Total Complaints
167 filings
ISUZU RODEO · model year
1997 ISUZU RODEO
167 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997ISUZURODEO carries 167 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 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 1997 RODEO is structure:frame and members with 18 filings, followed by wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (14) and air bags:frontal (10). 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 1997 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.
167
Complaints
17
Crashes
0
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
17 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 18 |
| WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | 14 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 10 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 8 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 7 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 5 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 4 |
| SEATS | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
Recent Complaints
20230319SEATS
This specific car with this VIN number is missing the back window and just a piece of wood is covering where the window should be. Grocery bags and rags are sticking out of the wood. A 10 month old child travels in this car in freezing cold weather conditions. Back seat rests were also missing from this vehicle so child is very unsafe in this vehicle
20230319VISIBILITY/WIPER
This specific car with this VIN number is missing the back window and just a piece of wood is covering where the window should be. Grocery bags and rags are sticking out of the wood. A 10 month old child travels in this car in freezing cold weather conditions. Back seat rests were also missing from this vehicle so child is very unsafe in this vehicle
20230319UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This specific car with this VIN number is missing the back window and just a piece of wood is covering where the window should be. Grocery bags and rags are sticking out of the wood. A 10 month old child travels in this car in freezing cold weather conditions. Back seat rests were also missing from this vehicle so child is very unsafe in this vehicle
20180801STRUCTURE:BODY
THE TRUCK IS ERODING AWAY THE UNDER CARRIAGE AND HAS STATED TO COME THROUGH INTERIOR EFFECTING THE BOLTS AND THE SUPPORTS HOLDING SEAT DOWN. ALSO THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. BLOWN KNOCKING ENGINE
20180801SUSPENSION
THE TRUCK IS ERODING AWAY THE UNDER CARRIAGE AND HAS STATED TO COME THROUGH INTERIOR EFFECTING THE BOLTS AND THE SUPPORTS HOLDING SEAT DOWN. ALSO THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. BLOWN KNOCKING ENGINE
20150515STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE SERVICE, THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME ON THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Mileage: 125,000
20150403SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE BEING INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE UNDERBODY AND THE BRAKE LINES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE COMPONENTS BEING FULL OF RUST AND THE RISK OF FRACTURING AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Mileage: 88,000
20150403STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE BEING INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE UNDERBODY AND THE BRAKE LINES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE COMPONENTS BEING FULL OF RUST AND THE RISK OF FRACTURING AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Mileage: 88,000
20140607STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I SENT IN A COMPLETE ALREADY I HAVE NEVER HEARD BACK I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW THE 96 AND 98 WERE RECALLED FOR FRAME PROBLEMS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM YOU FOR THE 97 I AM IN A TIGHT SPOT I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS CAR I HAVE GOOD CREDIT BUT BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE COSIGNER I CAN NOT REPLACE THIS CAR. *TR
Mileage: 144,000
20140527SUSPENSION
WENT TO GO GET INSPECTED WAS TOLD IT WOULD NOT PASS FRAME ROTTED IN 2 SPOTS ON RIGHT SIDE OF CAR ALSO NOT SURE IF THE YEAR IS RIGHT OR NOT. *TR
Mileage: 156,000
20140527STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
WENT TO GO GET INSPECTED WAS TOLD IT WOULD NOT PASS FRAME ROTTED IN 2 SPOTS ON RIGHT SIDE OF CAR ALSO NOT SURE IF THE YEAR IS RIGHT OR NOT. *TR
Mileage: 156,000
20121128STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FRAME AND STATED THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXTREME RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,418.
Mileage: 118,418
20120810STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I HAVE A 1997 ISUZU RODEO WHICH I HAVE OWNED FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS AND WANT TO SELL IT. IT IS PHYSICALLY AND MECHANICALLY IN EXCELLENT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL AMOUNT OF RUST TO THE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE. UNBEKNOWNST TO ME, ISUZU HAD A RECALL ON MANY OF THESE VEHICLES WHICH I WAS NOT AWARE OF, EVEN THOUGH I HAD BOUGHT THIS USED VEHICLE FROM AN ISUZU DEALER. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALER AND ASKING WHY I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL, HE SAID ALL VEHICLES WERE NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. UPON LOOKING UP MY VIN, HE SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED!!! I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY AS, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE, MY VEHICLE HAS ALL THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF THE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED AND I AM AFRAID IT MAY BE UNSAFE TO SELL!. I REALIZE THE RECALL ENDED IN DECEMBER AND ISUZU IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS BUT I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND GIVEN THE OPTION TO CHOOSE WHETHER OR NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RECALL OFFER.IS THERE ANY RESOLUTION TO THIS OR WILL I BE STUC
Mileage: 162,000
20120106STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Mileage: 190,000
20111123STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
MY VEHICLE IS 1997 AND IT IS SAME ISSUE WITH 10V-436 RECALL NOTICE. I AM WONDERING WHY MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS I SEE THE SAME ISSUE WITH MINE. THERE WERE 2 OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
20111123SUSPENSION
MY VEHICLE IS 1997 AND IT IS SAME ISSUE WITH 10V-436 RECALL NOTICE. I AM WONDERING WHY MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS I SEE THE SAME ISSUE WITH MINE. THERE WERE 2 OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
20111011STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Mileage: 125,000
20110816STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1997 ISUZU RODEO - INFORMED BY AUTO MECHANIC THAT VEHICLE FRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT AND VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BODY MOUNT PUSHED THROUGH RUSTED FRAME SO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE NOW RESTS ON THE FRAME NO LONGER SECURING THE VEHICLE BODY TO THE FRAME AT THAT MOUNTING LOCATION. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT A HALF INCH LOWER THAN THE DRIVER SIDE AS THE BODY MOUNT PUSHED THROUGH THE RUSTED FRAME. FRAME HAS EXTENSIVE, PREMATURE HEAVY RUST AND IS RUSTED THROUGH IN A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS. *KB
Mileage: 162,000
20110816STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
ACCELERATED CHASSIS TRAILING ARM RUST UNDERNEATH THE AUTO. *KB
Mileage: 145,000
20110608UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNDER FRAME HAS RUSTED AND CORRODED SO BADLY WE ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE.
Mileage: 123,333
Compare 1997ISUZURODEO to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 ISUZU RODEO have?▼
The 1997 ISUZU RODEO has 167 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 ISUZU RODEO?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 ISUZU RODEO is STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS with 18 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 1997 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.