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 1999 Isuzu Rodeo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the rear suspension was damaged after driving over a pothole. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered that the damage was caused due to rusting and corrosion of the rear driver side subframe. The vehicle was repaired, but also experienced rusting and corrosion of the rear passenger side. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven at various speeds, a strong fuel odor was present without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank corroded and the rear driver side of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. When the vehicle was fueled, the fuel leaked from under the rear driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the frame on the driver side was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was rusted and fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 137,000.
I also recently experienced the same problem with my Rodeo Isuzu. I was driving through town on my lunch break when I suddenly heard a metal 'popping' sound. I listened again and could not hear or feel anything. A few minutes later I lost control of my steering, fishtailing down a hill. There was really no where to pull off and I was about a quarter mile from my work's parking lot so I drove slowly, about 5 MPH back to the parking lot (shaking). It was very frightening but fortunately I was not on a highway going 60 MPH or I could have been seriously injured or worse, injured somebody else! My husband arrived and looked under the Rodeo and was shocked to see the underneath frame had been completely rusted out with the rear stabilizer bar detached from the frame. We took the vehicle to a frame specialist only to find the car is not repairable and virtually worth $0. …
I have a 99 Rodeo I was driving down the street on dec. 24 when the trailing arm separated from the frame it's a large miracle that I wasn't killed when I lost complete control of the vehicle. I had received a recall noticefor the bracket that came off the frame. I had my Rodeo towed to the locale dealer who after keeping it for one month finally called to inform me that the vehicle cannot be repaired due to the fact that the frame is so rotted they have nowhere to reattach the bracket. The Isuzu corp. Then called me to offer a ridiculous buy back amount of 1500 which they say is the cost of the repair they can't perform. The bracket that was recalled is not the real issue the rotting frame is the frames on these vehicles is so rotted through that no bracket can be reattached safely. …
We have a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo my daughter was driving at about 25 MPH during the rain when she gently applied the brakes, she heard a noise the Rodeo began sliding causing an impact which resulted in an accident. Various other times we would be driving and especially during wet road conditions the brakes made a noise causing the tires to rotate prematurely in an uncontrollable sliding motion.in 2011 we took our Rodeo in on recall no. 10v-436, (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.) the dealership performed the inspection which was determined that the recall should not be performed. Due to excessive corrosion the reinforcement bracket remedy would not be appropriate. …
We purchased this vehicle in 2000 from wright auto dealers, we were never notified or told about 1st recall, on 5/17 the bracket holding the frame broke, this vehicle was taken in for 2nd recall and we were told it was safe, only stage 2 a few months later after sitting in the garage the vehicle failed while on the road, we could have been killed. It has been almost a month, at first they said it could be fixed a week later they told us it was stage 5 and could not be fixed. The dealer also wright auto said they sent in forms and pictures to Isuzu, still we have been without our SUV for a month. Something needs to be done, we purchased this SUV in good faith that it was built right, we loved this vehicle and now we are left hanging with no word from anyone. …
I took my Isuzu to a dealer last summer for a nationwide recall due to premature frame rusting. I was told there are several "categories" that they could put a vehicle into as far as the amount of rust was concerned. After an inspection, I was put into the worst category that involved fixing. Any further rust, I was told, means the vehicle would have been junked. They ended up replacing a few suspension parts and installing two large metal brackets to reinforce the frame. Ever since the work, the car has made strange "creaking" noises. I've crawled under the car several times and cannot identify the source of the noises. Last week, while driving, a large piece of the frame rusted through and fell off. Today, I took it to a local shop for a break noise (unrelated to the frame.) they called me a short time later and told me the frame was not safe to drive in their opinion. …
Driving from the pittsburgh airport parking lot on a side road. Approximately 2 min after driving the car immediately lost control - no steering or brakes. It was extremely dangerous. The car veered across to the other side of the road I managed to miss oncoming traffic and just missed going down an embankment. Before coming to a stop there was a 'popping' noise from the car. Upon looking under the car one of the members has separated from the frame the car was then towed to the Isuzu agency in wexford, pittsburgh upon inspection the car was deemed 'dangerous' and beyond repair as the car needed a new frame due to excessive rust. …
Related recalls
Structure › Body
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with the performance requirements of FMVSS no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact."
Remedy: Dealers will modify the interior of your vehicle.
Body complaints in other Rodeo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1999 Isuzu Rodeo?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the body & structure of the 1999 Isuzu Rodeo, 13% of the model year's 550 complaints. The component named most often is frame and members (45 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Isuzu Rodeo body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V121001 (body, Apr 28, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Isuzu Rodeo body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 137,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.