Suspension complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
In Florida, I purchased my 2004 Isuzu Rodeo March 2005 at 134 miles. I've always had issues, but didn't know how to articulate the issues. My truck sits/leans to the right and low in the back. It is uneven as if the shocks or struts are off. Driving one night, the truck slams down/drops low out of no where while driving. When I am driving and need to brake, I have to brake then brake again. I dare not make any sharp turns by parking or anything it's like the truck will slip or axels bend. I am have trouble with the engine currently(September 2022). Oil is leaking but you can't see from where. The engine is making loud rambling sounds. The exhaust sounds muffled. My car parts are not exact because my Rodeo is built like a demo, seemingly. Power Reduced & check engine light happens randomly usually while on the expressway. It slows the vehicle down in the middle of flowing traffic. …
My vehicle is operated in minnesota where road salts are in constant winter use. On August 21, 2019 my mechanic hoisted my SUV and we watched with surprise as some flat rust slabs fell to his shop floor. He looked above the fall location: the spare tire is attached just below a well, and within the spare-tire wheel-gaps were additional loose rust slabs that had not yet fallen. They were removed. The mechanic then pondered a likely cause: he reasoned the metal plate (and/or the areas alongside it) that helps secure the spare tire might be excessively rusty. To see it he had to insert his head up into the well, but which did not give him enough of clear view to assess the matter adequately (nor could I manage to get much of a look). …
The contact's son owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated while driving downhill at 40 MPH around a curve with a child sitting in the rear seat, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that upon turning the steering wheel, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact continued driving until the vehicle responded. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while her son was driving the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe was severely fractured. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V436000 (Suspension) had previously been completed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,370.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that there had been extensive rust and corrosion near the axles. The vehicle was not inspected and diagnosed by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and indicated that the vehicle was excluded from an unknown recall campaign because nebraska was not considered a salt belt state. The manufacturer offered no solution. The vehicle was unable to be driven due to the failure of components potentially fracturing. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 10/18/17
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. …
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).
Related recalls (3)
Suspension › Rear
Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Rodeo and Axiom, and 2003 Rodeo Sport vehicles that were originally sold in, or are currently registered in, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware,…
Remedy: Isuzu will notify owners, and 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.
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.
Suspension › Rear
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Paint was applied unevenly on the rear axles, resulting in insufficient paint hardness. Should this occur on the surface that contacts the rear axle lower link bracket bolt head and/or nut, the nut May loosen.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear axle lower link joint nut and bolt.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Isuzu Rodeo years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (115), 1999 (85), 2000 (65), 1998 (59) and 2002 (15) model years. Suspension complaints make up 30% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Isuzu Rodeo suspension problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 13V-547 (rear, Oct 31, 2013); 10V-436 (rear, Sep 22, 2010); 00V-058 (rear, Mar 2, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Isuzu Rodeo suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 125,000 miles; 7% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rear (140 mentions), followed by the front (43).
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.