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 1999 Isuzu Rodeo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had just come off the highway in my Rodeo and come to a slowdown on the entrance ramp to the main road and when I went to take off my torsion bar that holds my rear axle in on the driver side completely broke off from rust and there are several big holes of rust on the frame of this vehicle I have noticed by searching on the internet that this is a major problem with these vehicles which should be recalled and a payment given in fairness to the owners of these vehicles Ford had the same problems with the early 2000s wind stars and I own one of these when it was taken into Ford because I received a letter from Ford they would not release the vehicle back to me and paid me for the vehicle this is only fair that Isuzu does this to get these unsafe vehicles off the road I am so surprised someone has not been killed
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle fishtailed when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact notified the police, but a police report was not filed. The contact believed that NHTSA campaign number: 10V436000 (suspension) should apply to the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer advised the contact that he did not meet the guidelines for the recall. The failure mileage was 169,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 izuzu Rodeo. While driving 30 MPH, the forward mounting bracket for the rear suspension on the driver side detached from the vehicle, causing it to veer to the right. The contact also noticed corrosion around the detachment area. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
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. …
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 was told by someone who works for Isuzu that I needed to send pictures to Isuzu so that they could consider whether or not I have a complaint regarding my 1999 Isuzu Rodeo ls. I feel confident that my lower rear suspension brackets would have broken off because of rust if the rear upper brackets hadn't broken off first. My rear shocks have nowhere to attach and the vehicle bounces freely on the rear springs. I was told that since it was so dangerous to drive my car to charleston, which is about an hour away, that I could just take some pictures of underneath my car regarding this issue. I cannot find the phone # to which I was to call to get the email address to upload the pictures I've taken on the underside of the rear of the suspension. Also, I have added 4 invalid last 4 digits because the remaining numbers have been corroded somehow. Sincerely, [redacted]
I left a friends house and got on 295 when I heard a loud banging, then a short time later I lost my brakes. Come to find out that I was told the shock broke and because of that it broke my brake line and the support for the suspension was all rusted out. I was told by a friend of mine about a recall involving the suspension and what I had described was the problem. So I call Isuzu and they told me that as of dec. 2012 that they were no longer fixing any more vehicles with this issue and that there is nothing more they can do. Well since I bought the vehicle used I never received and recall notice. I could have had a very bad accident, considering I had 2 people cut in front of me and I had to use the emergency brake to slow down. This is bs. I cant afford to have this fixed and im pretty sure that this vehicle has too much rust to be fixed. So now I don't have a vehicle and need one.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH and going uphill when the lower link bracket fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a welding shop where the technician advised that the vehicle frame was severely corroded. The technician also stated that he was unable to locate the metal link needed to weld the link bracket back onto the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to the dealer. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V436000 (suspension:rear). The dealer advised that the repair would not remedy the failure of the vehicle due to the extent of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that they would repurchase the vehicle if it was beyond repair. The vehicle was not repaired and was left with the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH he heard a loud noise. While examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the crossmember was snapped in half. Various other structural components that held the fuel tank in place were also damaged. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who stated that they would repair the vehicle under the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 10V436000 (suspension: rear). They did not offer to repair the additional components because they were not covered under the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would only authorize repairs on the failures covered under the recall. The additional components were not repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000.
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 1999 Isuzu Rodeo?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the suspension of the 1999 Isuzu Rodeo, 15% of the model year's 550 complaints. The component named most often is rear (35 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 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 1999 Isuzu Rodeo suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 135,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 3 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.