Most common 2000 Isuzu Rodeo problems
Share of the 274 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Isuzu Rodeo complaints by model year
Best Rodeo years: 2003, 2004, 2002. Years to avoid: 1999, 1998, 2001, 2000, 1995. Compare all years →
2000 Isuzu Rodeo recalls (3)
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.
Air bags › Frontal
On certain sport utility vehicles, the passenger-side air bag inflator modules were manufactured and shipped without a necessary component known as a check valve pin.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bag. Owner notification is expected to begin during August or September 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles were built with the inflators in the passenger side air bag modules having the wrong amount of generant.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bag unit.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo:
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…
What 2000 Isuzu Rodeo owners say
Body & structure all 84 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving between 35-40 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle, which resulted in a side impact collision. The failure occurred without warning. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that due to severe frame corrosion, the frame detached and struck the rear driver wheel, which ultimately caused the crash. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. ...updated 03/08/17
I was driving down a local road (approximate speed 40mph). After hitting an average bump in the road the vehicle went out of control. It thrashed side to side several times before crashing into a ditch and landing onto its side. I had no explanation for the cause of the crash. However, when the tow truck arrived he showed us a large rusted out part that was hanging down in front of the drivers side rear wheel (I took pictures as well as the police).
Suspension all 65 →
Vehicle is very unstable due to insufficent dampening of the supension, dealer says this there is no problem. Truck will bottom out on slight bumps, and bounce up and down as if you were in a boat, the suspension parts are inferior compared to the weight of the vehicle. Condition is very unsafe and could cause loss of control in certain driving situations. Bounce = loss of tread contact to pavement = loss of control. All tires/points of supension (springs/shocks) have the same problem. Would not reccomend this vehicle to anyone other than a pirate, as they are used to the heaving and yawing of a ship.-----------catalitic converter / engine ~ catalitic converter was glowing red one day (with the usual check engine light) jiffylube employee in the pit pointed this problem out to me, laughing and saying it was right next to the gas line, which could cause a fire. …
I took the dealer Isuzu to lemon law and I was told it works as designed. The jury was so stupid it was un believable, they all came up to my wife and I and said make sure you take the car to the dealers to get it fixed. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh isn't that why I am here in court? Good luck people are stupid and we are stuck driving an unsafe care because consumer reports will not get involved. Lemon cars for sale any Isuzu cheap (related vehicle information: model year=2000, make=Isuzu, model=Rodeo).
Engine & cooling all 37 →
Vehicle is very unstable due to insufficent dampening of the supension, dealer says this there is no problem. Truck will bottom out on slight bumps, and bounce up and down as if you were in a boat, the suspension parts are inferior compared to the weight of the vehicle. Condition is very unsafe and could cause loss of control in certain driving situations. Bounce = loss of tread contact to pavement = loss of control. All tires/points of supension (springs/shocks) have the same problem. Would not reccomend this vehicle to anyone other than a pirate, as they are used to the heaving and yawing of a ship.-----------catalitic converter / engine ~ catalitic converter was glowing red one day (with the usual check engine light) jiffylube employee in the pit pointed this problem out to me, laughing and saying it was right next to the gas line, which could cause a fire. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact smelled the radiator burning. A mechanic stated that the thermostat failed. Isuzu stated that the thermostat, water pump, and oil seals needed to be replaced at the cost of $1,090. While idling at a stop sign, the vehicle shut down and would not restart. The vehicle had to be towed. Currently, the vehicle will not start and the diagnosis was that the trolley failed and caused the timing chain to come off the engine. The failure caused the engine to expand. The contact was informed that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01i002000 (engine and engine cooling:engine). The current and failure mileages were 77,000.
2000 Isuzu Rodeo engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 21 / 19 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 18 / 16 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 18 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo a good car?
Based on 274 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 Rodeo rates use caution: 1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the Rodeo at the same age. It is one of the Rodeo years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo?
The body & structure — 84 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frame and members. Next are the suspension (65) and engine & cooling (37).
How many recalls does the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo, the most recent from September 22, 2010 (rear). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Isuzu Rodeo?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003, 2004 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 1998, 2001, 2000 and 1995. See the full Isuzu Rodeo years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Isuzu Rodeo problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 90,000 miles; 15% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.