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FaultScore report

2003 Isuzu Rodeo problems

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo with NHTSA between 2003 and 2018. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 12 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Isuzu Rodeo All 2003 cars
B

FaultScore 32/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Isuzu Rodeo.

How this is worked out

The numbers

19

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

42,898 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

41%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 4 vs 50 Severity 54 vs 50 Early failure 70 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 4
Against the median year of the Isuzu Rodeo. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 54
10.5% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 70
41% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2003 compares with every other Isuzu Rodeo

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2003 Isuzu Rodeo

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Body & Structure 4 21.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 88,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 4 21.1%

Median failure at 25,871 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 2 10.5%

Median failure at 150,000 miles

Suspension 2 10.5%

Median failure at 124,949 miles

Brakes 2 10.5%

Median failure at 21,674 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 10.5%

Median failure at 44,328 miles

Wheels 1 5.3%

Median failure at 42,898 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 5.3%

Median failure at 10,251 miles

Electrical System 1 5.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 7,162 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 2 11.8%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 2 11.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 11.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 6 35.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 11.8%
150,000+ miles 3 17.6%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Oct 2003 peak 3 Oct 2018

NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP18001 Opened 23 May 2018 Closed 5 Mar 2020 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

Fuel Tank Retention Failure

On April 10, 2018, NHTSA received a petition from Mr. Kevin Byrne (the Petitioner) requesting that the Agency ?undertake a defects investigation? of ?rust-related detachment of Isuzu Rodeo fuel tanks? (NHTSA ID 11091788). The Petitioner experienced a partial fuel tank detachment in his model year (MY) 2004 Isuzu Rodeo in July 2017. On May 23, 2018, ODI opened DP18-001 to evaluate the Petitioner?s request for a defect investigation. ODI sent information request letters to Isuzu and Honda requesting production, design history and field data related to fuel tank retention failures in MY 2001-2004...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 88,000 miles Byfield, MA Crash

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ISUZU RODEO. THE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRAME RAIL WAS ROTTEN AND CAUSED THE AXLE TO DETACH FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA complaint #10513007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,162 miles Tucson, AZ Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2003 ISUZU RODEO 2WD- CHRONIC INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS W/IGNITION STICKING IN ON POSITION ON COLD START AND ENGINE REVVING HIGH AND HANGING HIGH 1700-2000 RPM'S, WITH COOLER DAMPER WEATHER, INTERMITTENT AND MORE FREQUENT IGNITION STICKING PROBLEMS GRADUATING TO IGNITION LOCK UP AFTER ENGINE STARTED: IGNITION LOCKS, CAN'T SHUT DOWN AND ENGINE CONTINUES TO REV AT HIGH RPM'S 2000-2200, UNANTICIPATED ENGINE POWER AND PROPULSION. 1/27/04, COLD START LATE AM, IGNITION STICKING IN ON POSITION, ENGINE REVVING HIGH, THEN DROPS SLOWLY, DROVE 45 MINS, PARKED ON WARM START MID-DAY, IGNITION LOCKED UP, CONTINUED GRINDING ON A STARTED ENGINE AND ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV TO 2200 RPM'S AND HANG HIGH, WITH EXCESSIVE POWER TO ENGINE. RPM DROPPED SLOWLY, ENGAGED IN REVERSE, TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE AND IMMEDIATELY PROPELLED BACKWARD AT UNEXPECTED SPEED ABOUT 1+ CAR LENGTHS INTO FENCE AND TREE. EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO REAR OF VEHICLE. IZUSU DEALER, ROYAL OF TUCSON, AZ, ALLEGEDLY UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ON BOTH SERVICES, (683 MI & 4747 MI)SINCE INCEPTION BEFORE 683 MILES; UNWILLING TO WARRANTY REPAIR W/O DUPLICATION DESPITE EQUIPMENT FAILURE AND SAFETY ISSUES. OWNER SUSPECTS FAULTY ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS FAILING TO TRANSMIT FROM IGNITION TO MAIN COMPUTER, AND POSSIBLY IN BETWEEN. SYMPTOMS EXPERIENCED BY IZUZU W/ AUTO'S MANUFACTURED IN 1989-1993 IN AN ATTEMPTED RECALL EFFORT BY NAT'L HWY SAFETY COUNCIL- IGNITION/ECU DEFECTS CONFIRM SYMPTOMS CUSTOMER REPORTED TO ROYAL IZUSU DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10019829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 150,000 miles Allentown, PA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION REGARDING FUEL TANK RETENTION. THE FUEL TANK SHIELD ON THIS VEHICLE IS ROTTING AWAY DUE TO RUST AND ONE OF THE TWO FUEL TANK STRAPS HAS ALREADY BROKEN. THERE IS NO ACCESIBILITY TO AN OEM OR AFTERMARKET SHIELD, THE PART IS DISCONTINUED AND AFTERMARKET COMPANIES DO NOT PRODUCE IT AS FAR AS I CAN FIND. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND IT WOULD BE SERIOUSLY EXPENSIVE TO GET A NEW SHIELD MANUFACTURED BY A MACHINE SHOP. DUE TO A LACK OF RODEO'S ON THE ROAD, THERE ARE NO VIABLE OPTIONS I'VE FOUND AT LOCAL JUNKYARDS TO GET A REPLACEMENT SHIELD. WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED RECENTLY I NOTICED THE FUEL TANK CORROSION BUT WAS UNAWARE OF THE LAXK OF AVAILABILITY. THIS HAS TURNED INTO A MUCH MORE WORRYSOME AND PROBLEMATIC ISSUE THAN I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. I KNOW THIS ISSUE IS BEING LOOKED INTO ALREADY BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE MY COMPLAINT WAS ON FILE, AND TO POSSIBLY PROVIDE MORE INSIGHT AS TO WHY IT'S SUCH A LARGE ISSUE. IF THE OTHER STRAP BREAKS AS WELL IT WILL TURN INTO A MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #11138931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10568873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Byfield, MA Crash

