The problem
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park. In addition, these vehicles have an override that can allow the transmission to be shifted out of park with the ignition in the off position.
The risk
These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.
The fix
Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. Owner notification began June 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 03V-213 (03V213000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Isuzu Motors Limited |
| Component | Power train › Automatic transmission |
| Report date | June 5, 2003 |
| Owners notified | June 13, 2003 |
| Vehicles affected | 11 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the transmission & drivetrain
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 03V-213 repair free?
Yes. Isuzu dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. Owner notification began June 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time…
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 11 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.