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). HE REASONED THAT MINNESOTA WINTER-SALT ROAD-SPRAY CAN REACH THE WELL (HE SAID THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING THERE CALLED A CARRIER ASSEMBLY OF PARTS) AND CORRODE THE PLATE, MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR THE SPARE TIRE TO COME LOOSE WHILE MY SUV IS MOTION, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD. WE DID PHOTOGRAPHY BUT DID NOT HAVE A FLEXIBLE-NECK CAMERA TO INSERT UP INTO THE WELL. SO ALL WE HAVE ARE SNAPS OF 1) MANY OF FLAT RUST SLABS THAT FELL DOWN DURING THE MECHANICS INSPECTION (SHOWN AS A PILE ON THE FLOOR JUST BELOW THE SPARE TIRE?S WELL LOCATION) IN ONE PHOTO, AND 2) AN UPWARD SHOT AT THE SPARE TIRE WITH SOME RUST SLABS THAT HAD NOT YET FALLEN, WHICH ALSO OFFERS A GENERAL LOOK OF WHEEL AND WELL RUST CONDITIONS THAT WE SAW. LASTLY, I DECIDED TO VISIT NHTSAS WEBSITE TO LOOK FOR SIMILAR INCIDENTS THAT MIGHT PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE. I CAME UP WITH ID #10649039. IT OFFERS A SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TEXTUAL NARRATIVE DESCRIBING REAR FRAME RUST CONDITIONS THAT MAKES MENTION OF A SPARE TIRE. I CREATED A PDF OF PHOTOS AND INCIDENT ID #10649039, WHICH I WILL UPLOAD AFTER THIS PDF. IT WILL BE TITLED PART2_IJN5-55344_ISUZURODEO2004TIRESUPPORTFAILUREVIN[XXX].PDF. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11254932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I THINK THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE NHTSA TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER GETTING THE REMAINING ISUZU RODEO'S OFF THE ROAD - THEY ARE NOT SAFE. I LIKE A MAJORITY OF OTHER ISUZU OWNERS SUFFER FROM EXCESSIVE CORROSION ALL OVER THE FRAME - I HAD THE RECALL REPAIR DONE AND THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TREATED BUT IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND NOW I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I HAVE A RELIABLE EVERYDAY CAR THAT STARTS UP RIGHT AWAY, RUNS WELL AND CUTS THROUGH THE SNOW (4X4) BUT DUE TO MANUFACTURING ERRORS NOW HAS A FLAKY, BRITTLE HOLE RIDDEN WHEEL WELL FRAME ON BOTH SIDES THAT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AFTER THE WHEEL GOES FLIPPING OFF THE CAR AND CAUSING IT TO FLIP OVER. ISUZU HAS TURNED A BLIND EYE AND WON'T TAKE ANY CALLS (ONCE YOU FIND THEM). A RECALL MUST BE ISSUED AND MAKE THE MANUFACTURER TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHATEVER SHADY PROCESSES THEY USED ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I NEED TO GO OUT AND PURCHASE A NEW CAR AND THAT I HAVE NO VALUE IN THIS CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT I CANNOT SELL AN UNSAFE CAR. MAKE THE MANUFACTURER BUY BACK THESE VEHICLES OR RECALL THEM! TOO MANY COMPLAINTS - AND YOU CANNOT IGNORE THE SAME REPEATED TREND - EVERYONE IN THE NORTHEAST HAS EXPERIENCED THIS HORRIBLE PAIN!
