Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2003 Isuzu Rodeo: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo, most recently filed October 2013. Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2003 Isuzu Rodeo. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V547000 Filed Oct 31, 2013

Rear Suspension Corrosion

Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
18.5% repairedof 8,816 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V547000
Listed for 2003 Isuzu Rodeo. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 05V466000 Filed Oct 7, 2005

FUEL PUMP

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported15,515 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 05V466000
Listed for 2003 Isuzu Rodeo. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 03V390000 Filed Oct 10, 2003

ISUZU/FMVSS 101/BRAKE WARNING LAMP

Service brakes, hydraulic · brake fluid low warning · lamp
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Repair progress not yet reported55 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V390000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (16)

16 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.

2involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 16.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2003 compares with other Rodeo years

Best and worst Rodeo years →
1996199719981999200020012002200320042008
This year (2003)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 19 mpg combined

19
mpg combined
18
city
22
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,550
CO₂ tailpipe
468 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$3,437per year
$286per month
789gallons a year

Miles ÷ 19 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2003 Isuzu Rodeo configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive18 / 22 / 19$3,550468
2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18$3,700494
3.2 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17$3,950523
3.2 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17$3,950523
3.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 20 / 17$3,950523

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2003 Rodeo for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Rodeo years

Where to next

2003 Isuzu Rodeo FAQ

How many recalls does the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 13V547000 (suspension), 05V466000 (fuel pump), 03V390000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2003 Isuzu Rodeo problems?

Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (4), Structure (4), Power train (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo get?

EPA rates the 2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 18 city, 22 highway and 19 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2003 Rodeo compare with other years?

Among the 1996–2008 Isuzu Rodeo model years at least five years old, the 2008 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1999 the most (550). The 2003 drew 16. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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