Check a VIN

Isuzu Rodeo grinding brakes problems

55 of the 2,474 owner complaints about the Isuzu Rodeo describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 1998 model year.

owner complaints
55
worst model year
1998
typical mileage
52,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed May 30, 2017 · Fuel system · 111,000 miles · IN

I drive a 2001 isuzu rodeo. It has approximately 111,000 miles on it and is in great shape. It is garaged year-round in south bend, indiana. I started hearing a grinding noise and pulled over to the side of the road. Upon looking under my vehicle I was shocked to find the shield that covers the plastic gas tank was rotted through. The entire bottom of the gas tank is now visible and the shield is the part that holds it in place. I went to a mechanic immediately and had the car looked at. When the mechanic put the car on the lift he saw extensive rust and some rot under the vehicle on the frame. He stated that I would need to replace the shield. As of right now it is unsafe to drive due to the gas tanks shield being rotted out. The mechanic tried to order me a replacement but his supplier said the parts are no longer being made. The only way I could get one would be from a junk yard and most of the parts in there would most likely be rotted as well. And feel wronged by isuzu. I would like to file this complaint against them and expect a resolution as soon as possible. I would be perfectly happy getting the car fixed, but I do not want to wait months for that to happen. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Filed May 3, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · 143,000 miles · OK

I purchased my 2001 isuzu rodeo used in april 2012, about a week after I had the vehicle it started stalling out while I was driving, loosing complete power for a few moments then would jerk and continue going. I also noticed when I would hit a small bump and try to apply the brakes I heard a grinding noise and it would not stop for a few feet, even with the brake all the way to the floor. Also when I stop I hear a popping noise in the rear, everytime I stop. Now the vehicle is completely dying at random times. It will die when I am on the interstate going a steady speed, or accelerating. Also when I come close to a complete stop to turn the vehicle will die. I put it in neutral and it starts right back up and jerks while speeding up. I have almost t-boned someone due to the car dying and the loss of power steering. Also I have almost been rear ended numerous times because of the car stalling out and also dying. Also after having the car a couple weeks the speedometer and odometer quit working and the light for the speedometer will not work either.

Filed Sep 14, 2010 · Body · 104,449 miles · NH

Friday morning the 3rd of september I was driving to work when my isuzu rodeo started to pull to the left and the right. I noticed the steering wheel alignment was way off. When the pulling left and right stopped the steering wheel was back in alignment. I had plans to pick up a u-haul trailer and help my daughter to move into her apartment over the weekend for college. I left work and went to the bank for some money to help with travel costs. During the ride to the bank I kept questioning myself and the safety of the vehicle for the long journey to boston. As I was leaving the bank parking lot and turning onto rt16 white mountain highway I heard what sounded like a grinding, tearing sound. I immediately pulled over and inspected the car but didn't see any thing out of ordinary. I got back in the car and headed down white mountain highway. I was going about 35-40 MPH when all of a sudden the car started jerking violently all over the road. I was on a two lane highway and barely avoided a head on collision. I had little to no control of the vehicle other then the brakes and was at the mercy of the vehicle until it slowed down and then I was able to steer the vehicle. After the car came to a rest I managed to slowly pull the vehicle into a parking lot. I got out of the car and again inspected the car for damage and noticed the rear stabilizer arm had rusted off the vehicle. I thank god that 1. I didn't get into an accident and 2. That it happened when it did and not driving down the road to boston at 60 - 65 MPH. If this would have happened while pulling a trailer at those speeds I believe the three of us traveling in the vehicle would have been killed or seriously injured and any one else in close proximity would have been killed or seriously injured. If this is not acted on and taken care of soon someone or someone's somewhere will be seriously injured or killed.

Filed Aug 12, 2010 · Body · 117,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 isuzu rodeo. The contact stated that while driving out of a gas station a grinding noise was in the rear of the vehicle. When the contact looked at the back of the vehicle, she noticed that the rear wheel well had fallen on top of the rear tire. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who stated that the rear suspension and frame were completely covered with rust. The contact was unable to drive the vehicle. The failure mileage and current mileages were 117,000.

