Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
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. …
Vehicle was parked and unoccupied in front of owner's home - in first gear with parking break engaged and wheels turned toward the road. There was a clicking noise under the hood and, although parking break was applied, vehicle's wheels were rotating, as if the vehicle was "driving itself". Vehicle proceeded to hit another vehicle parked 6+ feet in front of it. When it hit the other vehicle it pushed and held the vehicle's frame about 3 inches forward. The engine started smoking and continued clicking. Fire and police were called. When fire and police arrived, firemen removed battery cables to vehicle and pushed vehicle back to the side of the road and the vehicle's body (vehicle that had been hit) swung back over it's frame. This very dangerous occurrence was witnessed by the woman whose vehicle had been hit. …
If I am decelerating and the front tires hit a bump or dip in the roadway, I lose the brake pedal. I have been told that this is an ABS activation, however, I find it hard to believe this is normal ABS operation. When I rear ended the vehicle, I was decelerating and rolled over a depressed manhole in the roadway causing the braking failure. I can reproduce the failure anytime. I have had Isuzu dealers test drive the vehicle, and they tell me this is normal ABS activation. I have driver four-wheel anti-lock break vehicle's and have never experienced this before. It has caused me to roll through red lights on numerous occasions due to rolling over road way defects while breaking. If ABS is suppose to shorten my breaking distance in lieu of a skid condition, I'd rather go into a skid. At least then I will have some control over my breaking. Please help... …
While driving at 45 MPH the consumers daughter (who was driving the vehicle alone) was changing lanes moving from the right to the left. Soon after crossing the divider lines she noticed brake lights ahead. The consumer's daughter depressed the brakes and heard a grinding, popping sound and the brake pedal sank to the floor of the vehicle. A few moments passed, then the brakes functioned properly, but not in time. The consumer's daughter collided with the rear end of the vehicle in front. The air bags deployed causing slight injuries to the arms and stomach of the consumer's daughter. The daughter also slightly injured her right leg in the collision. Police did arrive on the scene, but no one was cited. The manufacturer and the dealer were notified of the incident.
Dt: the contact received a manufacturer's recall 021-002 concerning ABS brakes. When she contacted the dealer, they said they did not have the part. Later, she scheduled an appointment and had to cancel it. When she called to reschedule the appointment they told her they had the part. Before the appointment they had to reorder the part. Before the repair could be made she was involved in an accident because of ABS. Failure. The contact was backing out of her driveway when the vehicle crashed into a fence. The contact sustained a, fracture d disc, and the root of her front tooth broke. There are medical records for the injuries. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer said they would send someone to inspect the vehicle and did not do it.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. Approximately three years ago, the contact received a recall notice for her antilock brake system. The mechanic would not perform the repair and stated that she needed to have her carburetor replaced. The repair would cost $2,000. The contact stated that she was involved in a crash approximately one year ago because her brakes locked. As a result, she crashed into the preceding vehicle while traveling 35 MPH. The woman she struck stated that her neck was injured, but she did not file a claim. The contact's insurance agency paid for the damages. The contact had to get her vehicle totally rebuilt. A police report was filed. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage is 95,000 and failure mileage was 70,000.
Dt: the consumer complained about an ABS brake problem. The brakes did not hold. The ABS light came on since June of 2005. On July 15, 2005 the brakes failed, causing consumer's vehicle to lightly hit another vehicle. No police report was taken.. When she took vehicle to the dealership , they cleaned the ABS sensor because it was corroded. The ABS light went off, and the brakes worked fine until September 29. 2005, and it almost caused another accident. After she took it to the dealer to be checked again, they said that it was a problem with the ABS.
While driving 30 MPH, the driver applied the brakes, because the motorist in front of her slammed on the brakes and when the consumer attempted to apply the brakes, the brake pedal went down to the floor which caused a collision. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer and the mechanic noticed that the rotors and other brake parts needed replacement.
While driving at 50 MPH, driver applied the brakes and they failed. Vehicle took longer to stop, and collided with the guard rail. After the accident consumer called the dealer to verify if there was any recall on vehicle. Dealer denied it . 10 months after the accident, consumer received a recall NHTSA letter 02i002000 concerning ABS brake failure.
NHTSA investigations
Braking system/ABS
Braking system/ABS
There is no summary currently available
Brake complaints in other Rodeo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo?
NHTSA has 222 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo, 46% of the model year's 478 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (161 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Isuzu Rodeo brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 67 crashes, 0 fires and 23 injuries to brakes 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.