1999 Isuzu Rodeo problems & reliability
550 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Isuzu Rodeo, alongside 3 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
25 complaints report injuries (34 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 193 | 35% |
| Suspension | 85 | 15% |
| Structure | 72 | 13% |
| Fuel System, Other | 56 | 10% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 50 | 9% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 40 | 7% |
| Power Train | 37 | 7% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 35 | 6% |
| Electrical System | 27 | 5% |
| Service Brakes, Air | 17 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 79,000 miles (middle 50% between 52,500 and 131,000 miles), based on 247 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that after he started the vehicle, the horn started to sound independently. The contact stated that he had to temporarily remove the fuse for the horn from the steering wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic…”
Air Bags · filed May 8, 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 isuzu rodeo. The contact stated that there was extensive rust and corrosion on the undercarriage of the frame. In addition, the control arms on the rear of the vehicle exhibited the same condition. The dealer (mancari's chrysler, dodge, jeep, ram, 708-423-0910, located at 4630 w 95th…”
Structure · filed Oct 4, 2018
“I had just come off the highway in my rodeo and come to a slowdown on the entrance ramp to the main road and when I went to take off my torsion bar that holds my rear axle in on the driver side completely broke off from rust and there are several big holes of rust on the frame of this vehicle I have noticed by…”
Suspension · filed Aug 6, 2018
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment
Engineering Analysis EA09018 · opened Dec 7, 2009 · closed Oct 15, 2010 · led to recall 10V436000
- REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE09030 · opened Jun 16, 2009 · closed Dec 8, 2009 · led to recall 10V436000
- BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS
Engineering Analysis EA99008 · opened Mar 31, 1999 · closed Jul 31, 2002 · led to recall 02I002001
Technical service bulletins
52 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. The 10 most recent:
This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The Exchange Program must be used when any Alpine radio or other component covered by this bulletin is repaired under…
IB13-R-001G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 8, 2023
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these…
WB13-X-001B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 30, 2022
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these…
WB13-X-001A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 2, 2022
The Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) Service Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides diagnostic support to Isuzu dealer technicians repairing Isuzu vehicles in and out of vehicle warranty. A TAC case number…
IB09-X-004C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 20, 2022
The following is a list of the Isuzu-recommended Threebond product part numbers identified in the various Isuzu Workshop Manuals and bulletins. If a Threebond product is unavailable, we recommend that you utilize the…
IB09-X-002B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 20, 2022
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with the axel setup information from American Axle Manufacturing. Technician should be advised that the maximum pinion shim to be used or…
PIP3720D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 26, 2012
REAR BRAKE ROTORS. *KB
0709002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2007
Shift lock solenoid removal and replacement procedures. *tt 2002-2004 isuzu axiom (up), 198-2004 rodeo (ue) and 1998-2004 rodeo sport. Update *sc
0505004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2005
Abs (anti-locking brake) system, coil integrated module replacement phase 3 announcement. *tt
0309S001C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 3, 2003
Abs (anti-locking brake) system, coil integrated module replacement safety improvement campaign 02i-002 phase 3 of a 4 phase release. *tt
0309S001C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 2, 2003
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1999 Isuzu Rodeo has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1999 Isuzu Rodeo?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 79,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.