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2003 Isuzu Rodeo problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo is body and structure. It has fewer complaints than a typical Rodeo model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
86/100
Owner complaints
16
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
50
Worst area
Body
Fuel economy
17-19mpg

The worst 2003 Isuzu Rodeo problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Body
    4
  • Engine
    4
  • Brakes
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Suspension
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Body
    4
  • Engine
    4
  • Brakes
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 3

Suspension: rearReported October 31, 2013 · 8,816 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion near the forward mounting point bracket for the left or right rear suspension lower link.
Risk
The corrosion may allow the bracket to detach from the frame, impacting vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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 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 event the corrosion is so severe that the reinforcement bracket remedy would not be sufficient, Isuzu will offer to repurchase the vehicle for an amount based on the Kelley Blue Book "Private Party" price. 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 dealer within 12 months of when owner notifications were issued, after that time owners will be charged for the repairs. The recall is expected to begin in mid-December 2013. Isuzu owners may contact Isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727.

Recall number 13V547000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported October 7, 2005 · 15,515 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 launched for vehicles registered in texas and the four surrounding states: oklahoma, arkansas, new mexico and louisiana.
Risk
A fuel leak could lead to a vehicle fire.
Remedy
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 will install a new fuel pump that is equipped with the new cover. The new cover will be made of a different material. The recall began on november 25, 2005. Owners may contact isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727.

Recall number 05V466000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lampReported October 10, 2003 · 55 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 101, "controls and displays." the brake warning lamp would not illuminate in the event of decreased brake fluid volume.
Remedy
The diodes have been replaced. All vehicles have been repaired.

Recall number 03V390000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo

Defect investigations

Fuel Tank Retention FailureOpened May 23, 2018, closed March 5, 2020

On April 10, 2018, the federal safety agency received a petition from Mr. Kevin Byrne (the Petitioner) requesting that the Agency ?undertake a defects investigation? of ?rust-related detachment of Isuzu Rodeo fuel tanks? (the federal safety agency ID 11091788). The Petitioner experienced a partial fuel tank detachment in his model year (MY) 2004 Isuzu Rodeo in July 2017. On May 23, 2018, ODI opened DP18-001 to evaluate the Petitioner?s request for a defect investigation. ODI sent information request letters to Isuzu and Honda requesting production, design history and field data related to fuel tank retention failures in MY 2001-2004 Isuzu Rodeo, MY 2002-2004 Isuzu Axiom and MY 2001-2002 Honda Passport vehicles equipped with the same fuel tank shield part number as the Petitioner?s vehicle (the ?subject vehicles?). ODI notes that Isuzu manufactured the subject Passport vehicles for Honda. Isuzu implemented a change to the tank shield corrosion protection system as a running change in early MY 2002 production. Isuzu and Honda sold approximately 172,000 subject vehicles in the United States. Fifty-eight (58) percent of the subject vehicles were produced prior to the shield change (99,000) and 42 percent after the change (73,000).ODI?s analysis of field data identified 19 incidents of partial fuel tank detachments in the subject vehicles. The incidents all occurred in states with high road salt usage in winter months (Salt States) and involved older vehicles beyond 10-years in service. On average, the failures occurred in the vehicle?s 13th year-in-service. Evidence of severe general corrosion in multiple undercarriage components was also noted in 13 of the 19 vehicles that experienced partial fuel tank detachments. None of the incidents resulted in fuel leakage or fire. Aside from the petitioner?s vehicle, ODI has not identified any other incidents of complete or partial fuel tank detachment in the MY 2002-2004 subject vehicles equipped with the modified retention shield.In addition, ODI reviewed 24 the federal safety agency complaints alleging corrosion concerns with the fuel tank retention system in the subject vehicles that did not result in fuel tank detachment. Twenty-three (23) of these complaints involve subject vehicles built prior to the shield change. Like the vehicles reporting fuel tank detachments, these vehicles are also all from Salt States and, in most cases (20 of the 24 complaints), the vehicles also experienced severe corrosion concerns in other undercarriage components. Half (12 of the 24 complaints) of the vehicles show prior accident damage in their service histories.Based on these analyses, ODI has not identified evidence of a defect trend for premature corrosion-related fuel tank detachments in the MY 2004 Isuzu Rodeo or similarly equipped vehicles. The damage that may result in tank retention concerns appears to occur progressively over many years with ample opportunity for detection and repair. Furthermore, ODI has not identified any crashes, fires, injuries, or fuel leaks associated with fuel tank retention failures in a population of vehicles that currently range from 16 to 19 years old.Accordingly, the Agency is denying the petition.A summary of ODI?s analysis of this petition will be published in the Federal Register and is also available in the investigative file for this action.the federal safety agency consumer complaints counted in the closing resume for DP18-001 can be reviewed at under the following ODI identification numbers (VOQs in parentheses denote duplicate records): Allegations of fuel tank retention failure: 11084098 (11091788), 10532845, 10486109. Allegations of fuel tank retention component corrosion: 11138931, 10992150, 10845523,

