Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Isuzu Rodeo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact recently became aware of severe corrosion on the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V436000 (Suspension) approximately 10 years ago. The contact believed that the recall repair should have covered more than just the rear suspension and that the entire subframe should have been included. The vehicle was taken to two independent Collision Centers and was advised that the cost of repair exceeded the value of the vehicle, and the vehicle was declined to be repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,819.
Daughter was driving call and steering suddenly seemed "funny". Pulled over, had car towed and was told the mounting bracket for the rear driver side sway bar rusted from the mainframe of the car and the car cannot be driven. Researched on web and Isuzu had a recall on this issue. Called Honda and they suggested we tow the car over 110 miles to the nearest dealership. If at that time they inspected it and determine Isuzu is at fault the May or May not offer any compensation. I feel it is unreasonable to require me to tow the car 110 miles. I examined receipts from the previous owner and Isuzu issued a recall on this car. The car was inspected on 11/10/11 and this was typed on the receipt: cau inspect found stage 1. Treat per recall. Complete operates as design. Labeled a stage 1 fix. Obviously, they did not fix the issue. Since Isuzu has recalled this car do I have any options? …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the spare tire detached from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the frame of the vehicle was rusted out. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that while at an independent mechanic for repairs, the technician noticed that the sub frame had corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Was driving down the road and my traction bar fell off causing me to crash into the curb. The whole frame is rotting out I had no idea of the recall until I looked into it now. How can I get my truck fixed?
I own a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. It only has 56,890 miles and should have plenty of life left in it. I took it into the local Isuzu service center for the recent safey recall. They installed the bracket kit per the recall. However, while installing the brackets, they discovered huge holes in the frame and said it is not safe to drive. There is no way a frame on a vehicle should deteriote this bad in only 9 years. I have owned vehicles that were 25 years old and operated in this same location (winters with salt usage on the roads) and never had a frame rust like the one on this 2002 Rodeo. The vehicle is now useless. I either have to scrap it or spend a fortune to replace the frame. Isusu should be responsible for a remedy. Had I not taken it in for the recall, I would not have known how bad of condition the frame was in. If it breaks while driving, someone could get seirously hurt or killled. …
The rear anti-sway bar on my 2002 Isuzu Rodeo has detached from theframe on one side causing the rear of the vehicle to sway dangerously from side to side. I had just brought the car in for the recall for frame corrosion and the dealership told me the area specified by the recall was fine and it was. They failed to tell me that the anti-sway bar was seriously corroded and becoming detached on one side. While I was driving home it did become detached and the vehicle fishtailed several times. I had just gotten off the interstate, I don't know what would have happened if I'd still been on the highway and traveling at highway speeds. I believe I would have lost control of the vehicle. The dealership informed me that the anti-sway bar and the section of the frame that it became detached from which is seriously corroded, are not part of the recall so they will not repair it. …
While driving my daughter to the local pool on July 4th weekend in my 2002 Isuzu Rodeo I noticed when I came to a stop that I felt movement in the rear of the car that I thought was coming from the rear end. Continuing down the road all of a sudden I heard this scraping noise and started to slow down because the car seemed to be pulling me off the road. The scraping noise was the rear tire rubbing in the wheel well. Called my friend to have the car towed. Upon further inspection it was revealed that the control arm for the rear end had broken off the frame. The bracket that the control arm bolts to had rusted off the frame. The frame is rusty all in that area.
The control arm on the left driver's side rear broke off from the frame while I was driving over a speed bump at approximately 3 m/p/h. This was on a macadam road and I knew the speed bump was there. I ended up getting the vehicle towed. I contacted my insurance company. Eventually, after analysis, the insurance company told me the entire frame is rotted beyond repair. Further, they stated that the incident could not have possibly caused all the frame damage. Vehicle is a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo s. I am the original owner. Vehicle is garage kept. 97,000 miles on vehicle. No warning at all that this would occur.
A recall was issued on my 2002 Isuzu Rodeo for rust on the frame. I brought the car in and the one small area affected by the recall was fine, unfortunately, several other places on the frame were rusted through and Isuzu doesn't want to hear about those so the dealer didn't address them. The car is unsafe to drive, I almost lost control several times driving it home from the recall appointment because they didn't fix the real problems with the frame. So now I'm stuck with a car that is unsafe to drive and a manufacturer who doesn't care and won't do anything about it.
Body complaints in other Rodeo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the body & structure of the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo, 22% of the model year's 101 complaints. The component named most often is frame and members (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Isuzu Rodeo body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo, though it has 2 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 2002 Isuzu Rodeo body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to body & structure 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.