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2003 Isuzu Rodeo

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Rodeo.

Body SUV

The 2003 Isuzu Rodeo is an SUV that marked a middle chapter in the model's long production run, and while it shares the body style and rugged character of its predecessors, the 2003 model year demonstrates a notable improvement in owner satisfaction compared to earlier iterations, with only 16 total complaints recorded against it—dwarfed by the 579 complaints logged at the model's trouble spot in 1999—with engine and engine cooling issues representing the most frequent concern among the relatively small sample of dissatisfied owners, and three recalls issued for the model year indicating some factory-level defects were nonetheless identified; this complaint figure positions the 2003 Rodeo firmly on an improving trend that would continue toward the model's lowest complaint count of just one in 2008, suggesting that while not without flaws, this model year benefited from the manufacturer's later refinements and represents a comparatively more reliable iteration within the Rodeo's 1991-2008 model span.

Model year20032002200119951994199319921991

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F U.S. · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 8192102840. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F U.S. · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter8192102840 alt 8944567412
Engine air filter2908429010
Fuel filter8251211130
Spark plug8971259690 alt 8971702680
Front wiper blades8972402562
Serpentine belt8920634030 alt 2906629000
Thermostat8973628940 alt 8091570010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length177.6 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height69.3 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight4193 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 in the differential, GM Part No. 12377967 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidGM Part No. 12377967
Differential Gear Oil80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.8 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Transfer Case Fluid5W-30
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1 Pint

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings40 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts40 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts42 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)49.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket113.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle22.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket73.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts87 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugTOD: 29.0, Shift on the fly: 58 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugTOD: 29.0, Shift on the fly: NS ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing16, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing16, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.54 lbs
Oil TypeAIPDN Part No. 2-90188-301-0, or equivalent.
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Optional BCI Group Number27F Canada
Optional BCI Cranking Performance625 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24F U.S.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature198 °F
Pressure Test22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature166-183 °F
Pressure Test22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-17 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH 11 inch.6 DRUM / WITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs / 33 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs / 115 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH 11 inch.6 DRUM / WITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs / 33 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs / 115 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4537 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
247
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4536 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level)
At 15,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miBody Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Bushing (lubricate) · Clutch Pedal Clevis Pin (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Clutch Hydraulic Line (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Radiator (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect)
Every 75,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 Isuzu Rodeo sits near the end of a generation that peaked in reported problems between 1998 and 2001, when complaints ranged from 290 to 579 and recalls reached as high as six per year. By 2003, owner complaints had dropped sharply to just 16—the lowest volume of any model year in the record except 2008—while recalls stood at three, investigations at one, and TSBs at 50. That recall count is proportionally high relative to complaints, though the data does not specify root causes or whether those recalls overlap with prior model years. The leading 2003 complaint categories were Engine & Engine Cooling (4), Structure (3), Power Train (2), and Fuel/Propulsion System (1), with two crash-related complaints and no fire complaints. Compared with 2002 (101 complaints) and 2004 (39 complaints), 2003 represents a low-complaint point in the model's later years, but the sustained TSB count and three recalls show it was not entirely free of manufacturer attention. Overall, the federal record suggests 2003 is one of the better years in this generation to buy, provided a buyer verifies that all applicable recalls have been completed.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
50
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
16
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’08

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 16 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling4
Structure3
Power Train2
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Suspension,Structure1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Suspension,Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

03V390000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Brake Fluid Low Warning: LampReported 10/10/2003

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… Remedy: THE DIODES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.

13V547000Suspension:RearReported 31/10/2013

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 50 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
IB13-R-001G2023-05-08Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the…
WB13-X-001B2022-08-30EquipmentIsuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural…
WB13-X-001A2022-08-02EquipmentIsuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural…
IB09-X-002B2022-07-20EquipmentThe following is a list of the Isuzu-recommended Threebond product part numbers…
IB09-X-004C2022-07-20Engine And Engine CoolingThe Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) Service Technical Assistance Center (TAC)…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Rodeo. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 24F batteryEngine oil filter 8192102840Engine air filter 2908429010Fuel filter 8251211130Spark plug 8971259690

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2003 Rodeo have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.