Filed Jun 22, 2010 · Body, Fuel system · 111,280 miles · MA

I drive a 2001 isuzu rodeo 4x4. It has approximately 111,000 miles on it and is in great shape. It is garaged year-round in taunton massachusetts. On monday june 21, 2010 I was driving home from work on route 44 in rehoboth massachusetts. I started hearing a grinding noise and pulled over to the side of the road. Upon looking under my vehicle I was shocked to find the shield that covers the plastic gas tank was rotted through. The entire bottom of the gas tank is now visible and the shield is the part that holds it in place. I went to a mechanic immediately and had the car looked at. When the mechanic put the car on the lift he saw extensive rust and some rot under the vehicle on the frame. He stated that I would be lucky to get 2 more years of use out of the rodeo before it would be totally rotted out. As of right now it is unsafe to drive due to the gas tanks shield being rotted out. The mechanic tried to order me a replacement but his supplier said the parts are no longer being made. The only way I could get one would be from a junk yard and most of the parts in there would most likely be rotted as well. I have two children, ages 12 and 8 ; I do not feel that I should have to drive them around in this car and feel wronged by isuzu. I would like to file this complaint against them and expect a resolution as soon as possible. I would be perfectly happy getting the car fixed, but I do not want to wait months for that to happen. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Filed Mar 29, 2010 · Body · 128,000 miles · PA

I was driving my 2001 isuzu rodeo when I noticed that the rear of the car was "sliding" from left to right upon accelerating. I heard a loud grinding noise comming from under the car. I pulled off the road and looked under the car. I noticed that the left rear traction bar had broken away from the frame due to exxesive rust on the frame.

Filed Mar 8, 2010 · Body · 86,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 isuzu rodeo. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH the contact heard a squeaking noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact looked underneath the vehicle and notice the frame has a significant amount of rust. The contact stated their is nothing holding the frame to the vehicle. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the rust on the frame and the manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not under warranty so their was nothing they could do. A local mechanic informed the contact that the frame was un-repairable. The failure mileage was 86,000.

Filed Apr 28, 2009 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 isuzu rodeo. While braking and attempting to stop the vehicle, acceleration occurs and the vehicle makes a grinding noise at the same time. The failure has been occurring for months. A new ABS was installed, but the grinding noise persists. The contact called the isuzu manufacturer and was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic. The dealer suggested that the brake booster may have a hole in it and needed to be changed; however, this was not the case. The dealer stated that they could not remedy the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000 and current mileage was 100,000.

Filed Apr 9, 2009 · Body · 118,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 isuzu rodeo. While driving approximately 25 MPH on normal road conditions, the vehicle automatically pulled to the right without assistance. The contact experienced difficulty steering in the desired direction. The vehicle and steering wheel made an excessively loud grinding noise and vibration. There were no warnings prior to the failure. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. He observed complete detachment of the rear passenger stabilizing arm. The vehicle was cautiously driven to his residence. The vehicle is currently inoperable and has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 118,000. Updated 5/6/09 *cn the consumer stated the vehicle has not been driven. The frame is too corroded to repair. The bracket weld does not penetrate width of the metal. Updated 05/08/09.*jb the consumer said that it felt like the vehicle on "on ice" while the incident occurred. He still have the vehicle and is available for testing if the federal safety agency desires. Updated 05/12/09.

Filed Feb 7, 2008 · Brakes · 38 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 isuzu rodeo. While braking at low speeds, the ABS sporadically engages and causes the vehicle to dramatically accelerate forward. The failure is accompanied by a loud grinding noise with excessive vibration. After the vehicle moves forward for approximately 5 feet, it stops. She took the vehicle to a local mechanic and they replaced all the wheel sensors. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 02i002000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock), even though the failures were identical. The contact would have to repair the vehicle at her own expense, which could cost more than $1,000. The failure mileage was 38 and current mileage is 90,000. Updated 03-04-08

Related recalls

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

Questions about the Isuzu Rodeo grinding brakes

Which Isuzu Rodeo years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1998 (13 complaints), 1999 (12 complaints) and 2001 (11 complaints).

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Isuzu Rodeo?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history