NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Isuzu Rodeo Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Isuzu Rodeo has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 101 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, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2002 Isuzu Rodeo owner complaints

Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo, describing incidents dated June 1, 2001 to December 2, 2025.

Most-cited components

Structure 22 complaints
Power Train 18 complaints
Service Brakes 18 complaints
Engine 17 complaints
Suspension 15 complaints
Air Bags 6 complaints

Of the 101 complaints on file, 8 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 101 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11724093 · Filed March 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact recently became aware of severe corrosion on the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V436000 (Suspension) approximately 10 years ago. The contact believed that the recall repair should…
ODI #11687710 · Filed September 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that as she was coasting to the right to stop on the shoulder, she observed that there was smoke in the cabin. The contact stated that after she stopped, she…
ODI #11488067 · Filed October 5, 2022
The contact's son owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated while driving downhill at 40 MPH around a curve with a child sitting in the rear seat, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that upon turning the steering wheel, the vehicle…

Read all 101 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo in 3 investigations. 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.

Defect Petition DP18-001: Fuel Tank Retention Failure
Closed March 5, 2020
Engineering Analysis EA09-018: Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment
Closed October 15, 2010
- Recall 10V-436
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 BRACKETS

NHTSA #10V436000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported September 22, 2010 · ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICA

Potentially affected: 149,992 vehicles

Owners notified December 10, 2010 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ISUZU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2002 ISUZU RODEO AND MODEL YEAR 2002 ISUZU AXIOM VEHICLES, AND HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1998-2002 HONDA PASSPORT 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. VEHICLES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SUSTAINED EXPOSURE TO HIGHLY CORROSIVE MATERIALS USED IN SOME JURISDICTIONS FOR ROAD DEICING PURPOSES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE VICINITY OF THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT BRACKET FOR THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK PRIOR TO THE TIME THAT SUCH CORROSION WOULD NORMALLY BE EXPECTED.

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 POTENTIALLY CAUSE 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, A REPURCHASE OFFER WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE VEHICLE'S OWNER. 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, OR HONDA DEALER (AS APPLICABLE), DEALER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF WHEN OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WERE ISSUED. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. ISUZU OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727. HONDA OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

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 – June 30, 2004 (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 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Safety Technology

3 investigations

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

Structure

ODI #11724093

Incident: December 2, 2025 · Filed: March 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact recently became aware of severe corrosion on the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V436000 (Suspension) approximately 10 years ago. The contact believed that the recall repair should have covered more than just the rear suspension and that the entire subframe should have been included. The vehicle was taken to two independent Collision Centers and was advised that the cost of repair exceeded the value of the vehicle, and the vehicle was declined to be repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,819.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11687710

Fire

Incident: September 13, 2025 · Filed: September 16, 2025

The contact owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that as she was coasting to the right to stop on the shoulder, she observed that there was smoke in the cabin. The contact stated that after she stopped, she opened the driver's side passenger door and saw that smoke was emitting from under the passenger seat, which had been folded over in "cargo mode." The contact lifted the seat and saw that the seat back was melted, with a black spot in the center. The contact stated that she had a cooler in the back that was full of water, and she poured all of it behind and under the seat. The contact saw that the water evaporated. The contact then checked out outside of the vehicle to see if there was any heat source. The contact observed that flames had formed under the rear driver's side wheel well. The contact stated that a person who lived in the house near where she had stopped had observed what was happening and came out with a fire extinguisher and extinguished the fire. The fire department was not called. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V466000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) due to the location of the fuel tank, which was located on the driver's side rear, by the rear wheel well. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

Suspension

ODI #11488067

Incident: February 5, 2022 · Filed: October 5, 2022

The contact's son owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated while driving downhill at 40 MPH around a curve with a child sitting in the rear seat, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that upon turning the steering wheel, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact continued driving until the vehicle responded. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while her son was driving the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe was severely fractured. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V436000 (Suspension) had previously been completed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,370.

Structure

ODI #11441833

Incident: November 10, 2021 · Filed: November 27, 2021

Frame rust condition which makes the SUV un repairable

Structure

ODI #11006500

Incident: July 19, 2017 · Filed: July 20, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED OUT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Suspension

ODI #11006348

Incident: June 1, 2017 · Filed: July 19, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION NEAR THE AXLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM AN UNKNOWN RECALL CAMPAIGN BECAUSE NEBRASKA WAS NOT CONSIDERED A SALT BELT STATE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE OF COMPONENTS POTENTIALLY FRACTURING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 10/18/17*LJ *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10944627

Incident: December 1, 2016 · Filed: January 12, 2017

TAKATA AIR BAG, MY 2002 RODEO AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, ON THE DASHBOARD, I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS NOT PART OF THE RECALLS, IT IS A VEHICLE MADE BY HONDA AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALLS, ITS THE SAME VEHICLE AS THE HONDA PASSPORT JUST A DIFFERENT YR AND ITS A FLORIDA REGISTERED AUTOMOBILE, HOW CAN I GET HELP WITH THIS AIRBAG PROBLEM, I SHOULDNT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO DEFECTS AND RECALLS.

Suspension; Service Brakes

ODI #10943961

Incident: January 5, 2017 · Filed: January 9, 2017

I HAVE 110,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND WAS JUST TOLD FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR HAS MANY MILES LEFT ON ENGINE, NOT HAPPY ABOUT RUSTED FRAME I HAVE HEARD ABOUT , ALSO ABS LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON.

Service Brakes

ODI #10883746

Crash

Incident: July 8, 2016 · Filed: July 9, 2016

I PULLED INTO A HANDICAP PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A SUPERMARKET, PUT IT IN PARK, SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. GOT OUT OUT VEHICLE, LOCKED THE DOORS. STARTED TO WALK AWAY AND A GUY THAT WAS SITTING AT A TABLE IN FRONT OF STORE YELLED THERE GOES YOUR CAR. I RAN BESIDE THE CAR TO TRY TO OPEN THE DOOR TO NO AVAIL. THE CAR CRASHED BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND WAS TOLD BY THEM TO CALL INSURANCE COMPANY AND TO LEAVE IF BOTH VEHICLES WERE OKAY TO DRIVE. I FEEL THE PARK GEAR FAILED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE JUST IN PARK A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10854199

Incident: October 13, 2014 · Filed: April 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FUEL ODOR WAS NOTICED AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Other Isuzu Rodeo model years

Check your 2002 Isuzu Rodeo VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Isuzu Rodeo at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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