Isuzu

Rodeo

Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD · model years 1991 to 2004

Includes Rodeo 2WD and Rodeo 4WD as listed by the EPA.

The verdict

Best year: 2003. complaints: 17, below this model's typical 100; recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3.

Worst year: 1999. complaints: 564, about 5.6x this model's typical 100; recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Isuzu Rodeo
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1991	5Gas	15	$4,150	1	42	POWER TRAIN 24%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%
complaints: 42, below this model's typical 100 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 15 Score: 76 of 100, where higher is better.
1992	5Gas	15	$4,150	0	80	POWER TRAIN 22%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 80, below this model's typical 100 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 15 complaints reporting a fire: 16 Score: 37 of 100, where higher is better.
1993	5Gas	16	$3,900	1	34	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%, POWER TRAIN 11%, WHEELS 11%
complaints: 34, below this model's typical 100 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 62 of 100, where higher is better.
1994	5Gas	16	$3,900	4	82	POWER TRAIN 13%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 82, below this model's typical 100 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 13 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 51 of 100, where higher is better.
1995	5Gas	16	$3,900	1	176	WHEELS 13%, STRUCTURE 11%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10%
complaints: 176, about 1.8x this model's typical 100 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 33 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 9 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	5Gas	16	$3,900	0	97	WHEELS 19%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%, AIR BAGS 10%
complaints: 97, below this model's typical 100 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 12 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 50 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	5Gas	16	$3,900	0	118	STRUCTURE 20%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%, WHEELS 9%
complaints: 118, above this model's typical 100 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 14 Score: 65 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	5Gas	17	$3,650	4	486	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 35%, STRUCTURE 12%, SUSPENSION 10%
complaints: 486, about 4.9x this model's typical 100 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 31 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 8 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	5Gas	17	$3,650	3	564	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 27%, SUSPENSION 12%, STRUCTURE 10%
complaints: 564, about 5.6x this model's typical 100 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 35 complaints reporting a fire: 8 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	5Gas	16	$3,900	3	286	STRUCTURE 24%, SUSPENSION 19%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%
complaints: 286, about 2.9x this model's typical 100 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 19 complaints reporting a fire: 7 Score: 15 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	6Gas	17	$3,650	4	438	STRUCTURE 41%, SUSPENSION 22%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%
complaints: 438, about 3.7x this model's typical 120 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 16 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 8 of 100, where higher is better.
2002	6Gas	17	$3,650	3	124	STRUCTURE 19%, SUSPENSION 16%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%
complaints: 124, above this model's typical 120 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 7 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 57 of 100, where higher is better.
2003	5Gas	17	$3,650	3	17	STRUCTURE 25%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 20%, POWER TRAIN 10%
complaints: 17, below this model's typical 100 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 Score: 82 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	6Gas	17	$3,650	2	39	SUSPENSION 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%
complaints: 39, below this model's typical 120 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 77 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1991: 15 to 2004: 17

Owner complaints1991: 42 to 2004: 39

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Isuzu Rodeo to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.