NHTSA complaint #10705188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON 2/20/14 THE LOWER REAR END OF MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD CLICKING SOUND AND AS I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN THE REAR END OF MY CAR UNDERNEATH MADE A LOUD SOUND CAUSING IT TO SWERVE QUICKLY.IT SCARED ME BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE THE BACK OF THE CAR WAS FALLING ON TOP OF THE TIERS (IF THAT MAKES ANY SENSE) BUT THAT'S HOW IT FELT DUE TO THE LOUD SOUND. SO NOW I FIND OUT THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE POOR WORK OF ISUZU RODEO,IT SEAMS THAT ALL 2000 ISUZU RODEO'S ARE UNDER A RECALL,AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM I'M A CAREGIVER AND NOW IM UNABLE TO GET TO MY PATIENTS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANY TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM WORK,I'M HOPING AND PRAYING THAT SOMEONE IN YOUR JURISDICTION CAN HELP ME FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS URGENT MATER,PLEASE SOME ONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DRIVES ONE OF THESE CAR'S ON THE HIGH WAY AND PEOPLE GET HURT.IF SOMEONE SAW HOW CORRODED THE REAR SUSPENSION OF MY CAR IS YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE ISUZU IS SELLING CARS LIKE THIS,,I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME,PLEASE,PLEASE......!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10566623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE ROTATING THE TIRES, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR FRAME OF THE CAR WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND CRACKING. THIS CAR HAD A RECALL IN 2010 THAT WAS RELATED TO CORROSION AND THE DEALER THAT DID THE INSPECTION AND "REPAIR" ONLY APPLIED AN ANTI-CORROSIVE COMPOUND TO THE REAR LINKAGE WHERE IT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. WE KNEW THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTING SEVERELY AT THAT TIME AND MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALER. HE SAID THE RECALL ONLY INVOLVED THE LINKAGE AND NOT THE FRAME. NOW THE FRAME IS SO CORRODED THAT THERE IS NO WAY IT CAN BE REINFORCED BECAUSE THERE IS NO METAL LEFT TO TAKE A WELD. THE WHOLE FRAME WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSIDERABLE COST. THERE IS LOW MILEAGE ON OUR CAR AND OUTWARDLY APPEARS PRISTINE. WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE DEALER WOULDN'T REPORT THE FRAME DAMAGE AS THE LINKAGE WOULD SOON FAIL IF THE FRAME ROTTED AWAY! WE WOULD HAVE TAKEN A BUY BACK AT THAT TIME IF IT HAD BEEN OFFERED AS STATED IN THE RECALL NOTICE AS FOLLOWS: "ISUZU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS BY MAIL, AND START THE RECALL EITHER IN LATE JULY OR EARLY AUGUST, ACCORDING TO A COMPANY SPOKESPERSON. THE NHTSA ACKNOWLEDGED THE RECALL IN A LETTER TO ISUZU ON FRIDAY. AT THE DEALERSHIP, INSPECTIONS AND REPAIRS WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE, AS LONG AS THE AFFECTED SUV IS NO MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD. SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS AND RULES MAY APPLY TO VEHICLES OLDER THAN TEN YEARS. VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SIGNS OF CORROSION. IF LITTLE OR NO CORROSION IS FOUND, THE AREA WILL BE TREATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE COMPOUND. FOR VEHICLES WITH CORROSION THAT HAS DAMAGED THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AND HINDERED THE CONNECTION TO THE VEHICLE FRAME, A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET WILL INSTALLED. IF THE DAMAGE IS BEYOND REPAIR, ISUZU WILL OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE BASED ON THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK "PRIVATE PARTY" PRICE." WE FEEL ISUZU SHOULD MAKE GOOD ON THE REPURCHASE AS THE "REPAIR" WAS A JOKE.
NHTSA complaint #10520058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRAME OF ISUZU RODEO IS RUSTED AND ROTTEN.. MECHANICS STATED ..GAS TANK IS DETACHED..SHOCKS ONLY THING HOLDING ISUZU RODEO UP BY AN INCH..NON REPAIRABLE.. NON FIXABLE AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE..REPAIR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE MADE..DUE TO THE CONDITION OF RUSTED FRAME AND ALL OFF THE ABOVE..NOT ABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS..EVERY PART UNDER VEHICLE RUSTED AND FALLING APART..ISUZU WELL AWARE...WE HAVE COMPLAINED DIRECT TO ISUZU COMPANY..WE WERE DIRECTED TO AN OFFICIAL ISUZU MECHANIC..THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT THEY SAW..THERE AFTER WE WERE REFERRED BY MECHANIC TO DIRECT ISUZU COMPANY..WE WHERE TOLD ..THERE IS A RECALL FOR A RUSTED BRACKET ONLY..BUT THE WHOLE FRAME IS ROTTEN,RUSTED,NON FIXABLE,UNSAFE ACCORDING TO ISUZU MECHANIC..
