ISUZU RODEO · model year

1995 ISUZU RODEO

233 NHTSA complaints, 38 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1995ISUZURODEO carries 233 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 38 crashes, 1 fire, 49 injuries, and 5 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1995 RODEO is wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs with 26 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (18) and electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 1995 RODEO. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

233
Complaints
38
Crashes
1
Fires
49
Injuries
5
Deaths

Total Complaints

233 filings

Crashes Reported

38 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS26
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR14
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP13
TIRES11
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE8
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH8
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS5
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM4
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION4

Recent Complaints

20161210ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CLUTCH IN MY VEHICLE WAS REPLACED AND WITHIN 3 MONTHS IT HAS AGAIN FAILED. I HAVE LOST COMPLETE USE OF MY VEHICLE AGAIN DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL FAILURES AND THE CLUTCH FAILING

20161210POWER TRAIN

THE CLUTCH IN MY VEHICLE WAS REPLACED AND WITHIN 3 MONTHS IT HAS AGAIN FAILED. I HAVE LOST COMPLETE USE OF MY VEHICLE AGAIN DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL FAILURES AND THE CLUTCH FAILING

20150924UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE FRAME OF THE 1995 ISUZU RODEO HAS THREE SIX INCH BYE SIX INCH HOLES IN FRAME TWO IN THE REAR AND ONE IN THE FRONT, THE ENTIRE FRAME IS NO THICKER THEN A PIECE OF PAPER BECAUSE ITS ROTTED TO NOTHING. YOU CAN PUSH THREW IT IN SOME SPOTS WITH YOUR FINGER. THIS WAS TO BE MY DAUGHTERS FIRST VEHICLE BUT IS NOTHING SHORT OF A DEATH TRAP. I HAVE CONTACTED ISUZU WHO TOLD ME THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY CREATED FROM USING CHEAP METAL AND CHEAP UNDERCOATING AND THEY ADMIT IT. HOW IS THIS LEGAL IN ANY WAY

Mileage: 135,850

20121005STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

I PURCHASED VEHICLE FOR MY 16 YR OLD TO DRIVE AND FOUND OUT AFTER GETTING IT THAT THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH THE RODEO THAT IT IS RUSTED OUT BY THE SHOCKS ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT. *TR

20120813STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

WHEN WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE WE WERE TOLD THERE IS SIGNIFICANT RUST DAMAGE TO THE FRAME. IT COULD NOT BE FIXED AND AS A RESULT WAS NOT WORTH PUTTING MUCH MONEY INTO THE CAR. TODAY WHEN WE TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT GARAGE WE WERE TOLD THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRAME. I AM UNABLE TO FIND EVIDENCE OF A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

20111003STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST AROUND THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000. NEWER CARS WERE RECALLED. UPDATED 11/03/2011 *LN *TR

Mileage: 170,000

20110921STRUCTURE:BODY

I TOOK MY 95' ISUZU RODEO TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR NEW SHOCKS AND STRUTS. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE MECHANIC CAME IN THE WAITING ROOM AND SAID HE COULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST AND THAT THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HE WENT ON TO SAY ISUZU IS KNOWN FOR RUST AND HAS NOT MADE EFFORTS TO RECALL THEIR DEFECTIVE FRAMES. I AM NOW UNABLE TO PERFORM THE NORMAL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE NEEDED TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF MY VEHICLE AND INVESTMENT. THIS IS ALSO A HUGE SAFETY RISK THAT ISUZU SHOULD ADDRESS. *TR

Mileage: 163,000

20110921SUSPENSION

I TOOK MY 95' ISUZU RODEO TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR NEW SHOCKS AND STRUTS. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE MECHANIC CAME IN THE WAITING ROOM AND SAID HE COULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST AND THAT THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HE WENT ON TO SAY ISUZU IS KNOWN FOR RUST AND HAS NOT MADE EFFORTS TO RECALL THEIR DEFECTIVE FRAMES. I AM NOW UNABLE TO PERFORM THE NORMAL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE NEEDED TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF MY VEHICLE AND INVESTMENT. THIS IS ALSO A HUGE SAFETY RISK THAT ISUZU SHOULD ADDRESS. *TR

Mileage: 163,000

20110831STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

PURCHASED A 1995 ISUZU RODEO IT IS TIME FOR THE YEARLY INSPECTION AND WOULD NOT PASS DUE TO THE FRAME IS BROKE ON BOTH SIDES, RUSTED AND HAS HOLES THROUGH OUT FRAME. *TR

20110127STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1995 ISUZU RODEO 4 WHEEL DRIVE LS- REAR FRAME ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH, MANY M STRESS CRACKS IN FRAME. MECHANIC ADVISED TO PARK THE RODEO AND NOT DRIVE ANYMORE. BROUGHT HOME AND SAND BLASTED AND ADDED LOTS OF NEW STEEL TO FRAME. HAD TO CUT, REMOVE AND PATCH AREAS OF FRAME AROUND REAR LEAF SPRINGS AND REAR SHOCK MOUNT LOCATIONS. *TR

