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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2003 Isuzu Rodeo SportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint for the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport. Most complaints involve structure (1). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–19mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Oct 2013
Owner complaints
1
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Rodeo and Axiom, and 2003 Rodeo Sport vehicles that were originally sold in, or are currently registered in, 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, Kentucky and Missouri. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion near the forward mounting point bracket for the left or right rear suspension lower link.

SuspensionReported Oct 31, 2013NHTSA 13V547000

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

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2010 – Aug 2010
  1. Structure1

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

1 report
“OWN A 2003 ISUZU RODEO. CAR LOOKS IN GREAT SHAPE ON THE OUTSIDE BUT THE OTHER DAY, THE STABILIZER CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. BARELY AVOIDED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. MECHANIC SAID HE NEVER SAW ANYTHING THAT BAD BEFORE, SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME. CAN'T BE FIXED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A LARGE SCALE PROBLEM AND UNFORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T FIND OUT UNTIL AFTER IT HAPPENED, WHEN I WAS CURIOUS IF IT WAS A VEHICLE PROBLEM. THE CAR ALMOST FLIPPED WHEN THE PART CAME OFF BUT CAME TO STOP IN A DITCH. COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. OTHERS MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2010StructureODI 10351050
Send 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

4 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
182219$3,400468
Rodeo Sport 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Rodeo Sport 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
Rodeo Sport 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
  • Rodeo Sport 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    18 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo Sport 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo Sport 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo Sport 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    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 2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4903
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

2003 Rodeo Sport questions

How many recalls does the 2003 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 2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026