2002 Isuzu Rodeo

The 2002 Isuzu Rodeo sits at a notable inflection point in this generation's federal record, as complaints dropped sharply to 101 from 442 in 2001, continuing a decline from the generation's peak trouble years of 1998–1999 (513 and 579 complaints, respectively). Recalls fell to 2, matching the lower end of the generation's range, though investigations held steady at 3—identical to 2001—indicating NHTSA scrutiny had not fully abated. The top complaint areas for 2002 were Structure (20), Power Train (16), Suspension (11), and Engine & Engine Cooling (11), with 8 crash-related complaints and 1 fire complaint recorded; the data does not specify root causes for these. The generation's arc shows a dramatic mid-life spike in complaints, recalls, and TSBs beginning in 1998, followed by a gradual tapering through 2002 and into 2003 (just 16 complaints), suggesting either engineering corrections or waning sales volume—or both. The 2002 model benefits from being past the worst of the generation's documented problems, but the persistent investigation count and the breadth of complaint categories mean it is not risk-free. **Takeaway:** The 2002 Rodeo is a reasonable used buy relative to the troubled 1998–2001 period, but verify recall completion and scrutinize the structure, powertrain, and suspension closely before purchasing.