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ISUZU RODEO. THE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRAME RAIL WAS ROTTEN AND CAUSED THE AXLE TO DETACH FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA complaint #10513007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 207,000 miles Weare, NH

SUSPENSION

FRAME RUST PROBLEM IDENTICAL TO THE 2002 ISSUE MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10491757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 207,000 miles Weare, NH

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME RUST PROBLEM IDENTICAL TO THE 2002 ISSUE MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10491757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Madison, IN

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION OF FRAME. 2003 ISUZU RODEO.

NHTSA complaint #10331262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,953 miles Deer Park, TX

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

THE "U" BRACKET WHICH PREVENTS THE DRIVE SHAFT FROM FALLING DOWN BROKE OFF AND SLID DOWN THE SHAFT AND WORE THE SHAFT DOWN AND MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10285225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,000 miles Ossian, IA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

03 ISUZU RODEO 3.2L BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. TAKES A QUART EVERY 250 MILES. DONE EVERYTHING RECOMMENDED AT THE RECOMMENDED INTERVALS, OIL CHANGES, EGR VALVE, PCV VALVE, ECT. I AM VERY GOOD ABOUT CHANGING RECOMMENDED PARTS WHEN NEEDED. THIS ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE TAKING OIL. I DO NOT TOW OR REV OVER 5,000 RPM, EVER! OTHER ISUZU OWNERS HAVE ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THIS TO ME, THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ISUZU ENGINE. I NOW NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT A COST OF 3,000 PLUS INSTALLATION LABOR CHARGES. THIS IS THE THIRD RODEO I HAVE HAD, GOOD LUCK WITH THE OTHER TWO, BUT NOT THIS ONE. IF THIS CANNOT BE RESOLVED, I WILL PURCHASE ANOTHER MODEL IN THE FUTURE.

NHTSA complaint #10239068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lumberton, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

CONSUMER HAS TRIED TO HAVE RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NO PARTS. *TS RECALL #05V466000.

NHTSA complaint #10154061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,251 miles Miami, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DT: 2003 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE IN MOTION. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON . THE WHOLE DASHBOARD PANEL STARTED BLINKING. THIS OCCURRED IN SEPTEMBER 2004. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP , THEY CHANGED THE ODOMETER SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WORKED FOR A WHILE AFTER THAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2004, AND THEY CHANGED THE SAME PART. THE PART WORKED FROM THEN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY REPLACED THE SAME PART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER A FOURTH TIME, AND THEY SPRAYED SILICONE AROUND THE PART. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAS WATER INSIDE THE SPEED SENSOR CONNECTOR.

NHTSA complaint #10140119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,898 miles Santa FE Spring, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT: THE CONTACT'S MOTHER HAD BOUGHT A CAR ON 9-23-05, AND SHE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF PROBLEMS. THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND SQUEALING. THE ALIGNMENT WAS SEVERELY OFF, AND THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OUT OF CENTER. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT ANY SPEED THE FRONT WHEELS STOPPED, AND IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS HITTING THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK IT AND FIXED NINE THINGS REGARDING THE WHEELS, THE BRAKES AND OTHER THINGS. SHE WAS NOT SURE EXACTLY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE MOTION IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. SHE WANTED A NEW CAR. A MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE MANAGER THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10138113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,898 miles Santa FE Spring, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

DT: THE CONTACT'S MOTHER HAD BOUGHT A CAR ON 9-23-05, AND SHE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF PROBLEMS. THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND SQUEALING. THE ALIGNMENT WAS SEVERELY OFF, AND THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OUT OF CENTER. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT ANY SPEED THE FRONT WHEELS STOPPED, AND IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS HITTING THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK IT AND FIXED NINE THINGS REGARDING THE WHEELS, THE BRAKES AND OTHER THINGS. SHE WAS NOT SURE EXACTLY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE MOTION IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. SHE WANTED A NEW CAR. A MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE MANAGER THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10138113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,898 miles Santa FE Spring, CA

