1997 Isuzu Rodeo problems
The 1997 Isuzu Rodeo has 167 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (20%) concerns body & structure. Next are wheels (10%) and engine (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 167 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Body & structure 20% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 17 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 14 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 125,000 miles 50 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 9 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 10 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 4 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 50 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 125,000 miles. For body & structure specifically, the median reported mileage is about 144,000 miles (27 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 17 complaints mention a crash; 14 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 7th most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the Isuzu Rodeo with enough data (71 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving at 45 MPH the vehicle had direct frontal impact, and both driver's and passenger's airbags did not deploy which couldnt protect the occupants in the accident. Manufacturer said the vehicle didn't experience enough force to deploy the airbag, but had over $8000 worth of damages.
Dual airbags did not deploy during front end collision, front bumper grill hit by another motorist/went over double yellow line, both vehicles traveling 25 MPH.
Non deployment of driver's/passenger's air bags in a collision resulted in injuries. Also, vehicle sustained substantial damage.
The engine overheated with only 53,000 miles of very easy driving and regular maintenance. Needs major repairs and have replaced lug nuts every time tires are rotated etc.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 isuzu rodeo. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine service when the technician detected that the front passenger main frame rail was completely rusted. The extensive damages were beyond repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.