Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 579 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Isuzu Rodeo, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 158 | 27% |
| Suspension | 49 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 43 | 7% |
| Structure | 42 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 32 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 28 | 5% |
| Suspension | 23 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 22 | 4% |
| Power train | 19 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 12 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated that after he started the vehicle, the horn started to sound independently. The contact stated that he had to temporarily remove the fuse for the horn from the stee
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE FRAME. IN ADDITION, THE CONTROL ARMS ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME CONDI
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I HAD JUST COME OFF THE HIGHWAY IN MY RODEO AND COME TO A SLOWDOWN ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE MAIN ROAD AND WHEN I WENT TO TAKE OFF MY TORSION BAR THAT HOLDS MY REAR AXLE IN ON THE DRIVER SIDE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF FROM
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ABS ENGAGED, AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED AND THE ABS W
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT NO
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHER
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), THE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES IN CERTAIN TYPES OF BRAKING EVENTS.
Risk: EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT COMPUTER ALGORITHM FOR THE ABS THAT IS BASED ON THE ALGORITHM USED IN ISUZU'S MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES, WHICH HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM. THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONDU
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. PAINT WAS APPLIED UNEVENLY ON THE REAR AXLES, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT PAINT HARDNESS. SHOULD THIS OCCUR ON THE SURFACE THAT CONTACTS THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK BRACKET BOLT HEAD AND/OR NUT, THE NUT MAY LOOSEN.
Risk: THE BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK JOINT NUT AND BOLT.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE INTERIOR OF YOUR VEHICLE.
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
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CRANK BUT WILL NOT START OR THE ENGINE COULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT RESTART.
Fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF THE TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TIMING BELT. DEPENDING ON THE CONDITION OR MODEL OF THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER
| Reliability raw | 72 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 52 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 579 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 158 of them (27%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 72/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.