The most-reported Rodeo run is 4S2DM58W514 (2001 builds) with 30 complaints, 8.8× the typical run. Structure problems make up 24% of reports; 1999 is the worst model year at 7.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for Rodeo model years 1991–2004.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Isuzu Rodeo has 463 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 9% of every Rodeo complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4S2DM58W514•••••• | 2001 | 2 | — | |
| 4S2DM58W214•••••• | 2001 | 1 | — | |
| 4S2CK58WXX4•••••• | 1999 | 9 | — | |
| 4S2DM58W714•••••• | 2001 | 1 | 1 | |
| 4S2DM58W414•••••• | 2001 | 1 | 1 | |
| 4S2CM58W2X4•••••• | 1999 | 4 | 1 | |
| 4S2CM58W6X4•••••• | 1999 | 2 | — | |
| 4S2CM58W1X4•••••• | 1999 | — | 2 | |
| 4S2DM58W014•••••• | 2001 | 1 | — | |
| 4S2DM58W614•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 4S2CM58W8X4•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — | |
| 4S2CM58W4X4•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 451 Rodeo runs has 21 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Isuzu Rodeo the gap between build years is 6.9×: a 1999 car draws 7.6 complaints per run, a 2003 one 1.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 32 | 23 | 3 | |
| 2003 | 9 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 79 | 40 | 7 | |
| 2001 | 352 | 56 | 14 | |
| 2000 | 217 | 40 | 17 | |
| 1999 | 425 | 56 | 56 | |
| 1997 | 90 | 36 | 11 | |
| 1996 | 63 | 36 | 10 | |
| 1995 | 133 | 76 | 20 | |
| 1994 | 72 | 32 | 4 | |
| 1993 | 23 | 16 | 1 | |
| 1992 | 54 | 33 | 3 | |
| 1991 | 28 | 24 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 1999 at 7.6 complaints per run; lightest is 2003 at 1.1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 24% of everything Isuzu Rodeo owners report: Structure, 414 of 1,577 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 10 | 1 | |
| Suspension | 8 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 55 | 4 | |
| Hydraulic | 48 | 3 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 11 | |
| Power Train | 7 | 10 | |
| Fuel System | 3 | 4 | |
| Electrical System | 4 | 19 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 17 recall campaigns on the Isuzu Rodeo; the 6 below cover build years 1991 to 2004. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 06E065000 | Exterior Lighting | 1991–1997 |
| 10V436000 | Suspension:rear | 1999–2002 |
| 05V466000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2002–2004 |
| 13V547000 | Suspension:rear | 2003–2004 |
| 01V055000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2000–2001 |
| 02V213000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2000–2001 |
The Rodeo against its rivals
The Rodeo draws 3.4 complaints per production run; the Mitsubishi Montero Sport 1.4 and the Infiniti QX4 2.1. That is the highest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isuzu Rodeo | 1,577 | 463 | 9.4% | |
| Mitsubishi Montero Sport | 264 | 190 | 15.9% | |
| Infiniti QX4 | 223 | 104 | 12.6% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,577 reports on the Isuzu Rodeo, 9.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Isuzu Rodeo | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,577 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 149 (9.4%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 45 (2.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 134 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 8 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 62% above the all-vehicle rate.
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
- Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Isuzu Rodeo share of that is 1,577 complaints over 463 runs, 0.14% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Isuzu Rodeo VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,577 NHTSA complaints from 463 Rodeo runs and 17 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Rodeo production run has the most complaints?
4S2DM58W514, a 2001 build, with 30 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical Rodeo run has 3.4.
Which Rodeo years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1999 is heaviest at 7.6 complaints per run and 2003 lightest at 1.1.
Does the Rodeo get more complaints than the Mitsubishi Montero Sport?
Yes: 3.4 complaints per production run for the Rodeo against 1.4 for the Mitsubishi Montero Sport.
How many Rodeo complaints involve a crash?
9.4% of 1,577 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 45 involved a fire.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.