Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Isuzu Rodeo, and it carries 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 3 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 8% |
| Power train | 3 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My car continues to smell like gas despite fuel pump and lines having been replaced. The smell is very strong. Don’t see any type of leakage
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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 sho
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ISUZI RODEO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V547000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED GREAT DIFFICULTY HAVING HIS VEHICLE SERVICED. THE CO
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
MY VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN MINNESOTA WHERE ROAD SALTS ARE IN CONSTANT WINTER USE. ON AUGUST 21, 2019 MY MECHANIC HOISTED MY SUV AND WE WATCHED WITH SURPRISE AS SOME FLAT RUST SLABS FELL TO HIS SHOP FLOOR. HE LOOKED AB
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
2004 ISUZU RODEO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTED METAL BRACKET STRAPS, BOLTS AND HORIZONTAL JACKET. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO RUST THE FUEL TANK DROPPED BELOW THE CAR FRAME AT AN UNSAFE ANGLE, VERY CLOSE TO
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
BRAKES PEDAL PULSES LIKE CRAZY BUT THE BRAKES DON'T WORK WHEN APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE REDUCED POWER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STAT
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
REAR OF THE FRAME IS ROTTED AND CRUMBLING, SO THERE ARE HOLES IN THE FRAME THAT ARE KEEPING IT FROM BEING SAFE, AND THUS WILL NOT PASS STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE AREAS AFFECTED SUPPORT SUCH THINGS AS THE PANHARD/TRACK
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 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.
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, P
Risk: The corrosion may allow the bracket to detach from the frame, impacting vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Isuzu will notify owners, and 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
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 LAUN
Risk: A FUEL LEAK COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE STATES IDENTIFIED ABOVE, DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A NEW COVER OVER THE EXISTING FEED PORT ON THE FUEL PUMP OR, IF THE EXISTING FEED PORT HAS ALREADY BEEN DAMAGED, DEALERS WI
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 74 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 60 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 3 of them (8%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) 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 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. 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.