NHTSA complaint #10486109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1998 ISUZU RODEO TRUCK WAS VIBRATING AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF. *NJ THE CONSUMER STRUCK THE PAVEMENT WITH THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HUB. THE POLICE REPORTED STATED THE LUG NUTS WERE NOT SECURED PROPERLY ON THE HUB STUDS. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0519-91) *JB LETTER UPDATED 03/17/10
NHTSA complaint #10240458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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).
NHTSA complaint #10217902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VERY DISSATISFIED WITH VEHICLE. IT''S HAS MANY PROBLEMS FROM START. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND GOING INTO GEARS THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. CAR SHIMMY'S WITH NO AVAILABLE FIX. VEHICLE HAS STRONG SUSPENSION VIBRATION AND BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED AS SPEED INCREASES. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. THE BRAKE PEDAL NEVER SEEMS TO GO TO THE FLOOR, IT JUST GETS SPONGING AND YOU FEEL THE ABS PULSATING THRU THE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE DOESNT SLOW DOWN, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. FUEL SENDING UNIT IS OPERATING ERRATICALLY. GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY NEARLY ALL THE TIME REGARDLESS OF LEVEL OF FUEL. AFTER FILLING TANK GAUGE WILL RISE TO 1/2 THEN AS YOU DRIVE A FEW MILES IT WILL DROP AND READ EMPTY. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY MOUNTS HAVE COME LOOSE WHICH CAUSES AIR BAG ASSEMBLY TO MOVE AROUND BEHIND DASH. THIS RATTLE IS VERY BOTHERSOME. PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX PROBLEM, BUT THE RATTLE WAS BACK SOON AFTER. THE BOLTS CAME LOOSE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR. WHEEL STUDS ON 1998 ISUZU RODEO STRIP OFF. GLOVE BOX IN 1998 ISUZU RODEO STICKS AND HARD TO OPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10185955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1999 ISUZU RODEO RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. *TS THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE STRIKING A GUARD RAIL END, STRIKING THE DITCH IN THE MEDIAN AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER.
NHTSA complaint #10146487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
WHEEL STUDS ON 1998 ISUZU RODEO STRIP OFF, CAUSING WEEL TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. ISUZU SAYS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT WOUNT COVER IT DUE TO BEING OFF WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10102131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FOR THE 2ND TIME THE LUGS & STUDS ON THE ISUZU RODEO HAVE EITHER BROKEN/CRACKED OR STRIPPED WHEN A TIRE ROATION IS BEING PREFORMED. BOTH TIMES SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANUELLY TRIED TO REMOVE THE LUGS . AND AFTERWARDS TRIED TO TIGHTEN THE LUGS. AS A RESULT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE - SINCE THE STUDS ARE BUILT FROM THE INNER SIDE OUTWARD. NOW WITH SEVERAL LUGS STRIPPED AGAIN, I FEAR I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE AXLE AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10098491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE LUGS:NUTS/BOLTS BROKE WHILE SERVICING THE TIRES. THE LUGS:NUTS:BOLTS WERE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONSUMER WOULD BE CONTACTING THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10091858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE CHANGING OUT A FLAT TIRE, THE LUGS: NUTS STRIPPED THE BOLTS WHICH FASTEN TO IT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. EVEN WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF TIRE ROTATION AND BALANCING, THE SERVICE FACILITIES STRIP THE LUGNUTS. ISUZU DEALERSHIP INDICATES IT IS THE SERVICE FACILITIES TORQUING OFF THE LUGNUTS AT MAXIMUM PSI, HOWEVER, ALL FACILITIES INDICATE VERY POOR QUALITY IN METAL OF LUGS: NUTS.
