NHTSA — Structure: Frame And Members Problems

1.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
128,117 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Isuzu Rodeo body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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1997 Isuzu Rodeo Owner Comments

problem #18

Nov 292011

Rodeo

  • 118,418 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated the frame was rusted and corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the frame and stated they were not able to repair the vehicle due to the extreme rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 118,418.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #17

May 022011

Rodeo 6-cyl

  • 145,000 miles
Accelerated chassis trailing arm rust underneath the auto.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #16

Jul 102011

Rodeo 4WD 6-cyl

  • 162,000 miles
1997 Isuzu Rodeo - informed by auto mechanic that vehicle frame is extremely rusted out and vehicle is no longer safe to operate. Passenger side front body mount pushed through rusted frame so the passenger side of vehicle now rests on the frame no longer securing the vehicle body to the frame at that mounting location. The passenger side of the vehicle is about a half inch lower than the driver side as the body mount pushed through the rusted frame. Frame has extensive, premature heavy rust and is rusted through in a number of locations.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #15

Jan 112010

Rodeo

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Frame rusting away from underneath our 1997 Isuzu Rodeo. Filed a complaint over a year ago with NHTSA including pictures, pieces of the metal from the frame and documents to be included for the recall on Rodeo's and passports. (my ODI #10299607) as you will see the informationwas taken down incorrectly an states a fuel pump problem. That is how we found out the frame was bad is when we took it in for repair. There are many Isuzu and passport owners who have this problem and they are unsafe to drive because the frames are rotting out and cause components to let go from the frame which could cause and accident. There has been a recall to try to fix the lower brackets but most are not fixable because the frames are so gone. We were not included in this recall because Isuzu at their discretion only choose a five year period from 1998-2002. We should be included as well as others because they are just trying to limit their exposure and keep cost down while in the meantime someone could get hurt. The recall should go back to the manufacturer of the frames which someone on the blog found out it has been determine to be the dana Corp. Who also made the bad frame on Toyota ticumsa. The recall need to be from manufacture date of the frames made for all Isuzu and passports. This recall is not being handle correctly and someone is going to be in a serious accident.

- Cleves, OH, USA

problem #14

Jan 232011

Rodeo

  • 169,700 miles
Bad frame rot on my 1997 Isuzu Rodeo was changing out my U-joints and inspecting the vehicle when I notices several spots where the frame was rusted through. I began cleaning the frame and some spots disintegrated when I hit them with a wire wheel. Welded any cracks I found filled in smaller holes and welded plates and supports into the bad spots. At first I thought this was a one off incident but after a quick search online it seems fairly common.

- Chugiak, AK, USA

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problem #13

Dec 162010

Rodeo

  • 136,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to a local repair facility to have the exhaust pipe replaced when the contact was advised by the mechanic that the frame and sub frame were excessively corroded. The mechanic advised the contact not to drive the vehicle because the sub frame could fail at any time. The manufacturer was also contacted but would not assist with the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 136,000.

- Weymouth, MA, USA

problem #12

Apr 132010

Rodeo

  • 94,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo. The contact stated while changing the oil, he noticed excessive frame rust underneath the vehicle. The contact called two local welders and they stated that they could not repair the frame. The local welders stated that the contact's year, make and model vehicle was under recall. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the unknown recall and was informed that there were no recalls on his year, make and model. The contact stated the recall should be extended to later models because this of the known safety issue. The failure mileage was 94,000.

- Enon, OH, USA

problem #11

Aug 102010

Rodeo

  • 125,000 miles
1997 Rodeo took it in to get an oil change and was informed that the frame is rusted thru and holes exist in a number of areas.

- Westfield, MA, USA

problem #10

Jun 012007

Rodeo

  • miles
The contact owns a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo. The vehicle was being inspected at an independent repair facility when the contact was informed that the frame was cracked and corroded. The frame was welded by an independent mechanic at the contact's expense. The contact stated she was informed every year while having the state inspection performed that the frame was severely rusted. The contact would take the vehicle to her independent mechanic each year to have the frame re-welded. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 86,000.

- Clairton, PA, USA

problem #9

Jul 032010

Rodeo

  • 190,000 miles
The frame of my 1997 Isuzu Rodeo has rusted so badly that it has broken in half. I can pull chunks out of the frame with my bare hands. Needless to say, I can no longer drive it.

- Chantilly, VA, USA

problem #8

May 172010

Rodeo 4WD 6-cyl

  • 126,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo; I am the original owner of this vehicle. The frame of my Rodeo is rusting away. I saw a report on the news last night regarding Rodeos and passports and the safety issues involved with these rusting frames. The news reported a NHTSA study on this issue. The report suggested that a complaint be filed with NHTSA.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #7

Mar 152010

Rodeo 6-cyl

  • 139,481 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving at 25 mph, the contact noticed a thumping sound under the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle would not pass inspection as the entire frame had rusted underneath. The vehicle had not been inspected at the time of the complaint. The vehicle had been parked and the contact refused to drive it. The current and failure mileages were 139,481. Updated 07/14/2010. Received pictures of frame. Updated 09/13/10

- Nashua, NH, USA

problem #6

Jan 182010

Rodeo

  • 150,000 miles
1997 Isuzu Rodeo frame is rusting. There are several places where it has rusted completely through. It has not failed yet, but looks like it is flexing badly in these spots.

- Webster Groves, MO, USA

problem #5

Jan 112010

Rodeo 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance when the technician detected that the main frame exhibited severe rust corrosion. The technician recommended that the vehicle not be driven due to a safety hazard. There were concerns of the safety risks involved. The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction at this time. The failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 2/1/10 the consumer also stated the fuel pump had to replaced. Updated 02/02/10.

- Cleves, OH, USA

problem #4

Jul 192009

Rodeo

  • 150,000 miles
Regular frame repair to 1997 Rodeo. July is my inspection month and for the last three years it has become frame repair time, it never ends. Is anything being done about a recall on Rodeo & passport frames?

- Intervale, NH, USA

problem #3

May 312008

Rodeo

  • 84,000 miles
Failed inspection due to a rusted out frame.

- Port Carbon , PA, USA

problem #2

Feb 112008

Rodeo 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 157,000 miles
I have a '97 Isuzu Rodeo. I have kept it in good shape. The frame of the car has corroded to the point where the frame has broken. I am so glad this was discovered by my technician. If this had fully come apart on the road it could have caused a serious accident. I am sure ours is not the only Rodeo to have this problem. These things are timebombs on the road! something should be done to compensate owners of these cars. The frame of the car should not just come apart! this will kill people on the roads.

- Redford, MI, USA

problem #1

Sep 152006

Rodeo 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles
: the contact stated at 18,000 miles, all rotors and brake pads needed to be replaced. When the vehicle was serviced for an oil change at a local service station; the contact was informed the frame was rusted out and unsafe to drive. An independent body specialist inspected the vehicle and determined the frame was beyond repair. The contact wrote to the manufacturer, but a response had not been received. The service dealer was not alerted. Updated 12/01/06.

- Severna Park, MD, USA

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