Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local repair shop for routine inspection when the mechanic advised the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive because of severe corrosion. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was included in the recall under NHTSA campaign id 10V436000 (suspension:rear) and that the vehicle should be taken back to the dealer where they could take pictures of the level of corrosion. As a result, they stated that the remedy specified on the recall should be sufficient enough to repair the corrosion. According to the dealer, the vehicle was unsafe to drive and should be taken off the road. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 130,793. Updated 04/12/11 updated 01/13/2012
Vehicle will not pass inspection this year because of frame rusting out and other issues with the spring brackets and stabilizer bar....all are rusted out....Rodeo is now worthless....Isuzu had to know the frame was inferior material for vehicles 1998-2002...and did nothing except a worthless recall in 2011 and ignored the rest of the frame of the vehicle...contacted Isuzu about the problem and spoke to two reps....both basically blew me off....I asked to speak to their manager and was told that this is as far as it goes....and that it ain`t happening...great customer service!!hopefully something will be done about this....I see that there are many other Rodeo and passport owners out there with the same problem...this is a safety issue...someone is going to get killed....
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact was driving at 50 MPH when the rear end of the vehicle began leaning to the left, causing the vehicle to become difficult to control. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where the mechanic advised that the rear driver side frame was severely corroded. Parts of the frame had fractured from the vehicle as a result. The mechanic advised that the failure could not be repaired. The mechanic also recommended the contact having the vehicle destroyed due to the safety hazard of operating the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The failure and the current mileages were 114,149. Updated 11/12/10 updated 11/24/10
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that the under carriage was severely corroded and exhibited a loud noise when driving. In addition, the frame felt as it was separating from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact stated that repairs were made to the vehicle under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V436000 (suspension: rear) was performed on the vehicle in 2010. The contact believed that the repair did not correct the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000 and the current mileage was 250,000. Updated 8/31/12 updated 09/11/2012
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact was driving 65 MPH and traveled over a speed bump when the rear driver side wheel abnormally turned in the opposite direction that the vehicle was traveling. The contact stated that the rear suspension had completely detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and they confirmed to the contact that the vehicle qualified for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number:10V436000 (suspension:rear), but the recall was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 161,000.
I was driving vehicle on state route. Began hearing what sounded like small rocks or cinders. Now on the road though. Then the car started to sway some as I went around a turn. I pulled over and looked under vehicle and found my right rear sway bar bracket had rusted through and the bar was hanging on that side tried to weld a piece of metal to frame to make a new bracket and discovered the frame is also rusted through in places. My car is unsafe to drive now and is basically totaled. I have no other vehicle to drive. Called Isuzu and was informed it was my problem not theirs.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the rear end of the vehicle began to sway. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road and then drove on the shoulder at a low speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the rear axle would need to be replaced. There was a recall related to the defect under NHTSA campaign id number 00V058000 (suspension: rear); however the recall expired. The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. The contac received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 10V436000 (suspension:rear) and the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the actual frame of the vehicle was severely corroded, not just the mounting bracket. Due to the actual frame being severely corroded the recall remedy would not be sufficient in correcting the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 90,000. Updated 03/08/11 updated 03/09/11
Related recalls
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.
NHTSA investigations
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…
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…
Suspension complaints in other Rodeo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo, 12% of the model year's 478 complaints. The component named most often is rear (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Isuzu Rodeo suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-436 (rear, Sep 22, 2010); NHTSA recall 00V-058 (rear, Mar 2, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Isuzu Rodeo suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 145,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.