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 2000 Isuzu Rodeo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
After exiting a parking lot and when approaching the traffic signal (already red) at a speed less than 5mph (the signal was approx 5 car lengths from the parking lot exit), while further slowing (braking) to line up behind the last of the 2 cars already stopped at the signal, the Rodeo unexpectedly accelerated which required the driver to aggressively and continuously apply the brakes. The Rodeo slowed but could not be stopped within a distance of approx 2-3 car lengths and resulted in contact with the 2nd car which was stopped at the signal. After exchanging insurance info with the involved parties, the Rodeo was driven directly to ckm auto service to diagnose the cause of the unexpected acceleration. Ckm did not find sources which May have created this problem ... Ckm also retained the Rodeo and drove it a period of days to attempt to recreate the problem. …
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).
Vehicle accelerated while coasting causing vehicle to fish-tail and spin out. Once vehicle corrected brakes/ABS did not engage (no pulse in brake pedal no squealing tires) resulting in vehicle careening of the road.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and jerked when the brake pedal was depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they stated that the front brakes were overheated and cracked. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on four separate occasions for identical failures. Recently, the mechanic stated that the failures were related to a defect with the antilock brake system unit and electrical issues. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 91,313.
I purchased the vehicle used in October of 2002. It has 23000+ miles on it. It currently has 35000+ miles on it and the engine is clicking. The dealership notified me that the engine is no good. Not only did the engine go bad, but we've been putting oil in the engine like mad. I think we've purchased 6 quarts of oil in the 8 month period and there is no leak and Isuzu states this is "normal". Also at just over 30000 miles the ABS light came on. The intake gasket had to be replaced 1 month after purchase and that in turn caused one of the valves (EGR I think) to need replaced as well.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact was driving 5 MPH and while applying the brakes, the vehicle would not respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the rear shock brackets were rusted and fractured from the vehicle. When the failure occurred, the brackets struck the brake lines and caused a loss of brake fluid and braking power. The mechanic repaired the brake lines but the rusted shock bracket was not repairable. The contact attempted to call both the dealer and manufacturer but was unsuccessful. The failure mileage was 91,800.
In stop and go traffic the brakes will sometimes fail without warning. They will make a grinding sound and at the same time the pedal goes to the floor. I have had several close calls and finally I rear ended someone causing damage to my vehicle only. Isuzu has checked this out twice and can't find anything wrong. There are websites I've been in where people describe the same exact thing happening to them with the same make and model. It's obvious there's a problem but nothing is being done about it. What shall we do?
On 3 separate occasions when brakes applied, the vehicle went through red light, at times feeling as if there were no brakes. Also vehicle is going on anti-lock braking system (ABS) mode when traveling on gravel, mud and at times on pavement when applying brakes at 20/30 MPH. Dealer adjusted the rear brakes and found the brake system to operate as designed and concluded that hitting a bump when braking can also cause the ABS to activate.
200 Isuzu Rodeo--braking problem--pedal goes to floor-extended braking time, brakes have completely failed one time. Have had grinnding noise when applying brakes over small bumps, with loss of brakes. The car has been to 3 independent mechanics to have brakes checked and all say pads and rotors are fine, but braking is still very difficult.
When driving and applying the brakes they did not stop at a safe distance. On two occasions vehicle went through the intersection, almost causing an accident. This happened to the consumer once and to the consumer's daughter once. The manufacturer and dealer were notified.
Brake complaints in other Rodeo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo, 13% of the model year's 274 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Isuzu Rodeo brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo, though it has 3 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 2000 Isuzu Rodeo brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.