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 290 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 60 | 21% |
| Suspension | 35 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 27 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 25 | 9% |
| Suspension | 22 | 8% |
| Power train | 16 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 13 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 10 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
SEVERE RUST ON REAR FRAME WHERE STABILIZER BAR ATTACHES MAKING STEERING ERRATIC AND UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT BECAME DISTRACTED AND CROSSED THE YELLOW LANE LINES. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID AN ONCOMING VEHICLE, THE CONTACT JERKED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE AND
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 W
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I BOUGHT MY 2000 RODEO NEW AND IT CURRENTLY HAS 37000 ACTUAL MILES. I RECENTLY SAW RUST IN THE DRIVEWAY. I TOOK THIS CAR TO A HONDA BODY SHOP TO SEE THE UNDERBODY. BEFORE PUTTING IT ON THE LIFT THEY SAW THAT THE FRAME WA
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2000 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE INFLATORS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULES HAVING THE WRONG AMOUNT OF GENERANT.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT WOULD TRIGGER A PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, TOO MUCH GENERANT CAN CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE. IF THE AIR BAG MODULE EXPLODES, METAL AND PLASTIC DEBRIS COULD
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG UNIT.
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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT INFLATE PROPERLY OR SUFFICIENTLY RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON
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
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,
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AREA. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH LITTLE OR NO CORROSION IS FOUND, THE AREA WILL BE TREATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE COMPOUND. FOR VEHICLES IN WHI
| Reliability raw | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 52 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 290 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 60 of them (21%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 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 68/100. 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.