NHTSA complaint #10083061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TOOK CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND BRAKE CHECK...ISUZU CERTIFIED TECH WOULD NOT REMOVE TIRES AS STUDS WOULD BREAK.BRAKES NOW SQUEALING AND NOW AFRAID THAT MORE STUDS WILL BREAK.CONTACTED ISUZU 1-800 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO INCORRECT TORQUE FROM OTHER REPAIRS TOLD BY GARAGE IT WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT WHICH FUSED THE TWO TOGETHER COMMON DEFECT ON 97 RODEOS.
NHTSA complaint #10082843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED A 1998 ISUZU RODEO FROM "VAN TROW" MOTORS, IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, IN SEPTEMBER 2003. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A LUG NUT MISSING. THE DEALER SAID TO JUST REPLACE THE LUG BOLT, THAT IT HAD STRIPPED. ON 04 JULY, 2004, I HAD A FLAT ON THE LEFT REAR. REPLACING THE TIRE, ANOTHER ONE LUG BOLT STRIPPED, AND A LUG NUT FROM A DIFFERENT LUG BOLT STRIPPED. I TOOK MY FLAT TIRE TO WALMART TO HAVE THE FLAT REPAIRED. THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON THE TIRE, STATING WALMART IS NOT ALLOWED TO DO ANY REPAIRS OF ANY KIND ON RODEOS DUE TO LUG BOLTS AND LUG NUTS STRIPPING TO SUCH AN EXTENT THEY CAN NOT BE HELD LIABLE AND THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. 1998 ISUZU RODEOS HAVE AN INHERENT DEFECT IN THE WHEEL LUG BOLTS. EITHER THE LUGS OR THE LUG NUTS STRIP OUT WHEN TIGHTENED BY AIR TOOLS OR HAND TIGHTENING, CAUSING THE TIRES TO BE DRIVEN ON LESS THEN SIX LUGS TIGHTENED. ISUZU IS AWARE OF THIS, AS WALMART HAS A MEMO AT EVERY STORE, STATING NOT TO DO ANY REPAIR WORK ON ISUZU RODEOS DUE TO THE LUGS STRIPPING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, AND THE LUGS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10079257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER CALLED FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. CONSUMER COULD NOT CHANGE THE TIRE BECAUSE LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS WERE ON TIGHTLY. CONSUMER TRIED AGAIN AND DRIVER SIDE LUGS/NUTS SHEARED OFF. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LUGS/NUTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS WAS THE SECOND SET OF LUGS/NUTS THAT WERE REPLACED. *AK THE VEHICLE'S LUG NUTS HAVE ALSO BROKEN DURING ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION.
NHTSA complaint #10076223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LUG NUT BOLT SHEARED OFF. I SAW WHERE OTHERS HAD SAME PROBLEM SO IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THE DEALER WHO BROKE IT. THE DEALER REPLACED IT BUT USED A LUG NUT WHICH HAS ALREADY RUSTED. I HAVEN'T TRIED TO TAKE THE RUSTY LUG NUT OFF SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE BOLT IS RUSTED TOO. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE LUG NUT, AT LEAST, BEFORE IT RUSTS ONTO BOLT. THIS SOUNDS VERY DANGEROUS AND NOW I AM SO PARANOID ABOUT ONE OF MY WHEELS FALLING OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING IT THAT I HAVE TO CHECK ALL FOUR TIRES EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE, I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT ANY FURTHER THAN THE LOCAL AREA AND AFTER ONLY 45,000 MILES, I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS A MONEY PIT THAT IS ALREADY USED UP.
NHTSA complaint #10064403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ORIGINAL AND THE REPLACEMENT TIRES DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL AT LOW MILEAGE. ALSO, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STRIPPING OF THE LUG, NUTS AND STUDS UPON TIRE REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10063024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.