10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,150 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #20

Jul 222007

Rodeo 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving 3 mph, the engine raced to approximately 2,500-4,000 rpms. The contact stated that the vehicle sped out of control and flipped upside down. He sustained cuts and lacerations, difficulty breathing and was hospitalized for several days. The contacts wife received six stitches. He has not been able to speak with the manufacturer or an authorized dealer. The vehicle is unable to be driven. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 58,000. Updated 08/27/07

- Los Alamedos, CA, USA

problem #19

Jan 032003

Rodeo 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 45,000 miles
On numerous occasions, especially during the winter, the engine of my 5-speed 1998 Isuzu Rodeo has suddenly revved up to rpms of between 2500 and 4000 in neutral (between shifts and at stop signs and stoplights). It happens randomly; the dealer has not been able to duplicate the problem and claims to have no knowledge of this problem, although I provided them with copies of numerous similar complaints from the NHTSA website. Moreover, on three occasions when taking my foot off the accelerator pedal (twice on exit ramps and once when approaching a stop sign), the engine has died while the vehicle was moving at speeds of around 35 mph.

- Excelsior, MN, USA

problem #18

Jun 012002

Rodeo

  • miles
ABS system is engaging after vehicle has stopped which causes vehicle to lurch forward. Over $1500 total brake repair so far on this vehicle and it still won't stop properly.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #17

Jul 012001

Rodeo

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Intermittently when applying brakes vehicle will accelerate forward and engine revs. Dealer has inspected vehicle three times, and could not duplicate or correct the problem.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #16

Jul 072000

Rodeo 4WD

  • miles
Brakes failed attempting to stop at sign while traveling over bumps in road/pedal went to floor/vehicle seemed to accelerate when brakes went to floor rather than slow down.

- Columbia, MO, USA

problem #15

Sep 282000

(reported on)

Rodeo

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, if consumer takes foot of the accelerator it feels like the brake is on and vehicle almost comes to a complete stop.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #14

May 132000

Rodeo

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While applying brakes brake pedal went to the floor. Had no brakes. Vehicle lunged forward suddenly & hit another vehicle. Took vehicle to dealer & was informed that ABS system was the cause, and dealer could not repair the problem. The consumer claims defective ABS was the cause of the accident that occured.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #13

Jun 122000

Rodeo

  • miles
Vehicle idles high, and then takes off without prior warning.

- Mt Vernon, OH, USA

problem #12

Apr 192000

Rodeo

  • miles
While driving down a slight hill vehicle will accelerate. The only way vehicle will stop is when driver presses pedal all the way to the floor.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #11

Apr 192000

Rodeo

  • miles
Vehicle goes down the hill and can't stop, it accelerates. In order to stop vehicle, consumer has to cut car off or be on flat service.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #10

Feb 201999

Rodeo

  • miles
When coming to a stop, instead of the car braking, the engine revved and continued to move forward. This has happened 5 times, the last time I actually hit another car. I have taken it in for service, they never can duplicate the problem and say nothing is wrong. I am aware of the investigation going on into this problem with this make and model of car. Please feel free to contact me for additional information.

- Hanover Park, IL, USA

problem #9

Jan 101999

Rodeo 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle accelerates to full throttle w/ no warning. Multiple occurrences in both forward and reverse. Manufacturer refuses to correct problem.

- Endicott, NY, USA

problem #8

Sep 011999

Rodeo

  • miles
While pulling out of a parking lot vehicle accelerated when taking off on a hill. Consumer applied the brakes, they went straight to the floorboard, causing the consumer to rear end another vehicle.

- Churchville, PA, USA

problem #7

Mar 091999

Rodeo 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Pulled up to stop light and vehicle raced at high speed. Vehicle took off with foot on brakes. Needed to shift quickly into neutral to stop. Acceleration would kick it into another position. This has happened at 4 different times. Took vehicle to dealer, they could not detect a problem.

- Omro, WI, USA

problem #6

Mar 191999

Rodeo 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experiences intermittent sudden acceleration, one incident resulting in collision.

- Crivitz, WI, USA

problem #5

Mar 221999

(reported on)

Rodeo

  • miles
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration on several occasions, one incident resulting in vehicle collision.

- Omro, WI, USA

problem #4

Sep 021998

Rodeo

  • miles
While driving the vehicle and going into gears the vehicle surged forward and backwards which may cause a accident. Dealer cannot determine the problem. Cause unknown.

- Elk Garden, WV, USA

problem #3

Oct 281998

Rodeo 4WD

  • miles
Clutch switch intermittantly fails to disengage cruise control.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #2

Nov 081998

Rodeo

  • miles
Intermittently while driving inner city rush hour and applying the braking system, the vehicle will acclerate and lunge forward, almost causing an accident. Cause unknown. Dealer cannot determine problem.

- Oceanside, NY, USA

problem #1

Aug 071998

Rodeo 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Vehicle idles from 2700 to 3200 rmps while sitting, causing vehicle to suddenly accelerate when clutch is released.

- Elk Garden, WV, USA