

Check your 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport VIN

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