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 2000 Isuzu Rodeo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle veered to the left independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 10V436000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.
The events leading up to the failure are simple. Leaving our driveway and within two tenths of a mile there was a rear suspension lower link failure on our Isuzu Rodeo just as described in NHTSA action pe09030. Here are the actions / moments leading up to the failure. We simply gathered in our Rodeo. Pulled from our driveway on to a rural country road. Single lane and traveling a speed of approximately 10mph (luckily). It is on this road and with in two tenths of a mile from leaving our home the failure occurred. There was no warning whatsoever. When the failure occurred there was a loss of control, the rear end of the vehicle began swerving from left to right in a track about 3 feet from the original line of travel. …
I think the time has come for the NHTSA to seriously consider getting the remaining Isuzu Rodeo's off the road - they are not safe. I like a majority of other Isuzu owners suffer from excessive corrosion all over the frame - I had the recall repair done and this was supposed to be treated but it has progressively gotten worse and now I am at the point where I have a reliable everyday car that starts up right away, runs well and cuts through the snow (4x4) but due to manufacturing errors now has a flaky, brittle hole ridden wheel well frame on both sides that will cause an accident after the wheel goes flipping off the car and causing it to flip over. Isuzu has turned a blind eye and won't take any calls (once you find them). A recall must be issued and make the manufacturer take responsibility for whatever shady processes they used on the assembly line. …
I bought my 2000 Rodeo new and it currently has 37000 actual miles. I recently saw rust in the driveway. I took this car to a Honda body shop to see the underbody. Before putting it on the lift they saw that the frame was excessively rusted. Once in the air they looked at the whole underside and said that the frame and the lower control arm were holed with rust. I asked if any of this was repairable.they said they would not do the work because they would not assume the liability of a serious accident. This vehicle had the fixes prescribed by campaign 10v-436 sb 10-11-s002a completed at sellers truck center in farmington hills, mi on September 9, 2011. This addressed the rear suspension but obviously the corrosion was so pervasive that this campaign was just a band-aid. …
Was driving w/my handicapped daughter when the car swayed front one way back the other heard a terrible scraping noise thought I had a flat tire ,looked tires were fine looked under the car and the frame right near the gas tank broke and is completely rusted I looked and there are at least 20 complaints and Isuzu does nothing about it , I think this is outrages as there could have been a fire an my daughter could have be burnt before I could get her out I don't know why the company is not held responsible and recalls are not demanded. I think that you have an obligation to do something about this condition, Isuzu knows about it as they have a 12 month warranty on corrosion knowing that it won't happen that soon. I also would like to know if you intend to do something about this before there is some horrible accident. …
The vehicle I have purchased new, originally as a lease and purchased it at the end of the lease. The body and interior are in great shape as we cared for the vehicle. The frame is another story, it has holes rotted in it the size of golf balls. Dealer stating the transmission could fall out and create a accident regardless of all the rot on the area's the suspension connects to the frame which could dis-connect at any time. I used this vehicle as a family vehicle and then was insulted by the manufacturer as to the value of the vehicle. Manufacturer stated unsafe to continue using and offers a low book value which is only half of what the vehicle is worth to our family. The problem with the vehicle was the manufactures using inferior materials they should be made to replace the frame at their expense, even if it means having it made special. …
Lost control of vehicle with no warning on the freeway during rush hour .. General motors / Isuzu / Honda recall said it is the bracket detaching from the frame . It is not . The bracket pulled a piece of frame from my vehicle . The frames of these vehicles are the problem " not " the bracket . The bracket is in excellent condition as well as the weld to the piece of frame which was " tore " from the rest of the frame . These frames are collapsing , rusting out far before their time . NHTSA & transport Canada both need to open an " new investigation " into the frames of these vehicles & what's in them , production & testing of the frames . General motors also did not offer me a fair price for my vehicle and treated me in a terrible manner . It is still not resolved after 1 year & 4 months , nothing has been resolved !!! NHTSA & transport Canada need to investigate these frames !
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.
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 2000 Isuzu Rodeo?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the suspension of the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo, 24% of the model year's 274 complaints. The component named most often is rear (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Isuzu Rodeo suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-436 (rear, Sep 22, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Isuzu Rodeo suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 4 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.