Is the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo a bad year?
389 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Rodeo years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo are in line with other Rodeo years. Body structure and suspension stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 Rodeo owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 114,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 214 (55%) | 90k–136k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 115 (30%) | 92k–141k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Electrical system | 20 (5%) | 64k–114k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 27 (7%) | 58k–104k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine | 24 (6%) | 43k–85k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 23 (6%) | 26k–86k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 19 (5%) | 45k–86k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 11 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 114,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 389 complaints: 18 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 10 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Oct 2020.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo: 4
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… 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.
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. 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.
Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles were built with the inflators in the passenger side air bag modules having the wrong amount of generant. 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 cause severe injury to vehicle occupants.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. During the manufacture of certain fuel return hoses, incorrect rubber material for the outer layer was used. The fuel return hose does not meet ozone-resistant specifications, and could ultimately crack, causing fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Isuzu: 29
Repair instructions Isuzu sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters
Need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures
Will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
Malfunction indicator lamp on or engine misfire, rough idle, extended crank, or crank no start in some cases
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Fuel Tank Retention Failure
Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment
Rear suspension lower link failure
Neighbouring years
2000 Rodeo: 274 complaints, keep it · 2002 Rodeo: 101 complaints, keep it.
Every Isuzu Rodeo year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2008 · All Rodeo years side by side
Other Isuzu models: Isuzu Ascender · Isuzu Axiom. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo a bad year?
389 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Rodeo years. At 114,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (214), suspension (115), electrical system (20), fuel system (27), engine (24).
How many recalls does the 2001 Isuzu Rodeo have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 10V-436), Air bags (NHTSA 02V-213), Air bags (NHTSA 01V-055), Fuel system (NHTSA 00V-298). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.