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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2000 Isuzu RodeoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 286 owner complaints for the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo. Most complaints involve structure (85) and suspension (69). The EPA rates it 16–19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–19mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Sep 2010
Owner complaints
286
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

ISUZU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2002 ISUZU RODEO AND MODEL YEAR 2002 ISUZU AXIOM VEHICLES, AND HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1998-2002 HONDA PASSPORT 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. VEHICLES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SUSTAINED EXPOSURE TO HIGHLY CORROSIVE MATERIALS USED IN SOME JURISDICTIONS FOR ROAD DEICING PURPOSES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE VICINITY OF THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT BRACKET FOR THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK PRIOR TO THE TIME THAT SUCH CORROSION WOULD NORMALLY BE EXPECTED.

SuspensionReported Sep 22, 2010NHTSA 10V436000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WERE MANUFACTURED AND SHIPPED WITHOUT A NECESSARY COMPONENT KNOWN AS A CHECK VALVE PIN.

Air bagsReported Aug 9, 2002NHTSA 02V213000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1998-2000 RODEO (UE) AND AMIGO (UA) MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L 4-CYLINDER ENGINES. THE TIMING BELT COULD BREAK BEFORE THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE.

Engine and engine coolingReported May 29, 2001NHTSA 01I002000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

286 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2000 – Feb 2021
  1. Structure85
  2. Suspension69
  3. Engine and engine cooling39
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic36
  5. Power train19
  6. Fuel system, other19
  7. Fuel system, gasoline16
  8. Electrical system15
  9. Vehicle speed control14

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199697
1997118
1998486
1999564
2000286
2001441
2002101
200316
200439
Crashes reported
23
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
19
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

Structure

85 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT BODY FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 7, 2017StructureODI 10959044

Suspension

69 reports3 crashes1 fire
“EXCESSIVE CORROSION MAY RESULT IN THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 26, 2021SuspensionODI 11398023

Engine and engine cooling

39 reports1 crash4 fires
“AT TIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE MOTOR REVS AND LURCHES HARD TO KEEP STOPPED AND YOU AT TIMES WIND UP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM MY SISTER BECAUSE SHE WAS TO SCARED TO DRIVE IT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ISUZU DEALER TWICE BUT STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. *KB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2011Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 10420010
All 2000 Rodeo 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 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182119$3,400468
Rodeo 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151916$4,000555
Rodeo 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151816$4,000555
Rodeo 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$4,000555
Rodeo 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151816$4,000555
  • Rodeo 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    18 city · 21 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 18 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 2000 Isuzu Rodeo as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4054
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

2000 Rodeo questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo have?

4 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 2000 Isuzu Rodeo problems?

Owners filed 286 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (85), suspension (69), engine and engine cooling (39). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo at 16–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026