2002 Isuzu Rodeo suspension problems

What is wrong

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, connecticut, new york, new jersey, pennsylvania, delaware, maryland, the district of columbia, west virginia, ohio, indiana, michigan, illinois, wisconsin, minnesota, iowa, missouri, and kentucky. 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 normally be expected.

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.

Remedy

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 which corrosion has damaged the rear suspension lower link bracket and affected its connection to the vehicle frame, a reinforcement bracket will be installed. In the rare event the corrosion is so severe that the reinforcement bracket remedy would not be appropriate, a repurchase offer will be extended to the vehicle's owner. All inspections and remedies will be provided free of charge for vehicles that are 10 years old or less. For vehicles older than 10 years, isuzu will offer a free remedy, but only if the vehicle is presented to an isuzu service facility, or honda dealer (as applicable), dealer within 12 months of when owner notifications were issued. The safety recall began on december 10, 2010. Isuzu owners may contact isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727. Honda owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.

Recall number 10V436000 · Recall details

On September 22, 2010, Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) submitted a Defect Information Report (the federal safety agency Recall 10V‑436) to the federal safety agency affecting approximately 120,000 model year (MY) 1998-2002 Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport vehicles and MY 2002 Isuzu Axiom vehicles originally sold, or currently operated, in the following states:Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. All vehicle owners will receive the recall notification.Vehicles 10 years of age or younger will be provided with a free remedy.For vehicles older than 10 years, Isuzu will offer a free remedy provided the vehicle is presented to an Isuzu service facility or a Honda dealer (as applicable) no later than twelve (12) months after the date of mailing of the notification letter to the owner.The report describes a condition where vehicles operated in states using certain road deicing materials may exhibit excessive corrosion which may result in the left or right rear suspension lower link bracket becoming detached from the frame.According to Isuzu a detached lower link may affect vehicle handling and potentially cause a crash.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data and found that 114 of the 115 (99%) alleged complete lower link separations from the frame occurred in vehicles originally sold or operated in a state covered by the recall. Of these complaints 2 involved alleged crashes and 21 involved alleged loss of control incidents.The alleged crashes and loss of control incidents all occurred in vehicles operated in a state covered by the safety recall.Isuzu's recall instructs dealers to inspect the rear suspension lower link bracket area to determine if corrosion is present.For vehicles in which corrosion has damaged the lower link bracket area and affected its connection to the vehicle frame, a reinforcement bracket will be installed.For vehicles with no visible signs of corrosion, dealers with apply anti-corrosion material to reduce the likelihood of corrosion developing in the future. Based on Isuzu's safety recall, this Engineering Analysis is closed.A copy of the recall may be assessed on the federal safety agency's website using the reference number above.

EA09018

During preliminary evaluation pe09-030, isuzu motors america, inc (isuzu) noted two primary differences once the rear suspension lower link separation occurs between the alleged defect (separation of the lower link from the frame) of this investigation and a safety defect involving lower link separation from the rear axle addressed by isuzu in safety recall 00v‑058.in the case of the defect condition identified in recall 00v‑058, isuzu stated that the attachment bolt could detach fully, causing separation of the lower link from the rear axle possibly creating a loss of vehicle control. Isuzu also stated that this condition occurs early in the service life of the vehicle.in this investigation isuzu noted lower link separation from the frame is a progressive corrosion issue with prior warning to consumers.isuzu also stated that in the event of a lower link separation from the frame, the vehicle is still controllable and can be safely stopped. The office of defect investigation (odi) analyzed complaint data provided by isuzu and america honda motor company, inc (honda), as well as vehicle owner questionnaires submitted to odi from consumers.in total, there were 60 unique reports of lower link separations from the frame including 1 alleged crash and 7 loss of vehicle control incidents that may be related to the alleged defect.most of these complaints indicated that there was no warning prior to the link separation.this preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea09-018) to further assess the scope, frequency and risk to motor vehicle safety of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles.

PE09030