Most common 1998 Isuzu Rodeo problems
Share of the 478 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Isuzu Rodeo complaints by model year
Best Rodeo years: 2003, 2004, 2002. Years to avoid: 1999, 1998, 2001, 2000, 1995. Compare all years →
1998 Isuzu Rodeo recalls (4)
Suspension › Rear
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…
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.
Suspension › Rear
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Paint was applied unevenly on the rear axles, resulting in insufficient paint hardness. Should this occur on the surface that contacts the rear axle lower link bracket bolt head and/or nut, the nut May loosen.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear axle lower link joint nut and bolt.
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. A ground connection terminal was not properly crimped in the supplier's engine wiring harness manufacturing line. This improper crimping process can leave an impression on the terminal that will eventually cause a stress fracture. S
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these vehicles.
Unknown or other
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with a driver's side optional equipment rubber floor mat. Repeated movement of the driver's feet and actuation of the accelerator pedal can result in a shifting of the mat's position. This shifting can cause an interference with the accelerator pedal.
Remedy: Isuzu is asking for the return of the floor mat set and will reimburse owners for the cost of the rubber floor mat set along with any return shipping costs.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo:
Broken accelerator pedal
Complaints alle that the Honda passport (the Honda passport and Isuzu rodeo are similar vehicles, both manufactured by Isuzu) accelerator pedal separates from the pedal linkage.
Braking system/ABS
Rear suspension lower link failure
During preliminary evaluation pe09-030, Isuzu motors America, inc (Isuzu) noted two primary differences once the rear suspension lower link separation occurs between the alleged defect (separation of the lower link from the frame) of this investigation and a safety defect involving lower link separation from the rear axle addressed by Isuzu in safety recall 00v-058.in the case of the defect condition identified in…
Braking system/ABS
There is no summary currently available
Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment
On September 22, 2010, Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall 10V-436) to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration affecting approximately 120,000 model year (MY) 1998-2002 Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport vehicles and MY 2002 Isuzu Axiom vehicles originally sold, or currently operated, in the following states:Connecticut, Delaware, the…
What 1998 Isuzu Rodeo owners say
Brakes all 222 →
Brakes failed to engage after pulling away from a stoplight at about 10-15 MPH. The cars ahead stopped but my Rodeo would not even with me literally standing on the brakes. They were non-responsive although the ABS grinding took place. I recently had the vehicle in for the algorithm change, but noticed no difference. I initially called Isuzu owner relations on 7/8/02 about the msn carpoint recall alert under NHTSA campaign number 021002000, noptification date 6/02/02, affecting 161,927 vehicles. Isuzu owner relations personell vehemently denied there was any cause for alarm or action from Isuzu. Dealership and Isuzu personnel denied any problem with brakes despite calls to Isuzu owner relations and visits to the dealership. …
My elderly father was driving the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo on I-78 west bound when the breaks failed. My father said it was as if the ABS came on and prevented the brakes from working. The brake faliur resulted in a collision with the the car infront twice. At the time no injuries were reported however my father has experienced pain in his shoulders. After investigating how the brakes could fail on the internet I came to learn that this particular model of Isuzu Rodeo had been recalled due to ABS brake faliur. This was the way I came to learn of the recall. To this date Isuzu has never contacted me regarding this recall. I have made mulitple attempts to contact clode at Isuzu customer relations his phone number is 1800 255 6727 ext 7417. We have exchanged phone messages but have not bee able to speak. I wish clode would make an effort to reach me. …
Body & structure all 69 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving at 50 MPH, the rear of the vehicle failed to stay in position. The contact had to continuously steer the vehicle to keep the vehicle in position. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the sub frame on the rear driver side was corroded and fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, who confirmed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 230,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Driving on highway hit a pothole and heard a loud thump from rear passenger side of vehicle. I didn't think much of it till the next day when I drove to work. It seemed every bump I got the same noise. Got to work,looked under car, all seemed fine. Just happened to look in rear cargo are and saw lump in carpet. The spring was poking up thru the rear floor !!!! How is this not a recall? After seeing the posts online I realize this is common. I never knew, been driving vehicle for 10 years with no issues.
Suspension all 59 →
Well on March 16 2012 we were driving our Isuzu. Rodeo on the highway going 55 MPH. We then heard a popping noise and the rear of the vehicle started bouncing so we took the vehicle to a local repair shop when they said the frame was rotted out and that the shocks were. Hanging their and the springs mounts had rusted off and the springs were sitting on the cargo area floor board and so a few days later we called Isuzu. And they said we had to have the vehicle to one of their repair shops by the next day or they wouldn't do anything about it and we did not have money to have the vehicle towed to them and it was unsafe to drive, so in April we took the Isuzu to a body shop locally and he stated the same thing as the first garage but that if we invested $2000 into a new frame it would be good as new and since we haven't had the vehicle fixed due to we don't have the money and we haven't …
I took my vehicle to the certified Isuzu dealership for repair during the 2010 recall for premature rust (NHTSA action number : ea09018) according to them my vehicle did not require the bracket to be installed. They treated the part with the preventive compound. During recent maintenance to my truck we notice the entire frame is completely rusted, to a point that you a easily poke your finger through the chasis in multiple areas. I took it back to Hyundai of louisville to be inspected. They informed me that the rear suspension lower link bracket (which was the only part recalled) needed to have the bracket installed because it does currently show damage. After contacting Isuzu they inform me that since the recall has expired they will not cover installation of the bracket. So I am now stuck with a family vehicle that is unsafe to drive! I did everything required of me during the recall. …
1998 Isuzu Rodeo engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 22 / 20 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo a good car?
Based on 478 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Rodeo rates avoid: 4.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Rodeo at the same age. It is one of the Rodeo years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo?
The brakes — 222 complaints, 46% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the body & structure (69) and suspension (59).
How many recalls does the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo have?
There are 4 recalls for the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo, the most recent from September 22, 2010 (rear). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Isuzu Rodeo?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003, 2004 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 1998, 2001, 2000 and 1995. See the full Isuzu Rodeo years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Isuzu Rodeo problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 12% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.