Mileage: 212,400

20101114STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1995 ISUZU RODEO 4X4 FRAME HAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND FOR SAFE VEHICLE TRAVEL. *TR

Mileage: 99,990

20101114SUSPENSION:REAR

1995 ISUZU RODEO 4X4 FRAME HAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND FOR SAFE VEHICLE TRAVEL. *TR

Mileage: 99,990

20100525STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

BOUGHT A USED 1995 ISUZU RODEO ONLY TO FIND OUT THE FRAME IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. *TR

20100524CrashSTRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY INTO FROM JUST IN FRONT OF THE SHOCK MOUNTS ON THE REAR OF MY 1995 ISUZU RODEO. THE REAR SHOCKS WENT THROUGH THE FRAME AN CUT THE LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP AN SHORTED IT AN IT DOES NOT WORK NOW. WE WRECKED RAN IN A DITCH AN NOW CAN NOT DRIVE IT.WE ARE NOW DOWN TO ONE VEHICLE AN MY WIFE HAS TO GET A RIDE FROM WORK FROM HER DAD. *TR

Mileage: 204,650

20100509CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

GAS PEDAL STICKS. *TR

Mileage: 103,139

20080709VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE SPEED DID NOT IMMEDIATELY REDUCE. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS STICKING AND REMOVED THE THROTTLE RUBBER BOOT FROM THE VEHICLE. HE WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS COMPONENT FOR THE SAME YEAR, DIFFERENT MODEL FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE VIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,300.

Mileage: 75,500

20080701STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

WE WERE PUTTING NEW BRAKES ON THE CAR, WHEN MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I WAS TOLD IT WAS UN SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 156,192

20080610VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

I GOT IN MY VEHICLE TO GO TO WORK AND WHEN I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GO FORWARD, IT DID NOT RELEASE. I HAD TO SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE TO STOP IT. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, I DISCOVERED THAT THE RUBBER BOOT ON THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD MELTED TO THE CABLE CAUSING IT TO STICK OPEN. I HAVE CHECKED AT ALL OF THE PARTS STORES AND NO REPLACEMENT PART IS AVAILABLE. THERE IS NO LONGER AN ISUZU DEALERSHIP IN THE AREA. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND REMAINS PARKED UNTIL I CAN GET IT REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 100,645

20080425ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY CAR ENGINE RISE UP AS IF MY FEET IS ON THE GAS ALL THE WAY. I CAN BE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE SPEED UP ON IT OWN AND THEN IT STOP. I TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY CAN'T FIND WHY. IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT GOING TO DO IT. I CAN CRANK IT UP AND HAVE IT RUNNING IN PARK AND THE ENGINE WILL RARE UP AND I JUST CUT IT OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE AND SOME TIME IT WILL DO IT AND THEN THERE ARE A LOT OF TIME IT WILL NOT. I HAVE BEEN BLESS NOT TO HAVE HAD A INCIDENT BUT IT HAS DONE THIS IN TRAFFIC AND I HAVE CAME CLOSE AND IT SCARE ME TO PIECES. 2. ELECTRIC LOCK SYSTEM LOCK COULD NOT GET OUT OF MY TRUCK DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN HAD TO BREAK LOCK LATCH ON DRIVER DOOR AND BREAK DOOR PANEL ON DRIVER SIDE FOR ME TO GET OUT. *TR

20080425LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

MY CAR ENGINE RISE UP AS IF MY FEET IS ON THE GAS ALL THE WAY. I CAN BE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE SPEED UP ON IT OWN AND THEN IT STOP. I TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY CAN'T FIND WHY. IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT GOING TO DO IT. I CAN CRANK IT UP AND HAVE IT RUNNING IN PARK AND THE ENGINE WILL RARE UP AND I JUST CUT IT OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE AND SOME TIME IT WILL DO IT AND THEN THERE ARE A LOT OF TIME IT WILL NOT. I HAVE BEEN BLESS NOT TO HAVE HAD A INCIDENT BUT IT HAS DONE THIS IN TRAFFIC AND I HAVE CAME CLOSE AND IT SCARE ME TO PIECES. 2. ELECTRIC LOCK SYSTEM LOCK COULD NOT GET OUT OF MY TRUCK DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN HAD TO BREAK LOCK LATCH ON DRIVER DOOR AND BREAK DOOR PANEL ON DRIVER SIDE FOR ME TO GET OUT. *TR

Compare 1995ISUZURODEO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1995 ISUZU RODEO have?
The 1995 ISUZU RODEO has 233 NHTSA complaints, 38 crashes, 1 fires, 49 injuries, and 5 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1995 ISUZU RODEO?
The most-complained component for the 1995 ISUZU RODEO is WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS with 26 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR.
Is the 1995 ISUZU RODEO safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.