1998 Isuzu Rodeo
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 222 of 478 complaints (46%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 118 in 1997 to 478 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450–4,150 | 3,450–4,150 | 3,100–3,900 | 3,100–3,900 | 3,300–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–18 | 15–18 | 16–20 | 16–20 | 16–19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–17 / 17–20 | 14–17 / 17–20 | 15–18 / 19–22 | 15–18 / 19–22 | 14–18 / 18–21 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–592 | 494–592 | 444–555 | 444–555 | 468–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 97 | 118 | 478 | 550 | 274 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 17 | 17 | 81 | 76 | 23 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 14 | 31 | 34 | 19 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo?
Brakes: 222 of 478 NHTSA complaints (46%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo get?
EPA rates it 16–20 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo?
EPA estimates $3,100–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 18 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | $3,100 (low) | 444 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 15 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 16 mpg | 19 mpg (low) | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg | 19 mpg (low) | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 39 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 22 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 32 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 30 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 222 | 67 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| Steering | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 77 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 20 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 29 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 74 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 22 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 10V436000 · Sep 23, 2010
Defect: 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 JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, AND KENTUCKY. VEHICLES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SUSTAINED EXPOSURE TO HIGHLY CORROSIVE MATERIALS USED IN SOME JURISDICTIONS FOR ROAD DEICING PURPOSES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE VICINITY OF THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT BRACKET FOR THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK PRIOR TO THE TIME THAT SUCH CORROSION WOULD NORMALLY BE EXPECTED.
Consequence: EXCESSIVE CORROSION MAY RESULT IN THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH.
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. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH CORROSION HAS DAMAGED THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AND AFFECTED ITS CONNECTION TO THE VEHICLE FRAME, A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED. IN THE RARE EVENT THE CORROSION IS SO SEVERE THAT THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKET REMEDY WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE, A REPURCHASE OFFER WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE VEHICLE'S OWNER. ALL INSPECTIONS AND REMEDIES WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE 10 YEARS OLD OR LESS. FOR VEHICLES OLDER THAN 10 YEARS, ISUZU WILL OFFER A FREE REMEDY, BUT ONLY IF THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN ISUZU SERVICE FACILITY, OR HONDA DEALER (AS APPLICABLE), DEALER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF WHEN OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WERE ISSUED. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. ISUZU OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727. HONDA OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP · Campaign 02I002000 · Jun 5, 2002
Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), THE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES IN CERTAIN TYPES OF BRAKING EVENTS.
Consequence: EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT COMPUTER ALGORITHM FOR THE ABS THAT IS BASED ON THE ALGORITHM USED IN ISUZU'S MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES, WHICH HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM. THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES, WITH THE MY 1998 2WD VEHICLES COVERED FIRST, SINCE THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE MOST PROBLEMS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 20, 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 1-800-643-4070.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 01I002000 · Jun 5, 2001
Defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1998-2000 RODEO (UE) AND AMIGO (UA) MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L 4-CYLINDER ENGINES. THE TIMING BELT COULD BREAK BEFORE THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CRANK BUT WILL NOT START OR THE ENGINE COULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT RESTART.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF THE TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TIMING BELT. DEPENDING ON THE CONDITION OR MODEL OF THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER, THE TENSIONER MAY ALSO BE REPLACED. ISUZU HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 22, 2001. OWNERS CAN CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-643-4070, EXT. 426, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 00V058000 · Mar 10, 2000
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THE BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK JOINT NUT AND BOLT.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD · Campaign 98V170000 · Jul 29, 1998
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. A GROUND CONNECTION TERMINAL WAS NOT PROPERLY CRIMPED IN THE SUPPLIER'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MANUFACTURING LINE. THIS IMPROPER CRIMPING PROCESS CAN LEAVE AN IMPRESSION ON THE TERMINAL THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A STRESS FRACTURE. S
Consequence: IF A TERMINAL IS FRACTURED, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAN RECEIVE AN ERRONEOUS SIGNAL INDICATING A HIGH VEHICLE SPEED, THEREBY CAUSING THE PCM TO CUT THE FUEL, CAUSING A 'NO-START' CONDITION, OR A POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER · Campaign 97V206001 · Nov 20, 1997
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER'S SIDE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT RUBBER FLOOR MAT. REPEATED MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVER'S FEET AND ACTUATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN RESULT IN A SHIFTING OF THE MAT'S POSITION. THIS SHIFTING CAN CAUSE AN INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A RESTRICTION OF THE PEDAL'S RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: ISUZU IS ASKING FOR THE RETURN OF THE FLOOR MAT SET AND WILL REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THE COST OF THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT SET ALONG WITH ANY RETURN SHIPPING COSTS.