Model year guide

1997 Isuzu Rodeo

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

1997 Isuzu Rodeo — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Isuzu Rodeo at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints123
Combined15–18 mpg

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

1997 Isuzu Rodeo recalls 1

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E065000 · 17/07/2006

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. 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.

1997 Isuzu Rodeo common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 123 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

1997 Isuzu Rodeo safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1997 Isuzu Rodeo 4-DR. 4x4. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1997 Isuzu Rodeo MPG & running costs

Combined15–18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway18 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,200
EPA size classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$9,000 more

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.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,000
Fuel only$21,000
Per mile$0.28

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.

Dimensions & weight

Length
184.6 in
Width
68.5 in
Height
66.5 in
Wheelbase
108.7 in
Curb weight
4,116 lb
Front track
56.7 in
Rear track
57.1 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1997 Isuzu Rodeo. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 14

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 14.

This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The Exchange Program must be used when any Alpine radio or other component covered by this bulletin is repaired under warranty and may also be used for radio…

Bulletin IB13-R-001G · May 2023

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts War…

Bulletin WB13-X-001B · Equipment · Aug 2022

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts War…

Bulletin WB13-X-001A · Equipment · Aug 2022

TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT

Bulletin 0305S001 · Power Train · May 2003

TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE). *TT

Bulletin 0205S003 · Power Train · Dec 2002

SOME V6 MODELS WITH TRANSMISSION SERIAL NUMBERS 4754596 - 5831756 MAY EXPERIENCE LEAKAGE IN THE AREA OF OVERFILL PLUG AND OIL DRAIN PLUG. *TT

Bulletin SB0105S001 · Power Train · May 2001

SOME 1997 AND EARLIER VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION OF TICKING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE VALVETRAIN DURING NORMAL OPERATION. *TT

Bulletin SB0001S002 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2000

ON SOME 1997 AND PRIOR MODELS, A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE COOLANT LEAKAGE MAY BE PRESENT NEAR THE HEATER CORE AREA. *TT

Bulletin SB0012S001 · Visibility · Feb 2000

SOME AFTERMARKET TINT INSTALLERS MAY SCRATCH THE HEATING ELEMENT (DEFROSTER LINES) OR ETCH THE GLASS (START OF THE BREAK AREA) DURING INSTALLATION, FROM AFFIXING AFTERMARKET FILM TINT MATERIAL TO THE TAILGATE GLASS. *TT

Bulletin IB00S009 · Visibility · Feb 2000

INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHOR KIT. *TT

Bulletin SB9914S007 · Seats · Apr 1999

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the RODEO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Isuzu Rodeo

The Isuzu Rodeo is an automotive nameplate that was used by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Isuzu between 1988 and 2004. Isuzu has utilized the "Rodeo" name on two different vehicles—a compact pickup truck sold in Japan, and a midsize SUV offered in North America.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1997 Isuzu Rodeo trims & engines on record

Trims
LS · S
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl

1997 Isuzu Rodeo vehicles on record

1997 Isuzu Rodeo 1997 Isuzu Rodeo LS4S2CK58V9V4307854 1997 Isuzu Rodeo 1997 Isuzu Rodeo S4S2CM58V6V4346945 1997 Isuzu Rodeo 1997 Isuzu Rodeo4S2CM58WXW4301792

Other Isuzu Rodeo model years

2012 2011 2010 2009 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992

1997 Isuzu Rodeo — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Isuzu Rodeo have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1997 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 done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Isuzu Rodeo?

Across all 123 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, engine and engine cooling, wheels.

What is the 1997 Isuzu Rodeo safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1997 Isuzu Rodeo crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Isuzu Rodeo get?

The 1997 Isuzu Rodeo has U.S. EPA estimates of 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (5 versions).

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