Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Isuzu Rodeo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
1998 Isuzu Rodeo severe frame corrosion resulting in the rear end almost dropping off of the vehicle. Discovered during replacement of cracked rear spring the back half of the frame has completely turned into crystalline rust. Repair of the frame has required welding new side plates onto the frame rails to strengthen the rear bumper support. Without the added support plates the rear bumper is has no protective properties at all. Inspection of this repair indicates that at best this fix will only last for a short period of time before additional structural failure of the frame occurs. Truck is only has 138,000 miles on a 12 year old SUV this should not be happening to this vehicle. Requesting an investigation into this problem it appears to be systemic to the 1998 to 2002 year models of this SUV. Requesting a recall and replacement of the vehicle frame. …
While driving at about 30 MPH I heard a loud pop from the rear of my vehicle. I immediately lost control, and the truck swerved into oncoming traffic. It was like it had a mind of it's own. I fought the truck back into my lane at which point it appeared to come up on 2 wheels (and it felt like it also), I was able to get stopped and pulled to the side of the road without collision. Upon further inspection I found that the vehicles frame rusted clean through and broke, the rear axle stabilizer arm also dropped off frame, causing the rear tires to lose any direction they had and wobble freely in the wheel well. This is the only time I have experienced anything like this, or ever seen anything like this. Once was enough. I have had it looked at by several frame and body specialists, even boilermakers, all with the same result, and the same answer, no. …
In regards to current safety recall no. 10v-436, I own a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo which has been found unrepairable by the vehicle inspectors I was sent to by Isuzu in compliance with the safety recall notice I recieved in December 2010. As the recall notice states, when repair is not possible, an alternative remedy will be provided. My inspection appointment ws March 16, 2010. My vehicle failed the safety and repairable conditions necessary for the vehicle to be driveable. I never got my vehicle back. I is still there. Three weeks have passed, no remedy has been offered. I have no means of transportation. The only communication I have had is one phone call offering a buyback of 1/2 the worth of the vehicle, $2500.00. I declined this offer as it is unfair, unjust, and I believe, illegal. I was told that I would recieve paperwork in the mail and another offer would be made. …
Frame is completely rotted out. Brought in for recall on brackets and the dealer, referred to me by the Isuzu web site, sent me on my way without warning me of any problems. The next week, my mechanic said it was unsafe to drive and said it looked like it was driven in salt water for a year. I understand things wear out over time, but the structure of the vehicle needs to be strong and last more than 10 years. They are still selling these vehicles at dealerships without warning potential customers of their issues. This to me is a big problem and needs to be resolved before anyone gets hurt. I have two small children and would not drive them in this vehicle, but some people do not have the means to get around some other way. …
I have a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo Jeep. A while back I had a piece of the frame repaired/welded, as it broke and the vehicle was unstable. I spent over $500 in repair costs to bring the vehicle to driving status again. To this day I still wonder if it is good enough to drive, as there is rust all on the under frame of the car. I have put so much time, and money into this vehicle, and I cant afford to just get rid of the car and get a new one. I have once thought that maybe the car had just sat in water before I purchased it, but due to the other stories I have read on this vehicle, I know now that it is not the case. Many people have experienced the same issues with the frame rust as I have. I have two young children that ride in this vehicle as well, and I am concerned for there safety as I hear that the condition of the vehicle can deteriorate over time. …
My 1998 Isuzu Rodeo, 94,000 mi, has a large (6") hole in the frame behind the right rear wheel. This hole was discovered yesterday when I took my car to liberty Mazda in wakefield, ma for a routine oil change. This frame damage was not present on December 20, 2010 when I had work done for safety recall no. 10v-436 at cornerstone Mitsubishi in wilmington, ma. The hole in the frame shows extensive rust and a large chunk simply fell out while I was driving. The car needs a new frame or is undrivable as an extreme safety hazard. I was told that it would cost approximately $8000 to repair this vehicle which has an estimated value of less than half that amount. …
January 2010 -1998 Isuzu Rodeo-backing out of driveway vehicle abruptly stopped. Upon investigation we discovered rear wheel of driver side lodged against inside of wheel well. Further discovered rear stabilizer bracket completely off of rear frame. Vehicle repaired by a welder who discovered 5 feet of frame rot in the rear of vehicle. He replaced rotted frame and fabricated new bracket. Visually inspected passenger side which appeared to be stable. April 4,2010-while traveling on interstate highway the vehicle made an unexpected very abrupt shift to the right. Visual inspection revealed the rear passenger side frame was failing.there was no prior warning in either incident. We have filed a complaint with Isuzu motors. We consider ourselves very fortunate not to have been injured as this problem is clearly a major safety issue.
Was driving to work one morning doing about 35mph, and all of the sudden the rear end of the Rodeo swerved almost hitting a car in the oncoming lane. Came to a stop and again rear end felt strange. Got to work and looked it over. Didn't see anything still little dark out. Called my mechanic he said check the frame. Sure enough the rear trailing bar broke free from the frame. My mechanic is a professional welder he said bring it over he would look at it. Had to tow it to garage where he raised it on a rack. The whole frame had all kinds of rot in various place. Rodeo is now junk. Only has 120,000 miles on it. Looks great on the outside. But its only skin deep!!! The day before this happened I had my daughter and her friends on the pa turnpike doing 55 MPH with no idea we could have all been killed.
Body complaints in other Rodeo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo?
NHTSA has 69 complaints about the body & structure of the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo, 14% of the model year's 478 complaints. The component named most often is frame and members (43 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Isuzu Rodeo body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Isuzu Rodeo body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 127,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.