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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2002 Isuzu Rodeo SportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 24 owner complaints for the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport. Most complaints involve suspension (9) and structure (6). The EPA rates it 16–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–18mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2012
Owner complaints
24
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

ISUZU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2000 AMIGO AND MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 RODEO SPORT VEHICLES, THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED, IN THE STATES OF MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, AND KENTUCKY. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE VICINITY OF THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT BRACKET FOR THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK.

SuspensionReported Jun 29, 2012NHTSA 12V306000

Fuel system

Free remedy

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO FUEL CONTAMINATED WITH SILICON MAY DEVELOP SMALL PIN HOLES IN THE FUEL PUMP FEED PORT. SILICON HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE FUEL SYSTEMS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES AND IN CERTAIN FUEL AVAILABLE IN THE REGION OF TYLER, TEXAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN TEXAS AND THE FOUR SURROUNDING STATES: OKLAHOMA, ARKANSAS, NEW MEXICO AND LOUISIANA.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Oct 7, 2005NHTSA 05V466000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

24 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2003 – Jan 2018
  1. Suspension9
  2. Structure6
  3. Engine and engine cooling4
  4. Equipment3
  5. Electrical system2
  6. Visibility2
  7. Vehicle speed control1
  8. Fuel system, gasoline1
  9. Power train1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Rodeo Sport model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200224
20031
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

9 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. UPON RECEIVING AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLES NEAR THE TRAILING ARMS, CLOSE TO THE FRAME AND IN THE REAR NEAR THE STABILIZER BAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED OR EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V436000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 29, 2018Suspension, StructureODI 11065600

Structure

6 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE WELL RUSTED AND CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO DETACH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2015StructureODI 10763184

Engine and engine cooling

4 reports
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU RODEO SPORTS. WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO GARAGE FOR A DIAGNOSIS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE AUTO GARAGE INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,306 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000. UPDATED 6/2/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2008Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 10224625
All 2002 Rodeo Sport problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 3.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Rodeo Sport 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172118$3,550494
Rodeo Sport 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151917$3,800523
Rodeo Sport 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Rodeo Sport 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151917$3,800523
Rodeo Sport 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151916$4,000555
  • Rodeo Sport 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    17 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo Sport 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo Sport 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo Sport 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo Sport 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4638
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Rodeo Sport questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport problems?

Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (9), structure (6), engine and engine cooling (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport at 16–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026