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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2004 Isuzu RodeoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 39 owner complaints for the 2004 Isuzu Rodeo. Most complaints involve suspension (8) and electrical system (5). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–18mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Oct 2013
Owner complaints
39
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 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

39 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2004 – Jan 2024
  1. Suspension8
  2. Electrical system5
  3. Engine and engine cooling5
  4. Equipment5
  5. Fuel system, gasoline4
  6. Vehicle speed control4
  7. Power train4
  8. Service brakes3
  9. Engine3

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
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
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

8 reports
“In Florida, I purchased my 2004 Isuzu Rodeo March 2005 at 134 miles. I've always had issues, but didn't know how to articulate the issues. My truck sits/leans to the right and low in the back. It is uneven as if the shocks or struts are off. Driving one night, the truck slams down/drops low out of no where while driving. When I am driving and need to brake, I have to brake then brake again. I dare not make any sharp turns by parking or anything it's like the truck will slip or axels bend. I am have trouble with the engine currently(September 2022). Oil is leaking but you can't see from where. The engine is making loud rambling sounds. The exhaust sounds muffled. My car parts are not exact because my Rodeo is built like a demo, seemingly. Power Reduced & check engine light happens randomly usually while on the expressway. It slows the vehicle down in the middle of flowing traffic. I have to try to pull over turn car off then back on to try & reset the vehicle. The car now vibrates but don't know from where or cause. How can I get my car repaired?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2023Suspension, Service brakes, EngineODI 11524166

Electrical system

5 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT BOTH OF THE REAR BRAKES, CALIPERS, AND BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A NON-CERTIFIED MECHANIC PERFORMED A TEMPORARY REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE TO STOP THE BRAKE FLUID LEAK. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2014Electrical system, Service brakesODI 10597006

Engine and engine cooling

5 reports
“VEHICLE TURN ON LIGHT: CHECK ENGINE AND POWER REDUCED. THIS BAD FUNCTION IN THE VEHICLE MAKE PROBLEM WHEN INCREMENT SPEED, SHOWING LOST POWER. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT STEADY AND SOME TIME IT RESET AND START FUNCTION NORMALLY, BUT TIME AFTER FAIL COME AGAIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2011Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherODI 10378969
All 2004 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

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-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
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Rodeo 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Rodeo 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162017$3,800523
Rodeo 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
Rodeo 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Rodeo 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162017$3,800523
  • Rodeo 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    16 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Rodeo 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    16 city · 20 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 2004 Isuzu Rodeo as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1170
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

2004 Rodeo questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Isuzu Rodeo 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 2004 Isuzu Rodeo problems?

Owners filed 39 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (8), electrical system (5), engine and engine cooling (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Isuzu Rodeo get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Isuzu Rodeo at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026