WHEELS

DT: THE CONTACT'S MOTHER HAD BOUGHT A CAR ON 9-23-05, AND SHE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF PROBLEMS. THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND SQUEALING. THE ALIGNMENT WAS SEVERELY OFF, AND THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OUT OF CENTER. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT ANY SPEED THE FRONT WHEELS STOPPED, AND IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS HITTING THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK IT AND FIXED NINE THINGS REGARDING THE WHEELS, THE BRAKES AND OTHER THINGS. SHE WAS NOT SURE EXACTLY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE MOTION IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. SHE WANTED A NEW CAR. A MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE MANAGER THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10138113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles THE Colony, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2003 RODEO ENGINE FAILUE AT 48K. ISUZU REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY AND BLAMING ME FOR DAMAGE BECAUSE I CANNOT PRODUCE ALL OF MY OIL CHANGE RECIEPTS. MY 2000 RODEO ENGINE FAILED AT 35K AND ISUZU REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM AMAZED AT HOW MANY COMPLAINTS AND "OIL USAGE" POST I AM FINDING ON THE WEB FROM OTHER ISUZU OWNERS.

NHTSA complaint #10125027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,742 miles Frederiksted, VI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED A KNOCKING NOISE WAS PRODUCED FROM THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10095400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20 miles Weston, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

2003 ISUZU RODEO 4CYL. PURCHASED NOV 28 2003.

NHTSA complaint #10064078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,703 miles Virginia Beach, VA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE RODEO WAS THREE MONTHS OLD WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE GAS MILEAGE WAS DECREASING AT AN ALARMING RATE. (LESS THAN 12 MILES PER GALLON) UPON TAKING THE RODEO TO THE SHOP I WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD A SEAL ON THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS LEAKING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO WORK HARDER, BURNING MORE GAS. ( I SAW NO OIL) THE SEAL WAS REPLACED BUT THE LEAK CONTINUED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT IT WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS OLDER I WOULD HAVE DISMISSED THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO AGE. SINCE IT IS SO NEW I WONDERED IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THIS. MY RODEO IS AN AUTOMATIC.

NHTSA complaint #10060163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,162 miles Tucson, AZ Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2003 ISUZU RODEO 2WD- CHRONIC INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS W/IGNITION STICKING IN ON POSITION ON COLD START AND ENGINE REVVING HIGH AND HANGING HIGH 1700-2000 RPM'S, WITH COOLER DAMPER WEATHER, INTERMITTENT AND MORE FREQUENT IGNITION STICKING PROBLEMS GRADUATING TO IGNITION LOCK UP AFTER ENGINE STARTED: IGNITION LOCKS, CAN'T SHUT DOWN AND ENGINE CONTINUES TO REV AT HIGH RPM'S 2000-2200, UNANTICIPATED ENGINE POWER AND PROPULSION. 1/27/04, COLD START LATE AM, IGNITION STICKING IN ON POSITION, ENGINE REVVING HIGH, THEN DROPS SLOWLY, DROVE 45 MINS, PARKED ON WARM START MID-DAY, IGNITION LOCKED UP, CONTINUED GRINDING ON A STARTED ENGINE AND ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV TO 2200 RPM'S AND HANG HIGH, WITH EXCESSIVE POWER TO ENGINE. RPM DROPPED SLOWLY, ENGAGED IN REVERSE, TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE AND IMMEDIATELY PROPELLED BACKWARD AT UNEXPECTED SPEED ABOUT 1+ CAR LENGTHS INTO FENCE AND TREE. EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO REAR OF VEHICLE. IZUSU DEALER, ROYAL OF TUCSON, AZ, ALLEGEDLY UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ON BOTH SERVICES, (683 MI & 4747 MI)SINCE INCEPTION BEFORE 683 MILES; UNWILLING TO WARRANTY REPAIR W/O DUPLICATION DESPITE EQUIPMENT FAILURE AND SAFETY ISSUES. OWNER SUSPECTS FAULTY ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS FAILING TO TRANSMIT FROM IGNITION TO MAIN COMPUTER, AND POSSIBLY IN BETWEEN. SYMPTOMS EXPERIENCED BY IZUZU W/ AUTO'S MANUFACTURED IN 1989-1993 IN AN ATTEMPTED RECALL EFFORT BY NAT'L HWY SAFETY COUNCIL- IGNITION/ECU DEFECTS CONFIRM SYMPTOMS CUSTOMER REPORTED TO ROYAL IZUSU DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10019829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 450 miles Raleigh, NC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, INTERMITTENTLY CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND FELT A THUMPING SENSATION IN THE PEDAL. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE BRAKES NO LONGER WORKED PROPERLY. THE LAST TIME THE BRAKES FAILED VEHICLE HAD TO RIDE ON THE SHOULDER TO AVOID A COLLISION. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10044829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.