Model year guide

1998 Isuzu Rodeo

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 11 on record.

1998 Isuzu Rodeo — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Isuzu Rodeo at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints513
Combined16–20 mpg
Typical price$1,243

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 Isuzu Rodeo recalls 6

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip NHTSA Campaign #02I002000 · 03/06/2002

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), THE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES IN CERTAIN TYPES OF BRAKING EVENTS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT COMPUTER ALGORITHM FOR THE ABS THAT IS BASED ON THE ALGORITHM USED IN ISUZU'S MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES, WHICH HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM. THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES, WITH THE MY 1998 2WD VEHICLES COVERED FIRST, SINCE THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE MOST P…

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #00V058000 · 02/03/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. PAINT WAS APPLIED UNEVENLY ON THE REAR AXLES, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT PAINT HARDNESS. SHOULD THIS OCCUR ON THE SURFACE THAT CONTACTS THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK BRACKET BOLT HEAD AND/OR NUT, THE NUT MAY LOOSEN.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK JOINT NUT AND BOLT.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #01I002000 · 29/05/2001

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1998-2000 RODEO (UE) AND AMIGO (UA) MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L 4-CYLINDER ENGINES. THE TIMING BELT COULD BREAK BEFORE THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE.

Fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF THE TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TIMING BELT. DEPENDING ON THE CONDITION OR MODEL OF THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER, THE TENSIONER MAY ALSO BE REPLACED. ISUZU HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE T…

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood NHTSA Campaign #98V170000 · 24/07/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. A GROUND CONNECTION TERMINAL WAS NOT PROPERLY CRIMPED IN THE SUPPLIER'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MANUFACTURING LINE. THIS IMPROPER CRIMPING PROCESS CAN LEAVE AN IMPRESSION ON THE TERMINAL THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A STRESS FRACTURE. S

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.

Unknown Or Other NHTSA Campaign #97V206001 · 13/11/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER'S SIDE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT RUBBER FLOOR MAT. REPEATED MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVER'S FEET AND ACTUATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN RESULT IN A SHIFTING OF THE MAT'S POSITION. THIS SHIFTING CAN CAUSE AN INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Fix: ISUZU IS ASKING FOR THE RETURN OF THE FLOOR MAT SET AND WILL REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THE COST OF THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT SET ALONG WITH ANY RETURN SHIPPING COSTS.

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #10V436000 · 22/09/2010

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, IN…

Fix: 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 …

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1998 Isuzu Rodeo common problems

Owners have filed 513 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.

1998 Isuzu Rodeo MPG & running costs

Combined16–20 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,930

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$1,243
High
$3,000

From 7 comparable 1998 Isuzu Rodeo listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,650
Fuel only$19,650
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1998 Isuzu Rodeo trims & engines on record

Trims
S · LS
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl

1998 Isuzu Rodeo vehicles on record

Other Isuzu Rodeo model years

1998 Isuzu Rodeo — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo?

Owners have filed 513 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are structure, suspension, service brakes.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Isuzu Rodeo get?

The 1998 Isuzu Rodeo has U.S. EPA estimates of 16–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (5 versions).

How much is a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo worth?

Comparable 1998 Isuzu Rodeo listings run roughly $500–$3,000, typically around $1,243 (from 7 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.