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 2001 Isuzu Rodeo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Within the past few weeks we received a recall notice on our 2001 Isuzu Rodeo. I called the local Isuzu dealer and was told that they have not received the "tech bulletin" nor the parts to fix the vehicle but they would call me when they could get our vehicle in. They said it was only a minor issue that required spraying an anti rust spray on a part of the undercarriage. Yesterday, 01/30/2011 the left forward mounting bracket ripped away from the frame causing our vehicle to go into a irrecoverable clockwise spin. My wife and 2 year old son were in the vehicle with me. My wife was struck by flying debris and got some scratches and bruises. My son was secured in his car seat but was struck by flying debris and he got a contusion on his forehead and a black eye. I was able to fight through the spin and we ended up in a ditch with no other vehicles involved. …
My friend [redacted] and I were returning home from shopping in town. Hit a small pothole on spring street in vernon, ct about 5 pm. Took a left turn down a hill and heard scraping sound outside the car.I pulled over and stopped the vehicle, engaged the emergency brake and examined the wheels. The rear left tire was scraping against the mud guard. I was within .2 mi. From home and drove there slowly and carefully and parked the vehicle. On closer inspection we discovered that the shock/strut had separated from the frame, and that both parts were badly rusted. Since the left rear wheel is not safely connected to the frame, my steering was affected, especially when braking. Thank god this did not happen at high speed on the highway or involve injuries or an accident. My blind wife and I are both disabled on ssd and do not have the means to fix or replace this vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the rear of the vehicle started to swerve from left to right and the contact could not control the vehicle. The contact applied the brakes, but the vehicle became difficult to control. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the frame from the rear tires fractured and was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA campaign number: 10V436000 (suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
The vehicle rear suspension rusted to the point that while driving the stabilizing bar detatched while vehicle was on the road. The failure occured after recall repair was preformed 7 years earlier. At this point the izusu company is only willing to buy the vehicle back at 1888.00 us dollars thw vehicle only had 155000 mil4es and is 16 years old. The company inspecter stated that the recall fix was only a wax which I was never alerted to untill after the failure occured. I the company notified me of thr recall fix I would have taken the responsible steps to further reinforse vehicle suspenion as ti prevent an unsafe highway occuance.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving at an unknown speed, there was a vibration and pulling on the rear driver side of the vehicle. The contact coasted over to the side of the road and noticed that the rear driver side suspension detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V436000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 182,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle wandered out of lane and a loud popping noise emitted outside the vehicle. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the rear passenger stabilizer bar fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000. Updated 6/22/15 updated 9/18/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to fishtail into another lane without warning. The failure also occurred on the rear driver side. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V436000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
Rear suspension broke cause frame to twist. Front wheels went one way and back wheels went another way. I was on the freeway and the rear control arm on the drivers side broke, causing me to go into another lane. I was lucky and there was no vehicle in this lane. I was close to home and with my vehicle dog- trailing I was able to very slowly maneuver it home. It is useless and sitting in my garage at present
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for a routine inspection, the technician noticed that the frame under the rear of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V436000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly swerved out of control. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed severe corrosion on the passenger side subframe and that the rear suspension link bracket failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact did not alert the manufacturer or the dealer. The failure mileage was 100,712.
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 2001 Isuzu Rodeo?
NHTSA has 115 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo, 30% of the model year's 389 complaints. The component named most often is rear (54 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Isuzu Rodeo suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-436 (rear, Sep 22, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Isuzu Rodeo suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 119,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires 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.