DP18001

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo 50

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 50 bulletins for the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo

2003 Isuzu Rodeo fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.2L 4‑cylRWD16-1821-2218-19
3.2L 6‑cylRWD152117
3.2L 6‑cyl4WD15-1620-2117

What 2003 Isuzu Rodeo owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 7, 2018 · Fuel system · 150,000 miles · PA

This complaint is related to an ongoing investigation regarding fuel tank retention. The fuel tank shield on this vehicle is rotting away due to rust and one of the two fuel tank straps has already broken. There is no accesibility to an oem or aftermarket shield, the part is discontinued and aftermarket companies do not produce it as far as I can find. This is a serious safety concern, and it would be seriously expensive to get a new shield manufactured by a machine shop. Due to a lack of rodeo's on the road, there are no viable options I've found at local junkyards to get a replacement shield. When this vehicle was purchased recently I noticed the fuel tank corrosion but was unaware of the laxk of availability. This has turned into a much more worrysome and problematic issue than I originally thought it would be. I know this issue is being looked into already but I wanted to make sure my complaint was on file, and to possibly provide more insight as to why it's such a large issue. If the other strap breaks as well it will turn into a much more expensive repair.

Filed Mar 12, 2014 · Body · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 isuzu rodeo. The contact stated the frame was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.

Filed May 21, 2013 · Body · 88,000 miles · MA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 isuzu rodeo. The stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning, causing the contact to crash into a guard rail. There were no injuries. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was advised that the frame rail was rotten and caused the axle to detach from the frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

Filed Jan 7, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 207,000 miles · NH

Frame rust problem identical to the 2002 issue makes the vehicle unsafe to drive.

Filed May 19, 2010 · Body · 40,000 miles · IN

Severe rust and corrosion of frame. 2003 isuzu rodeo.

Filed Sep 25, 2009 · Transmission · 84,953 miles · TX

The "u" bracket which prevents the drive shaft from falling down broke off and slid down the shaft and wore the shaft down and making the car undrivable.

Filed Aug 20, 2008 · Engine · 34,000 miles · IA

03 isuzu rodeo 3.2l burning excessive amount of oil. Takes a quart every 250 miles. Done everything recommended at the recommended intervals, oil changes, egr valve, pcv valve, ect. I am very good about changing recommended parts when needed. This engine should not be taking oil. I do not tow or rev over 5,000 RPM, ever! Other isuzu owners have also expressed concerns about this to me, this seems to be a fairly common problem with the isuzu engine. I now need to replace the engine at a cost of 3,000 plus installation labor charges. This is the third rodeo I have had, good luck with the other two, but not this one. If this cannot be resolved, I will purchase another model in the future.

Filed Mar 14, 2006 · Fuel system · TX

Consumer has tried to have recall work performed on vehicle and has been told that there is no parts. *ts recall #05v466000.

Filed Oct 18, 2005 · Acceleration · 10,251 miles · FL

Dt: 2003 isuzu rodeo. The contact stated the vehicle died while in motion. No warning lights came on . The whole dashboard panel started blinking. This occurred in september 2004. The vehicle was taken to the dealership , they changed the odometer sensor. The vehicle worked for a while after that. The vehicle was taken to the dealership again in october 2004, and they changed the same part. The part worked from then until september 2005. The vehicle was taken to the dealership again and they replaced the same part. The vehicle was taken to dealer a fourth time, and they sprayed silicone around the part. The dealership stated there was water inside the speed sensor connector.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Brakes, Suspension · 42,898 miles · CA

Dt: the contact's mother had bought a car on 9-23-05, and she experienced a lot of problems. The brakes were grinding and squealing. The alignment was severely off, and the car pulled to the right. The steering wheel was out of center. When the car came to a complete stop at any speed the front wheels stopped, and it felt like something was hitting the rear of the car. The dealership took it and fixed nine things regarding the wheels, the brakes and other things. She was not sure exactly. The dealership could not find the motion in the rear of the car. She wanted a new car. A mechanic at the dealership told the manager that the car was unsafe.

Compare the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo

Other model years

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Questions about the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo

Is the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo reliable?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo, fewer than a typical Rodeo model year.

What is the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo year score?

The 2003 Isuzu Rodeo scores 86 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Isuzu Rodeo: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo?

Body and structure, with 4 complaints. Next is engine (4).

How many recalls does the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo have?

3 recalls, covering suspension, fuel system, gasoline and service brakes, hydraulic.

What year does the Isuzu Rodeo have the most body problems?

The Isuzu Rodeo model years with the most body complaints are 2001 (214 complaints), 2000 (84 complaints) and 1999 (72 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo get?

Official estimates for the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo range from 17 to 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 16-18 city and 21-22 highway.

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